DeSoto Hills Baptist Church

Family Time This Summer

Marc — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:59:52 +0000

At this juncture in my life I’ve observed that my body is moving a little slower, yet my watch seems to be moving a little faster. How time flies. It’s hard to believe that Summer 2012 is upon us. School is about out, Memorial Day is almost here, Vacation Bible School is just around the corner, and some daily routines may be changing up a bit. In order to give you a little extra “family time”, we are once again altering our schedule by canceling our Sunday evening services for June and July. The staff has developed a devotional guide for the summer that we encourage you share together with you family on Sunday evenings in lieu of regular services. They will be available in the Grand Hall starting Sunday, May 27. Mark July 1^st on your calendar for our annual Sunday afternoon summer picnic, Salute to Summer. Sunday night services will resume on August 5 as a part of our one day revival with Jim Futral and Graham Smith. It will be an ideal way to crank things back up. AWANA resumes on August 13^th, as well Sunday nights back in the Attic. However, before our summer schedule starts, we have one more service in the Attic tonight with a finger food fellowship and good old Bluegrass music! Don’t miss it.

Bro. James

Click here to register for VBS

Tony Gray — Sat, 12 May 2012 18:31:13 +0000

Register Now for June 11-15

Tony Gray — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:20:40 +0000

Petunias???

Marc — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:32:06 +0000

Well, it was a typical Saturday. We were pretty busy doing the things that there never seems to be enough time to do throughout the week. You’ve all been there. We try to make Saturday a fruitful day without the tight “got to be somewhere else” syndrome that seems to typify our weekdays. Anyway, on this particular Saturday both babies had dropped by which is always a treat. Oh, yeah… their parents showed up too. We have a new rule… don’t show up at BoBo’s house without the babies. This is a major no, no! Well, I guess it’s more of a strong suggestion. We made plans to meet Riley’s parents at our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch. We normally enjoy cooking on Saturday, but we were knee deep in cleaning the garage, so going out sounded like a winner. We jumped in Kathy’s car and headed north on Getwell. Just before we got to Goodman Road, a small truck pulled right beside us and blew his horn. I looked toward the driver and he pointed to the back of our car, then proceeded to drive on. I checked to see if any of the “door open” signs were flashing on the dash and they weren’t. It puzzled me, but I just decided to drive on to the restaurant since it wasn’t far away. When we arrived, we discovered the reason for the honk. When Kathy had backed her car out to work on the garage, she got a little too close to some of our flowers. The bumper had hooked a hanging pot of petunias that were sitting on the ground. We had somehow managed to drag them all the way from our house to the restaurant. It must have been a sight to behold. Surprisingly, they were in pretty good shape after such an ordeal. They are now sitting at the edge of our drive in their brand new pot. Learn from the preacher…the next time someone honks at you and points toward the back of your car, you might want to stop sooner rather than later. You never know when there are some petunias hanging on for dear life.

On the road again,

Bro. James

Save A Life

Marc — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 01:33:33 +0000

A mild winter has now turned into a very early spring. All of God’s creation seems to be budding into new life. You can see it in the colors, feel it in the air, and hear it all around you as birds, frogs, and insects lend their voices to a chorus of praise for this new season. It is a perfect time of year for me to remind you that there is a special place in DeSoto County that celebrates life every day of the year regardless of what the weather is outside. The Care Pregnancy Resource Center in Southaven has been a haven of hope for the past five years offering counseling and other resources for unwed teenagers. They are a nonprofit organization supported by private funding. If you would like to be a part of this life altering ministry please contact the church office or call the Center directly at 662-280-1202. You also might consider being a part of their WALK TO CELEBRATE LIFE which will take place on Saturday May 5 at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of Colonial Hills Church. They hope to raise $15,000 in pledges through this walk-a-thon. Your steps might just save a life.

Bro. James

A Little R & R

Marc — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:02:36 +0000

I just recently finished going through the book of Leviticus as part of my annual “Read Through the Bible” regimen. This Old Testament book focuses on the law and lays out some pretty strict regulations concerning the Sabbath day…among other things. As I read these I thought how thankful I am to be living on this side of the cross. His grace is indeed amazing and brings a fullness to our life that is so liberating. I am grateful that while we can learn from the law, we do not live under it. The laws regarding the Sabbath stand as a reminder that there needs to be a time set aside weekly to stop, worship, and ponder the wonders of our Lord. However, Sundays are not exactly a day of rest for me. Typically my wagon is pretty loaded, but this week is different. Due to Disciple Now and our Family Movie Night, my preaching responsibilities are all covered, so Kathy and I are enjoying an extended weekend at the farm for a little R & R. I will see you back here on Wednesday and we’ll resume our study in Matthew next Sunday. Have a blessed day.

Bro. James

Ministry Boost!

Marc — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:29:36 +0000

For years now I have been opposed to “fund raising” by the church. I felt that we should support our own ministries and not ask those outside the church to support us. I realize that fund raising is often necessary for many nonprofit organizations such as schools. My kids did it and I am sure my grandkids will be selling stuff at some point and “BoBo” will have to shell out some cash. It’s just the way things work. However, my big concern has always been whether or not this is the wisest way to raise money for church endeavors? Over the years my stance has softened somewhat as I have seen the strain put on families who are struggling to send kids to church camps and other extra activities that can at times be quite costly. So we have done a few things in the past that I would label as sort of fund raising in nature. My unwritten rule on these has always been that they must be done “in house” and “in good taste.” For example, the dinner theater that the teenagers did several years ago helped finance one of their trips. Also, when the youth have done their big yard sales, you provided the stuff to sell. Therefore, you are in essence the ones funding the projects. From time to time we will continue to ask you to consider supporting these “ministry boost” efforts (formerly known as fund raisers). One such event will take place on Sunday, February 19 in conjunction with our Family Movie Night. The students are hosting a meal prior to the movie along with popcorn and drinks to help defray the cost of their two camp opportunities this summer. The movie is free, the meal is $5, the popcorn $1, and canned drinks will sell for 75 cents. I don’t know if you been to the movies lately, but that is a BARGAIN. Come have some fun and help support our kids.

Bro. James

Slowing Down And Shaping Up!

Marc — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:23:34 +0000

They say you can’t teach an old dog a new trick, but I say if the dog is willing, anything is possible. Let me illustrate my point by telling you that a couple of weeks ago this “old dog” learned a new trick concerning my weekly exercise routine. As I shared in a recent article, over the past few years I’ve become a regular at the fitness center. My routine involves some light weight lifting followed by an aerobic workout. Time is always of the essence, so I try to get in and out as fast as possible. This means that from the moment I walk through the door I go at full throttle (no surprise there). However, I have learned recently from my daughter that in the area of muscle toning, the slower you lift your weights the better. It is not about speed, but steadfastness. Since I respect Jami’s insight and want to maximize my gym time, I decided to follow her advice. The first sign that she knew what she was talking about came when I felt this incredible strain on my muscles as I slowly worked the weight machines. I had been on the same machines before, but now with a slower pace, I really felt my muscles tightening up. Old habits are hard to break, but I am learning that fast is not necessarily good. Likewise, I think this lesson has some genuine spiritual implications. Perhaps today you are rushing through your church experience or your quiet time. Like me at the gym, you are missing the full benefits of these experiences. Changing your pace always involves a little more time and in my case, a little more pain, but the end results can be profound. Today we might want to ponder the words of the psalmist.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Slowing down and shaping up,

Bro. James

Shaping Up!

Marc — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:43:03 +0000

Although I don’t have any scientific data to substantiate it, I imagine that “getting in shape” is one of the top resolutions most people make at the beginning of the year. This speculation is primarily based upon an observation. The fitness center is packed with “rookies.” They seem to be everywhere… in my parking space, using my machines, and to be honest, sometimes in my way. I am a veteran of the fitness scene. They are not. I have a schedule. They do not. I have a plan. Many of them do not. I am sweating. Most of them are not. I will be back tomorrow. Some of them will not. They wander in and around as if they think just being in the gym is somehow going to help them. They have their exercise outfits, their water bottles, and their MP3 players. However, what most of them need to get into shape is what they don’t have. You can’t buy it in the store, you can’t find it on Amazon, but it is essential. They need commitment. But as I ponder all of this, it suddenly hits me that I was once the same way. Have I become so smug in my own fitness routine that I fail to recognize the struggles that others are having? Struggles that not so long ago I also faced. I may be a veteran now, but I also was once the rookie, walking around lost in a sea of machines, feeling very out of place and inadequate. Could it be that I need to be a little less judgmental and a little more understanding? Could it be that the bigger lesson is not just about the fitness center and physical health, but also about the church and spiritual health? Another resolution that probably is high on the list for some is to “get in (or back in) to church 2012.” May those of us who are veterans be a little less critical and a little more compassionate in helping them make their resolution a reality.

Shaping up,

Bro. James

365 Is Coming Back

Marc — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:08:25 +0000

I don’t know the origin of this much used cliché, but when trying to state the obvious you often hear people say,“It is as plain as the nose on your face.”

I’ll be the first to admit that within the pages of the Bible there are some directions for us that are more obvious than others. Some are probably a matter of interpretation, while others are just “as plain as the nose on your face.” One very obvious direction given us by Jesus Himself is found in what we commonly refer to as “The Great Commission” “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

A great commission church must not only focus on evangelism, but also discipleship. At DHBC we want to “make disciples.” One aspect of that desire is reflected in our mid-week emphasis that we call 365: A Weekly Experience for a Daily Endeavor. Discipleship classes resume on January 18 along with our Wednesday night meals.

Schedule

5:00 Meal begins
6:00 Praise, Prayer and Proclamation in Multipurpose Center
6:30 Adult Discipleship Classes begin
6:00 H20 (youth/college service) in the Attic
6:00 Children’s mission studies and choir

Reservations for the meal can be made by filling out the form in the worship guide or calling the church office on Monday. Make DHBC your Wednesday night place to be in 2012.

See ya here,

Bro. James