First Baptist Asheville Youth

The kingdom of heaven is near.

As you have received, so then must you give.

Be not afraid with the Lord at you side,

For Jesus died so we may live.

He said, “Come follow me.

Come by yourselves to a quiet place.

Come follow me, that someday we may see His face.”

Those who are weary, take rest.

Look to Him for comfort and He will sooth your soul,

For He is gentle and humble in heart,

And Jesus died to make us whole.

Luke 9: 23-26

What is the one thing you do best? It might be a hobby, school subject, sport or special skill. How did you get to be so good at it?

Several years ago Earth witnessed the beauty of the Hale-Bop comet. Back in the late eighties the infamous Haley’s Comet passed earth. The phenomenon of a comet is brilliant and exciting. Trouble is a comet as bright as Haley’s Comet only comes around every seventy-five years.

This morning we are witnessing another phenomenon. We also experienced it yesterday and the day before that. And we will see it tomorrow and day after tomorrow. In fact, this astrological event has occurred every day of history and will continue until the earth is no more. I’m talking about the rising of the sun. It gently warms the earth and shines its light every day. It doesn’t make the papers or the newscasts, but what an unbelievable difference it makes!

You know if we’re not careful we can become “comet Christians.” What I mean is that our faith can easily become a sparkling-brilliantly-for-a-short-time-only-to-fizzle-out-and-not-to-be-seen-for-another-seventy-five-years kind of faith. Instead we need to try to mimic the sun in our Christian walk. We need to be consistent, reliable Christians – that’s the only way we can be good at it. It’s easy to be a part of the big exciting things as a Christian and church member- retreats, choir tours, mission trips. But what about weekly Bible Study, Worship, Choir, and Koinonia? What about daily spiritual reflection and prayer or seeking to help others all year long? These are just routine things, sometimes exciting, sometimes not. However, it is in the discipline of routine things that real faith is developed. You have developed skill at a sport, hobby or school subject because you have practiced over and over again. Sometimes that practice or studying wasn’t much fun, but you did it anyway because you knew what the result would be. Being a good Christian requires the same consistent, daily consistent discipline. That’s why Christians are called disciples.

Think of ways you can develop your faith every day. Ask God to guide and help you as we go back home, enjoy the summer, and start next fall in college or high/middle school. Ask God to let you feel the Spirit everyday and to follow Christ’s teachings in all you do.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

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Friday, June 19, 2009

DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 19, 2009

The Youth Choir is enjoying a day off at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Here is their devotional reading for today:

We Sing the Mighty Power of God

We sing the mighty pow’r of God, that made the mountains rise,

That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.

We sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;

The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.

We sing the goodness of the Lord, that filled the earth with food;

God formed the creatures with a word, and then pronounced them good.

Lord, how thy wonders are displayed where e’er we turn our eyes;

If we survey the ground we tread, or gaze upon the skies.

There’s not a plant or flow’r below, but makes thy glories known;

And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne;

While all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care,

And ev’ry where that we can be, thou, God, are present there.

Sing hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 8

Who do you consider to be beautiful? Has anything you have ever seen literally taken your breath away? What are the pictures or artwork hanging up in your room?

It is amazing how technology has changed the world in the last ten to fifteen years. Not so long ago cell phones were big, clumsy gadgets you had to plug into your car lighter. Most people thought they were just a stupid invention that would never catch on. Computers were big and fat, too, and were nothing more than just souped-up typewriters. The development of the internet has sure changed that! By the way, do you even know what a typewriter is?

Have you ever wondered how smart the people must be who have invented some of this stuff. (Like Al Gore?!!!) It really is mind-boggling to think how billions of pieces of data, pictures, music, and video are sent every day through tiny fiber-optic cables. How can a human voice fly through the air and be transmitted and perfectly understood by someone riding in a subway in another time zone half-way around the world? How can it be that an airplane which weighs 5 tons can move faster than the speed of sound? “Whoa,” and you were like “whoaa” and then I was like “whoaaaa….”

As amazing as these things are there is something else that makes them all look like kindergarten art. Look outside the window. Look around at the people beside you. Take a big, deep breath of oxygen. The most awesome invention of all time is God’s creation of the world and the people who live in it. The mountains, the sky, the moon and stars, a baby, a pine tree, a snake, a river, a seashell, a centipede, a grizzly bear, molecules and atoms and sound waves and eclipses and hurricanes and music and ideas and love and beauty and so on and so on to infinity and beyond…

‘Nuff said.

Thank God for the awesome world you live in. Remember the beauty of the world and the simple gifts of friends, laughter, and life as you enjoy this day of abundant living!

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 11:15 AM 0 comments

DC 09 Tour - June 18, 2009

Reflections from Lawson McDonald for Thursday:

Today was a very full, memorable busy day. We began the day with some sight-seeing, visiting four different branches of the Smithsonian Museum. We first visited the introductory branch that gave us all a taste of what the Smithsonian was all about, along the way we saw props from the recently released “Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian”. Our next stop was the Air and Space branch; we saw every craft of sky and space from the very first flight all the way to the most modern technological advances of our day. The third branch we visited was up to the group, some went to the American-Indian branch and others went to the Art Gallery branch. Both were very interesting, exciting museums, there is so much to see it’s almost too much to take in! We then ate a very good lunch at the Museum Cafeteria surrounded by breathtaking sculptures and a waterfall that was truly a work of art. Our final sight-seeing stop of the day was the Museum of Natural History. Surrounded by hundreds of animals, priceless jewels and so much more we found ourselves lost in all the Smithsonian had to offer. And while we only had an hour to spend there, for some it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Our afternoon plans for the day were to visit the local mall which is a converted train station but still a fully active station as well [Union Station]. Then we were to head to our evening concert at the Harbor Light Mission’s rehab program graduation. Our devotion this morning was about hope and the Lord’s deliverance of His people, in this case Daniel from the Lions den as is stated in our song “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”. It spoke of hope and how graduating from the rehab program was a new beginning for all of the graduates. It challenged us to be givers of hope tonight and show these people what it means to be forgiven and have a new start through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. After we spent some time shopping and eating at the mall we got changed and prepared to go to the concert, hoping to make a difference in these people’s lives tonight.

We arrived at the Mission at around 6:00, set up, and prepared to begin the service. From the very beginning we could tell this crowd was special, the atmosphere in that chapel from the very first word of our first song was one of hope, joy, and true appreciation. Every member of the audience was engaged and truly appreciative of our performance at this graduation. We finished singing our first two songs at took our seats for the handing out of certificates of completion. These certificates acknowledged sobriety for anywhere from thirty days all the way up to a full year. The crowd was instructed to wait to clap until all the names had been announced, but that didn’t last a second. The crowd could not contain their joy and pride to see their friends who had been through everything with them receive their certificates. It was a very humbling experience for all of us to see the crowd so selfless and truly joyful for one another. In the middle of the service we resumed our position in front of the congregation and sang another song. The rhythm was not one that was originally meant to be accompanied by clapping but it didn’t matter, we found a way! The crowd began clapping with the beat, they were so engaged in the music, they wanted to get up and move. It was an inspiring thing to see for all of us. Our final song was one that was very familiar to some of the members of the congregation and they were all invited to sing along, before long everybody in the chapel was moving and singing with everything they had. At times the crowd was singing louder than we were! It was a truly moving and inspirational experience.

This evening we went on a tour of the monuments of Washington DC. They were all beautiful and just breathtaking with this dim light of the evening. We made a quick stop at the Lincoln Memorial and couldn’t leave without seizing the opportunity to sing the National Anthem on the steps in front of the monument. We had a beautiful view of the Washington Monument as we sang and it topped off a great and memorable day. Now we head to the hotel and prepare for another full day tomorrow at Busch Gardens.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 9:46 AM 0 comments

DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 18, 2009

Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel

Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel?

Then why not every man? (woman)

He delivered Daniel from the lion’s den,

Jonah from the belly of the whale,

And the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace,

Then why not every man? (woman)

I set my foot on the gospel ship

And the ship began to sail.

It landed me over on Canaan’s shore,

And I’ll never go back no more!

Jeremiah 29: 11-14

What is the craziest dream you have ever had? What have you always said you want to be when you “grow up?” Where do you think you will be living in 10 years?

Daydreaming should be required in school. Maybe it shouldn’t be allowed in a classroom simultaneously with other subjects, but it should be a part of the curriculum. What I mean is...well...Martin Luther King said it like this, “I have a dream...”

Without a dream a person has no future. Without a future a person has no hope. Without hope a person has no life. Jesus’ entire life was spent trying to help people discover hope. He did this by helping them to look forward, not behind. He tried to help them see what they could be and he challenged them to get rid of potential-limiting sin. He knew the promise of the prophet Jeremiah that “God knows the plans he has for you, plans to prosper and not fail.”

However, simply having a dream and a hope is not enough. Jeremiah also said that we have to search and find God’s plan in everything we do. We have to follow the Christ-like way of living in order to fully realize God’s plan for a wonderful, dream-fulfilling life. Our hope is found in doing what God says.

Tonight we will be dream givers. We are going to sing for some people who because of life’s situation for them have made some bad choices. They have abused their bodies with drugs and alcohol. They have abused others out of insecurity or anger. Many of them have felt they have lost all hope and have bleak futures. We know differently. We know that all people, no matter what has happened or will happen in their life, are loved by God and that God has a plan for them. God wants them to prosper and not fail. We can be encouraging to them simply by our presence, our gift of time, our joyful music, our touch of friendship. Through us, the Spirit of God can show them a picture of abundant life. We can help give them dreams...and in the process we might become dream catchers ourselves.

Pray that God will allow you to be a giver of hope. Ask God to show you the plans he has for your life. And consider with God what dreams you should have as his follower.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 9:44 AM 0 comments

Thursday, June 18, 2009

DC 09 Tour - June 17, 2009

Reflections from Trellace Lawrimore:

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

7:30 a.m.- To Clark’s dismay, we have not yet left the parking lot of Comfort Inn, south of Baltimore. Finally, our Youngs bus starts rolling, and we head off for the Capitol Building. Soon, Clark comes over the intercom and instructs us to begin our morning devotion. This morning we studied the song “Pacem,” and concentrated on losing the prejudices we may hold against others who are racially, religiously or socially different from us.

As the day proceeded, I accompanied 51 of my friends through a tour of the Capitol building, an edifying and entertaining experience in Ford’s Theatre, a walk-through of The House Where Lincoln Died, a delicious lunch at Hard Rock Café, a photo op in front of the White House, and a pensive trip through Arlington National Cemetery. Feeling like the ultimate tourist, I enjoyed each of our adventures today; especially being able to use something I learned in Civics—seeing a senator filibuster a bill on the Senate floor.

But overall, I liked visiting the Ford’s Theatre the most. We entered the actual theater where former President Lincoln was shot, and sat down to watch a presentation performed by a National Park Ranger. He entertained us with the story and history behind the day Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. After the thoroughly enchanting production by the park ranger, we went upstairs and took fantastic pictures of the box where Lincoln was shot. It was an amazing opportunity.

7:30 p.m.-Our choir prepares to sing in front of a Filipino congregation in Woodbridge, Virginia. We performed beautifully (as usual), and it seemed as though the members enjoyed our concert. After socializing with the worshippers, and packing up our instruments, we walked out to the bus and finished our day by spending the evening in the pool.

Visiting with the Filipino community was a perfect time to practice the devotion on prejudices we had studied that morning. I have already had a great experience in Washington, and can’t wait for Thursday and Friday!

Trellace Lawrimore

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 9:34 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 17, 2009

The choir did a great job with the National Anthem at last night's Orioles' game. (XM Radio broadcast the game, and I was able to hear it live myself! - Tracey)

Today they are touring the Capitol, Ford's Theater, and Arlington National Cemetery. Tonight is a concert for the Filipino Congregation at Grace Baptist Church in Woodbridge, VA.

Here is today's devotion:

Pacem

Dona nobis pacem.

(Grant us peace.)

Et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

(And on earth, peace to all of good will.)

Romans 14: 13-19

Do these statements bother you?

Asian people are intellectual nerds.

Hispanic people love to drink beer and live in groups of twenty.

Black people are big fans of the welfare system.

White people can’t dance.

Blondes ask for a price check at the Dollar Store.

Surely the above statements are offensive to you. (Well, maybe not the one about Blondes!) They are offensive, first, because they are not true. Second, they are offensive because they reflect opinions that have led people throughout history (and even today) to commit acts of violence against others who are simply different than they are.

As we read in today’s scripture, since Bible times there has been conflict between groups of people over simple things like eating different foods. Added to the list could be differences between what people wear, how they talk, what music they listen to, and how they celebrate holidays. If we are very honest with ourselves, we must all admit that each of us hold certain prejudices against others. It might not be racial prejudice. It might be impressions we generalize about certain parts of our county, various types of cliques at school, even differing age groups. Unfortunately, it is human nature to be judgmental toward others who are different from us.

But we must remember that Christ came to redeem human nature. We cannot be comfortable with our prejudices “because that’s just the way we are.” Our scripture says that the kingdom of God is about peace and joy. Loving as Christ loved means that we fully accept everyone as creations of God.

Tonight we will be singing for a Filipino congregation in a suburb of DC. They are living in a foreign country. They have probably had to endure mistreatment, even abuse because they are racially different from the majority of people they live, work and go to school with. Yes, they will look different from us. They may dress differently from us. Most of them will have accents and eat different food from us and, perhaps, even serve us food unlike what we are use to. But they are, like us, followers of Jesus. God loves them just like he loves us, and the worship we share tonight will be a celebration of our similarities in Christ, not our differences. The peace that God grants to all people of goodwill will be shared tonight. We and they will be drawn closer to Christ because we will have lived together in peace.

Ask God to help you confess your sins of prejudice. Pray that God will show you ways to be a peacemaker in your home, neighborhood, school, church and workplace.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 12:21 PM 0 comments

DC 09 Tour - June 16, 2009

These are reflections from Ben Magee for Tuesday morning and afternoon:

It's been a very good day for all of us here on the youth choir tour. Rising early this morning, in the company of the wonderful host families, we traveled back to the bus and headed to the Virginia Baptist Retirement home in Culpepper. They were so thankful to hear the praises that we were able to sing to our lord and savior. This however was not a long stay, we finished the concert and quickly headed back to the bus to make our way to Camden Yards stadium in Baltimore. As we walked across the the harbor of Baltimore, We could see the flag that waved with thirteen stars that had inspired the writing of the National Anthem that we were preparing to sing. Though the large crowd can be somewhat intimidating, the words of another hymn we sing tells me that we should fear no powers of earth or death or sin because Jesus is ours and with us. Because of the confidence we gain from knowing this, we were able to sing wonderfully. After we had finished, Clark explained that a solider who had just returned from Iraq had come up to him and explained that he was so proud to experience such a wonderful performance from a group who lives in his own state of North Carolina. I think I speak for everyone when I say that while we sing of the mighty power of God, we are beginning to see that power working through us, speaking to the hearts that listen.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 10:35 AM 1 comments

DC 09 Tour - June 15, 2009

These are reflections from Katherine Ehrlichman on the first day of tour:

Yesterday was a great start to the tour. We got on the road around 8:45 and stopped for lunch at what we thought were three different restaurants (Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut) but they all ended up being built into one line… needless to say it took us a while to get through lunch. However, we were still able to arrive in Franklin right on time. Once we unloaded the bus, we began a very long, but productive rehearsal. The church cooked us a yummy supper of lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and lots of homemade brownies! After dinner, we all changed into our lovely khaki pants that fit oh so well, and our red polo shirts. Although many of us may not be happy with the uniforms, we do look very sharp! Last night, we gave an outstanding concert. Everyone there was very appreciative and complementary. We were placed with host families after the concert. I was placed in a house with 5 other girls and the best host family EVERRRRR!! They took us to Dairy Queen, which was apparently the place to be, when we got there, over half the choir ended being there. Yes, Franklin is that small of a town.

Yesterday morning’s devotion was about not conforming. We also were asked to reflect on what is “in” or “out”: Body piercings, American idol, Jessica Biel, Khaki Pants, Red shirts, and brown belts, etc. In this day in age there is a great amount of youth that don’t attend church regularly. It was even questionable for a time whether or not I would be attending choir tour this summer; However, I’m so glad that I decided to come on this trip and if yesterday was any indication of how the remainder of the trip will be, it’s going to be a great one!

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 9:21 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 16, 2009

The choir has had a great start! They left Franklin, VA this morning and traveled to Culpepper, VA today, to sing in a retirement center, and are on their way to Baltimore, MD. They will be singing the National Anthem tonight at the Orioles-Mets game that starts at 7:00pm. Pictures will be posted soon!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back.

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!

O words with heavenly comfort fraught.

Whatever I do, wherever I be,

Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.

He leadeth me, by his own hand, he leadeth me.

His faithful follower I would be,

For by his hand he leadeth me.

Though none go with me, still I will follow, no turning back.

Philippians 2: 5-11

Do you have any nicknames? What is your unique trademark or what are you known for? What words do people use to describe you? What words would you want them to use to describe you?

We discussed a couple of weeks ago in choir rehearsal that your generation of Christians does not like to be known as “Christians.” Studies have shown that the majority of Christians under the age of 25 in America want to be known as “followers of Jesus.” Why do you think that is?

For someone to earn the description, “follower of Jesus” they have to be like Jesus. Just like fans or followers of a sports team wear jerseys and colors so that they look like their heroes, a follower of Jesus has to be like Him. It is only right to assume then, that a follower of Jesus would be someone who loves every person, no matter what. A follower of Jesus would be someone who tries to help meet the needs of people, especially those who are mistreated by others. A follower of Jesus would go to church and worship God with others. A follower of Jesus would want more than anything else to please God with how they live their lives. A follower of Jesus would pursue passionately God’s plan for their life.

It is a good thing that young Christians want to be known as followers of Jesus. Evidently, they want to be more than “believers in Jesus” or “admirers of Jesus.” They are interested in being more than “students of Jesus” or “authorities on Jesus.” They are not satisfied with simply being identified with “the religion of Christianity.” They want to be seen as people who talk like Jesus, who think like Jesus, who love like Jesus and who live like Jesus. They have decided to follow Jesus...no turning back.

Pray for God to let you know the reality of Jesus. Ask God to help you learn about Jesus through studying the Bible and observing other people who you know follow Jesus. Seek God’s Spirit of courage to follow Jesus, even though it might sometimes feel like none go with you.

Labels: Choir, DC09 Tour, FBCA, Youth

# posted by TJenkins @ 2:15 PM 0 comments

Monday, June 15, 2009

DC 09 Tour - Devotions for June 15, 2009

The Youth Choir left this morning for Franklin Virginia, where they will perform a concert at Franklin Baptist Church tonight. Here is their devotional reading for today:

The Heart’s Offering

As I rise with the dawn, may my soul be reborn;
Take this heart all forlorn, and refresh me in the morn.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

In the warmth of the day I consider thy way.
May thy love ever stay in my heart, O Lord, I pray.

In the still of the night, as I think on the light
In my heart burning bright, keep me precious in thy sight.

God of each living thing, bless the gift that we bring.
Take our hearts’ offering while in joyful praise we sing.

Read:

Romans 12: 1-2

American Idol – In or Out? Vegetarians – In or Out? Body Piercing – In or Out? Jessica Biel – In or Out? Shia Lebeouf – In or Out? Light Stone Khaki Pants, Brown Belts and Tucked-in Red Sport Shirts – In or Out?

From the first breath we take in this world we begin to be influenced by other people. Babies learn to talk by imitating mouth movements they see and sounds they hear from their parents. Children develop heroes and heroines who they want to be like so they dress up like them at Halloween. Teenagers form groups of like-minded and like-accessorized friends. Adults make financial decisions based on the expectations of those in their socio-economic class.

Some of this cultural influence is good, even necessary. Much of it, though, causes people to not think for themselves. Most people are passionate about whatever the latest sports craze is or whatever everybody else is watching on television or listening to on their Ipod. They make decisions based on what they think the world around them values. They are not just influenced, but totally instructed by other people. You know sheep are like that. They are so dumb that entire herds have been known to jump to their death by following one wandering member of their flock who accidentally falls over a cliff.

Conforming to the world is a big temptation. It is easier to just blend in or to believe whatever someone tells us. It would have probably been easier to not have made the sacrifices you have made to come on this tour. All this last year you could have just slept more on Sunday evenings at 5:00 or gone to the movies with friends or played an extra game of hoops. Going to choir at church- In or Out? Something made you decide that being a part of Youth Choir is In! Something makes you come to church. Even though the majority of teenagers in Buncombe County are not involved in a church youth group, you are. Why are you on this trip?

We are a part of this choir and on this trip because our hearts have been touched by the Spirit of God. We feel it when we sing, when we worship and pray, when we do something for others. Our heart’s offering this week is our time and talent. Instead of letting others wrongfully influence us, we are trying to influence them with the beauty, truth and grace of God. We are singing so that our hearts will continue to burn bright.