That is the title of an article I read on  Monday December 12, 2011 from the USA Today Newspaper. The writer Laura Vanderkam, author of the forthcoming All The Money in the World of USA TODAY’s Board of Contributors had some interesting observations in her article. Consider some of her points as quoted below: 1. Churches see an upside to people loading down the collection plate but new insights from happiness research suggest that tithing could benefit the giver too… 2. While 10% sounds like a lot, tithing advocates note that it’s only a lot in the context of giving. In the context of, say housing, 10% sounds cheap. 3. This idea of framing giving in terms of the blessing one receives from it sounds strange, but some people take that idea literally-that if...

As we start the new year I thought I would share some of my resolutions and hope that they might be an encouragement. I resolve to be Kind I have never caught myself saying; “Wow, I wish I would not have been kinder to that person.” I have however caught myself many times saying sorry that was not very nice of me. Or even thought later wow I wish I had not said that, so this year I resolve to be Kind. Eph 4: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  I resolve to be Faithful “Be a man of your word, if you said you were going to do then, Bless the Lord you should do it!” I can still hear my Grandpa saying that. He was a great example of being faithful. Luke 16:10...

Vision for the church in 2012 Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, have faith in God.   Spiritual Goals 1. Revival in the hearts of the church family. 2. Reading of the Bible by 100% of church family daily. 3. Cottage prayer meetings established with Bible studies to foster spiritual growth. 4. Soul winning involvement by all members and families regularly. 5. Fifty-two people following the Lord in baptism and added to the church. 6. Add three additional teachers to the church staff to share the Word. 7. All families having daily devotions together. 8. Church family attending all services each week unless providentially hindered. 9. Develop a sweet spirit of Christ in the church family. 10. Discipleship work with all new converts.   Missions Goals 1....

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1) William Gladstone once said that “The ravages of drink are greater than those of war, pestilence, and famine combined.” As we come to a new year let us take a moment to ponder that no person who became an alcoholic ever truly planned on becoming one or truly wanted to be one. They did not start out with the thoughts of hurts it would cause to family, the harm it would bring to their health, or even the humiliation it would bring to themselves. They just tried one drink or drank one night. Soon it became more than just one drink or one night of drinking. A Horrible habit had been formed that would last and become a snare to them for the rest of...

What a blessing to see the smile on children’s faces as they open Christmas presents. This year our church had the wonderful blessing of helping dozens of Children have a a Merry Christmas thanks to many in our church’s community bringing in presents, food, and monetary gifts. There were many wonderful stories of Children smiling and parents thanking our church family for its generosity. However, today we will share just one of those stories. There stood one of our workers in the home of someone who had requested help from our church for Christmas. The house was filled with happy children who were almost bouncing up and down at the thought of receiving Christmas presents and all the fixens for a Christmas turkey dinner. Each child said thank you...

Community Baptist Church November 13, 2011 Pastor Timothy Jackson Notes from the Evening service         “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5).   Our mission is to honor the Lord in all we do, that includes having a thankful heart. The Psalms are full of instruction to how to be thankful to the Lord.   Thankfulness is a conscious act of the believer confessing gratefulness: you do so with your actions, reactions, voice, song, finances, stuff as you offer it to God and others in a humble spirit. “Thanksgiving” – is mentioned 30 times in the Bible! No One was...