Celebration Baptist Church- Tallahassee, FL

The people around us are always watching. They look at our actions just as much as they listen to our words. They long to see people who live consistently with what they claim to believe. They are looking for integrity. How can I model the value of obeying God? How can I show your family the power of obeying God even when it doesn’t seem to make sense? How do I show them personal holiness? Join Pastor David as he talks with retired college football coach, Mark Richt, about the value and impact that showing integrity can have on our own lives, and those watching us. Mark Richt is a retired American football head coach, former player, and television analyst. He was the head football coach at the University of Georgia for 15 years and at the University of Miami, his alma mater, for three. His teams won two Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships, five SEC division titles, and one Atlantic Coast Conference division title. He was a two-time SEC Coach of the Year (2002, 2005), the 2017 ACC Coach of the Year, and the winner of the national 2017 Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award. Richt played college football as a quarterback at Miami. As an assistant coach, he spent 14 years at Florida State University, where he served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bobby Bowden, and a year as offensive coordinator at East Carolina University.

Parent Podcast is a discussion about our next sermon series and lessons at Celebration. Join Pastor Tommy and team as they walk through our lessons on Family Vision, highlight upcoming events, and have a great discussion with James Banks. James is a pastor, author, and speaker from Durham, NC. Check out the books we will be giving out to moms on Mother's Day at https://www.jamesbanks.org/books/. Register for Family Outdoor Day at https://bit.ly/2PB26KE. Learn more about Adventure Week and register at https://icelebration.org/adventureweek.

Pastor David’s Challenge A few years ago, Pam & I decided to change our lifestyle so that our budget would be oriented toward giving rather than spending. We downsized our home, eliminated some hobbies and made other changes that freed up our income. The end result was a greater level of giving than we ever thought possible. As always, Jesus is right when he said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) As you contemplate your own growth in giving during Live Boldly, consider the following steps. If you’ve never given to your church before, making a first time gift is an obvious place to start. Say you give occasionally- set a goal to give consistently. Ready for another step? The Bible talks frequently about giving of your first fruits. That’s farmer-speak for giving the first dollars from each paycheck. Think of the impact you could have if you started giving electronically each payday! How about setting a goal to give 10% of your income by the end of Live Boldly. Imagine the influence on your own children as they watch you rearrange your priorities to make tithing a reality in your home. Maybe you’ve experienced a financial windfall. It could be a modest amount like a favorable tax refund or a large amount like an inheritance. Think of the influence those resources might have both here in Tallahassee and around the world.

Trusting the Supplier by Natalie Thomas, Business Administer In order for my husband and I to go beyond our tithes, we had to reexamine our budget or what we call our spending plan. Since we felt that God had already given us an amount to increase our tithe by, I had the task of making it work in our spending plan. Since our monthly income for the most part didn’t really change, I took a look at all of our expenses to see what we might reduce. By reducing expenses we actually saved more than the amount of our planned increase in our giving. Now our spending plan lists our tithe first, then our beyond amount, and so on. Our giving process all started with us being obedient to the Word and I challenge you to take a step of faith and test God with your tithes and even beyond. What a blessing it has been for me and my family to bless our church that in return blesses so many other people. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. – 2 Corinthians 9:10

Taking the Next Step by Natalie Thomas, Business Administer My husband and I had joined Celebration the summer of 2016 at the start of a church stewardship Initiative. During that time, the congregation was challenged to increase their giving. Pastor Emmert used a ladder in his presentation and asked everyone to take a step up the ladder. He encouraged them to make that first step on the ladder and give something. If you were giving, but not regularly, he encouraged you to take the next step to become a consistent giver. Since my family was already tithing, our next step was going beyond the tithe. Pastor Emmert asked us to really pray about what God was calling us to give, so we did just that. We prayed and felt that God gave us an amount. This was the first time that we gave above our tithes on a monthly basis. Sure, we gave to special offerings, but were never intentional in giving beyond our tithes on a regular basis. God was true to his word and opened up the floodgates, which ultimately made room for us to go beyond. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-11 (emphasis added).

Test God? by Natalie Thomas, Business Administer When I was in college I made the decision to test God with my tithes. I didn’t have much money in college. Like most college students, I had limited income to cover my bills. My pastor at the time would go to Malachi each Sunday during offering to remind us about what God said about giving your tithes and to test God. Malachi 3:10 is a unique verse in the Bible, for in it God grants us permission to test Him in regards to tithing. Since I was a college student I knew all too well what a test meant, which was very interesting to me, the choice of words. One Sunday I decided to test God and have been testing him ever since. It’s really been a test for me as well, particularly in the hard times. It was in those hard times, like when the economy took a dive in 2008. My husband had to change jobs because no one was buying cars, but we continued to tithe. God provided for us in those difficult times, not just financially, but with good health, peace of mind, and unspeakable joy. To this day we are still testing God with our tithes and his word has not returned void.

The Generosity Connection by Warren Halstrom, Worship Pastor I am a worshiper. Lavish expressions of worship particularly through worship music are second nature to me. As I grew in my walk with the Lord, it became apparent I needed to understand the connection between worship and generosity. Surely they are connected. Wouldn’t a person with the greatest passion toward Christ also excel in generosity? While it was a new realization, it was obvious that if I was to grow in my relationship and walk with Christ, I absolutely needed to become generous, regardless of how unnatural it felt. A funny thing happened to me along the way to understanding and practicing generosity. My perspective on prayer took on a whole new meaning. Diverse areas of my spiritual life began to improve and I became a better person. I am certainly still on the journey, but without question, my personal investment in the understanding and practice of generosity may be the wisest thing I’ve ever done. Have you ever taken the time to seek out training on being generous? Sounds kind of funny but there may be uncharted territory in your life ready to be unlocked if you’re willing to turn a light on this part of your life. Take a few minutes to do an inventory on your own passion for generosity and willingness to have God lead you in this area.

The Gift of Grace By Warren Halstrom, Worship Pastor When I became a Christian as a senior in high school, I faced the rather unpleasant reality that I had some considerable deficits in my character. I really didn’t care about others… at all. My orientation toward the idea of forgiveness came suddenly and unexpectedly because right around the time I accepted the Lord, my dad left my mom. I vacillated between self-righteousness and the truth that I had just been given the greatest gift anyone could receive, the gift of grace. Of course, grace comes with an obligation, to forgive others, just as I had been forgiven. That was hard, especially for me at that stage of my life. I carried much of my self-centered worldview into my new life in Christ. Then I married Shelly. Her family background is replete with selfless “others-centered” people with a track record of helping others as long as life itself. As I observed her heart for others and consistent acts of kindness, I became aware that you’re, at the very least, supposed to notice others, observe their needs, and seek to do your best to help out, even at the expense of your time, comfort level and money. While the journey was to be long, my first steps had begun. Are there first steps regarding Christian character that you need to take? What has God revealed to you about areas in your life that need change? Take some time now to ask God for the wisdom to see an area of shortcoming in your own character, and the willingness to take strides toward Christlikeness, that you may be a greater witness for Him.

Why sign up to serve? by Tommy Hendricks, Family Pastor I was single, adventurous, and was ready to travel and see where God would take me. I got the experience of a lifetime, skills I would use in ministry, and even met my wife. I have challenged each of my seven children to take trips and adventures to serve in various ways. There is no doubt that serving at home and abroad helps shape your worldview. I knew that God had called me to minister and serve, and during these three years God not only provided but equipped me for the next season of my life. I have now served 25 years in the local church and those three years serving as a missionary gave me the experience and foundation I’m still building on today. We are all challenged to serve as believers in Christ. Sometimes that could mean moving or taking a trip that will change our lives. But it could mean serving in our local church and making a difference right where we live. I challenge you to take a step of faith and find your place of service in the local church or even as a missionary. Whether you’re single or married, life is too short to miss out on the adventures that God has in store for us. Sign up today to serve in your Jerusalem, Judea, or even Waterloo, IA (uttermost parts of the Earth). Are you ready to sign up? If you are already serving, thank you for sharing your gifts with the body.

The How by Tommy Hendricks, Family Pastor My friends back home wondered how I would make ends meet and if serving like this would be worth it. I was paid $60 per week and was supposed to be provided food and lodging. I ended up living in the church. They set up a bed in one of the Sunday school rooms, brought me weekly groceries, and I had access to the baptistery as my personal bathtub. I’m happy to admit that I never bathed in the baptistery, I ended up getting a gym membership at the local YMCA and that is where I took my daily showers. My first Sunday we only had five people and it was about 5 degrees outside. I would discover that this was the average attendance and temperature at Waterloo Baptist Church. I led the worship, the pastor preached, we had a paid pianist, and then one couple, David and Carolyn Newcomb. We sang, took an offering, and the preacher preached. It was like being in the twilight zone. During my time I would serve as the worship leader, youth and children’s pastor, and the janitor. David and Carolyn were more than a blessing to me and took me to the local buffet every Sunday to make sure I was being fed well. After Iowa I was moved to Charleston, SC and San Diego, CA. I ended my third year serving with a traveling creative arts mission team based out of Atlanta. With Missions USA we lived on the road for one year driving from event to event and just about every day did shows at churches, colleges, schools, and anywhere that would have us. We spread the word about missions and encouraged people to sign up for mission opportunities. I can honestly say that God more than provided for my needs during these years. I slept on couches, hotels, host homes, and even churches. There was always food to eat, a little money in my pocket, and I never really lacked for any basic needs. It was time spent trusting God for my daily provisions and meeting people that would change my life from one journey to the next. What is holding you back from serving? How has God made it possible for you to use your gifts serving in our local church?

The Call by Tommy Hendricks, Family Pastor I was just a few weeks from my college graduation and I was excited about my next phase of life. While all my buddies were getting married or finding jobs, I had signed up to be a semester missionary and planned to serve the next few years around the country. I had no idea what was in store, but I was ready to travel and explore ministry opportunities. I had found out about mission opportunities through my college Baptist Student Union. I had been serving at a local church and had been on many short-term mission trips, but I looked forward to this new adventure and leaving Oklahoma. I was sitting on the couch in the BSU at the University of Central Oklahoma waiting to hear the response from our Home Mission Board. I had the opportunity to select a few areas and types of ministry I was interested in, but my assignment that I got was not even on the list. The phone call came and I learned I had been assigned to a small church in Waterloo, Iowa, in a very unchurched area. I packed my bags, bought some cold weather clothes, and took my very first airplane ride from Oklahoma City to Waterloo, IA. We had one layover and my second flight was a very small passenger plane. The kind where you can see the pilot and there were only about 8 people on the plane. We flew through a snowstorm and I quickly discovered why the little white baggie was placed in the seat pocket in front of me. Let’s just say I filled up the bag and praised God when we finally landed. I would have kissed the ground when I got off, but there was about two feet of snow. The guy who picked me up was a friend of one of the church members and was chosen because he had a big truck that could safely deliver me back to the church. I would only see him one more time in the next five months. But I was glad that I had answered the call and I was ready to serve in whatever I was asked to do. Have you ever thought about short-term missions? Taking a mission trip? What would you say that God is calling you to do to answer the “call?”