Blessed By Another!

Today is the birthday of one of our senior adults at Southside.  As I think of her birthday, I am amazed by the many ways that God uses her in our church and for missions around the world.  Tonight, I clicked on her facebook page to send her a happy birthday message from our family and as I clicked on her page, I could not help but notice all of the birthday messages she has received from our young adults and some who are new to the kingdom.  My heart began to rejoice as I read the notes because it was such a blessing to see how the young adults were responding to a lady that has selflessly given of herself to invest in future generations for the kingdom.  WOW, we will never know until we go to Heaven the impact that this precious lady has made on our church and community.

Her example challenges Laura and I and makes us often say, "We hope we are just like her when we are her age!"

Happy birthday ! Thank you for touching so many lives at Southside.

This picture is a picture of her (Mrs. Pat along with her husband) on a mission trip last summer to another country. 

An Amazing Day

Last night after everyone was in bed, I went for my evening walk and then came back in to do some Bible reading.  While I was reading, I felt the Lord leading me to stop and pray.  I started praying as I sat on the sofa and I felt the Lord leading me to get on the floor in the family room and lay before Him in prayer. I was reluctant, but I finally obeyed my Lord.  As I spent a while "burning the midnight oil with Jesus," I found myself begging Him to lead our day today at Southside.  I kept saying,  "Lord let this Lord's day be an awesome day for YOU."

Now, as I sit here tonight, all I can say is WOW, GO GOD!  I could write and write about all the powerful things that God did today.  I am grateful to be a Christian and to know that God holds all power over Heaven and Earth. 

Thank you JESUS for this Lord's day, January 30, 2011.  You are so wonderful!

Baptist Children's Homes of NC

Today, some of our students at Southside Baptist Church went on mission with God to The Baptist Children's Homes of NC in Thomasville NC.  This campus that houses our NC Baptist Orphanage is located about 20 miles from our church.  I am so proud of this group of students for making a sacrifice on a beautiful Saturday to go and share God's love to some of the most needy children in the world. We have the most amazing youth at Southside and it is such a blessing for me to pastor these amazing youth.  I am proud of you guys and I can't wait to see how God continues to use you on mission for Him in the days ahead.

Luke - Hanging up-side-down from the climbing tree

Luke's favorite place in the world is the climbing tree at his grandparents farm.  This tree sits sideways and was named the climbing tree because the grandchildren love to spend lots of time on it.  Here is a picture that was captured of Luke.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my little man.  I am so proud of him and I know that God has really big plans for his life.  It is evident that God is working and it is amazing to hear him share his love for Jesus.  I am thankful that God is answering our daily prayers for Luke.

Our moms with 3 of the little Fuller's

Last weekend, our kids were blessed to have their grandparents together with them at the cheer competition in Charlotte.  Here is a picture of Laura's mom (Granny) as she holds Anna Brooke. My mom (Nana) is holding Paul and Sarah Belle.  We are so blessed to have our moms and they are such a blessing to our family.

Welcome to our new Student Ministries Pastor

On January 1st, our church was blessed to have Pastor Chance Walters come and join our ministry team staff as our new Student Ministries Pastor.  God is already using Pastor Chance in a remarkable and real way.  I have known him for 10 years and it is a true blessing to see how God is using this young man for his glory.  I have complete confidence in Pastor Chance as he leads our students to fulfill the vision that God has put before us as we seek to see radical transformation come to our city.  If you have not had the opportunity to get to know Pastor Chance yet, please take time to come by the office or invite him out so that you can be blessed by the mighty man of God that he is.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is a day that is set aside for our nation to remember the effect and events that forever changed the fabric of our nation from one of our past leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As I think about his impact on our society, many things could be said and shared.  However, I can sum up my thoughts by saying that I am thankful and blessed to be a part of a community, church and school system that embraces diversity and loves everyone.  I am also thankful that my children live, worship and attend school in a diverse environment with people from all walks of life.  It blesses me to see that my children and our younger generation has the freedom to enjoy people and value them for who they are inside of their soul rather than by what they look like on the outside in the physical realm of life.

Many of you know that Dr. King's nephew was one of our strong Baptist pastor's here in Greensboro for many years until his tragic death last year.  He was a delightful gentleman that loved our community and enjoyed seeing us come together for the sake of presenting JESUS to our city.  One of our deacons at Southside was a close friend of Dr. King's nephew and just told me recently about how God used him to help this precious deacon in his own walk with the Lord several years ago. 

As we think about the future of our community and city here in Greensboro, let us be mindful that everyone needs JESUS and that God has brought the mission field to us.  As we cross lines of diversity in our community, workplaces, and schools, may God be glorified as we share the love of JESUS.

Disciplines of a Godly Man

One of my favorite times of the week is when our staff has our weekly planning and devotional meeting.  It is a very uplifting time of encouragement as we share our hearts and pray together.  Over the next 4 months, we will be reading this book, "Disciplines of a Godly Man."  This book has impacted my life for many years.  I first came in contact with it 13 years ago and have used it several times in mentor/mentoree relationships to help myself and others around me be disciplined in a healthy relationship with God.

As our staff journeys together in this book of study, we would like to invite you to join us.  You can purchase this book from our local Lifeway store or online from several bargain book companies.  We are reading one chapter per week and then we are planning to spend time discussing the chapter.  I can not wait to see how God uses this to bless our lives, families, and our congregation at Southside.

Anna Brooke and Sarah Belle's cheer competition this weekend.

My girls very early Saturday morning as they were preparing for their competition.

Sarah Belle and Anna Brooke, my beautiful cheerleaders!

Mommy captured this picture while they were putting Sarah Belle up.  Look at Anna Brooke holding her and Sarah Belle as she is about to stand up.

How Great Thou Art

This past Wednesday we were unable to have worship, choir rehearsal, and our age graded ministry activiites since our parking lot was filled with ice from last weeks storm.  After we made the decision to cancel services, our Minister of Music, Chip Holden, came into my office and asked me if it would be ok to change the choir's special music for today to my favorite song, HOW GREAT THOU ART. I was so excited and have been so since Wednesday. 

Well, today as the music went forward in our morning worship, my heart was ready for what was about to come our way.  Then, our amazing choir began to sing this special piece of music that was simply spirit filled.  I was so blessed as they shared the message about how great our GOD is.

It is so amazing that sometimes a change of our plans is exactly what we need to feed our souls.  Thank you to the best choir in the world for ministering to your pastor's soul today. 

I am forever grateful.

VBS Preview - THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Last week, we were at Ridgecrest Conference Center for the annual VBS Preview for 2011.  It was amazing and we loved every minute of it.  Here is a picture of the little Fuller's as the Lifeway staff dressed them up as the Statue of Liberty.  It was quite comical and hilarious.  Needless to say, the little Fuller's are ready for "THE BIG APPLE ADVENTURE" with VBS this coming summer.  We can't wait to see how god blesses our VBS this year in Greensboro and in Canada.

The Fuller Boy's Enjoy A Hideaway Farms Getaway

Every year, it is our tradition to go to Florida after Christmas to spend time with our family there for a few days.  This year, we left home late Sunday afternoon, December 26 and stayed until Thursday evening when we leftt after dinner and drove into the late night to arrive back in NC so that I could go back to work on Friday.  Our time in Florida at Hideaway Farms was so much fun.  Laura's parents live in a cabin type farmhouse down a long dirt road and it is surrounded by trees, cows, chickens, and lots of adventure.  We love to go and visit because it really allows the kids to run and play with complete freedom.  It is fun to enjoy privacy and the quiet as we sit on the wrap around porch in rockers enjoying the dark quiet nights.

This year, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, we were very busy with ministry, activites, parties, and all types of celebrations.  When we arrived at Hideaway Farms, we were able to rest and relax before coming home to prepare for a busy and exciting year in 2011.

Here are a few snap shots of the boys time at Hideaway Farms.

Luke is enjoying it as Granny helps him learn to shoot his new gun.

Paul loves the tire swing at Hideaway farms.

Paul's favorite part of the farm is driving the tractor with Granddaddy.  As you can see here, he is steering all alone! WOW, it will not be long until he thinks Granddaddy will let him drive all alone!  He could literally stay on the tractor all day.

While Paul is driving with Granddaddy, Luke is riding on the hay as they are carrying it to feed the cows.

As you can tell, the Fuller boys really enjoyed their 4 day getaway to the farm.

Christmas with Granny and Granddaddy

Luke was speechless as he opened his favorite gift.  He was so excited to open his very first gun.  Granny was so excited about his new gift too.  It was a once in a lifetime moment.

Sarah Belle is showing off her new earrings and necklace that she received.  As you can see, she is loving this gift.  Granny is in the background laughing as she watches Sarah Belle pose for the camera.

Anna Brooke loves her earrings and necklace too.  She is very excited to have jewelry and I am sure she will spend lots of time putting it on in the days to come.

Paul is excited as he opens his new pajama's that granny and grandaddy gave to him.  He is thrilled that they have trains on them.

After we were finished opening presents on Monday night and the little Fuller's could not wait to jump into the hot tub on Granny and Granddaddy's back porch.  It was a fun Florida moment.

Christmas at Nana and Papa's in Louisburg

Nana and Anna Brooke are having fun as presents are being opened on Christmas night.

Luke is thrilled with his gifts from Nana and Papa.

Paul is Nana's helper by handing out gifts to everyone.  Sarah Belle's favorite part of Christmas and Nana and Papa's is all the fun stuff she finds in her stocking.

We had a great time as we always do at Nana and Papa's.  We always leave home after lunch on Christmas day once we are finished with our family Christmas at Fullertown and travel to Louisburg to have Christmas with my family on Christmas night.  This year because of the snow, we were only able to stay about 3 hours so that we would not get stuck in the snow.  Although our time was short, we had a blast and the little Fuller's loved their time with their grandparents.