THE BLOG HAS MOVED

The church's blog is now on our snazzy new website (thanks to hundreds of hours of work by Stephanie Cannon and Chase Adams), so please "bookmark" the following link (or add it to your "Favorites") in your web browser so that you can continue to follow along! Here's the link:

http://www.fbcloganville.org/fbcl-blog/

My Pops, Francis Chan, Christmas, and a Birthday

Hi everyone...I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything, but I wanted to take a minute and share something that happened this year at Christmas. Many of you know my father, Rick Wages (a.k.a. Pops). Here he is:For those of you who don't know him, you might have seen him and thought to yourself, "hmmm, that guy sure looks like Santa Clause!" and you would be right! :) Some of you may even have pictures of him with your kids who go to Bright Beginnings and not realize who he is...but, that's my Pops!

At any rate, the middle of December my entire family went to Disney World for a couple of days.

While this, of course, was our Christmas gift, my Pops decided we just had to have "something" to open as a gift. Well, when my brother and 2 sisters and myself opened up our gifts from Pops on Christmas Eve, we all received the same thing...a photo album along with our normal yearly silver dollar with Santa on it. But when you opened it up, it was a lot of pictures and stories typed out from my Pops. It started when he was a child. There were pictures of the houses he lived in, street signs, schools he attended, places of employment, places he hung out at when he was a teenager, etc. It was one of the coolest things I have ever received!

Last night my small group finished Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The end of up asked us this question: what legacy are you going to leave? While my Pops is far from perfect, as are we all, he helped us this past Christmas know him all the more and know who he was, what he did, and where he came from. One day, when I have kids, I hope to do the same thing. And I'll hand them my Pops as well...so that they are not to forget about who their Pops was either! I love ya Pops! You're the best. Happy Birthday!!!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

kwages@fbcloganville.org

770.466.4250 ext. 246

Here is a video on First Baptist Church Loganville's first all-ladies mission trip to South Asia in November of '09.

Latest View of the New Building:

Traditions and A Christmas Carol

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! The weather is getting colder, basketball season is here, and Christmas is just around the corner!!! Now, I know my family is strange in many ways, but one of the things that makes us so close is the fact that we have many family traditions that we do this time of year. I want to share with you one of the many...simply because it is so special to me personally.

About 9 - 10 years ago (depends on who you ask) my family began going to see A Christmas Carol live at the Alliance Theater downtown at Christmas. If you have never gone, it is truly one of the best plays you will ever see!!! For years we have taken many people with us to share in this family tradition. However, 4 years ago it was even more special. December 3rd, 2005 was the day that I asked Mattie to be my wife. I did it after an incredible steak dinner at a nice restaurant. On the way to the play Mattie said, "I really thought you were going to propose at dinner tonight!" With my heart beating out of my chest, I simply replied, "I told you...just wait, I have a plan of when I want to do it!" Little did she know that the others who went with us that year ALL knew what was about to happen (that year we took 48 people total!!!).

At any rate, here we are 4 years later (she did say "Yes") and this past weekend we went to see the play again. It was awesome as usual. But it made me wonder...part of the reason it is so special is because of the tradition. I just tagged onto it to make it a more memorable evening. But every year, we go back down memory lane and remember that day 4 years ago. It's a great memory!

My Pops always says, "Let's make a memory"...what are some of your traditions that your family does that helps make memories for your kids? As we enter into the holiday season...have you considered starting another tradition for your family this year? I love stories and I love traditions...share with me some of yours!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

770.466.4250 ext. 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Update from South Asia

An Update from Suzanne Roberts, one of our members who just returned from an all-ladies mission trip to one of the world's most densely populated Muslim countries:

I just wanted to say that I am thankful that God allowed me and my daughter, Myla, to go and experience South Asia.. .WOW... what an experience!!!

Although, we'll never see all the GLORY that HE received .. because of our obedience to Go... I know that we, nor the people that we shared with, will NEVER be the same again.. There is just no way to GO on a mission trip and not come back changed..

It has been said.. that God does his most stunning work where things seem hopeless. Wherever there is pain, suffering, and desperation, Jesus is. And that's where his people(a group of 10 women) belong (in South Asia) --- among those who are vulnerable, who think nobody cares. What better place for the brilliance of Christ to shine?

Before we left.. I was told by two different prayer warriors... that our main goal was to ENCOURAGE the full-time missionaries that God has put into place in Bangladesh.. And I feel that our team did just that.. The prayers we prayed for them, and over them... will do much more than we could ever accomplish "in our own strength" in one week.

Upon our return home, Myla was still overwhelmed with tears as she laid her head down in her beautiful room, on a clean bed (where only she sleeps) that we are SO BLESSED.. that we have SO MUCH.. and they have SO little.. I know that the trip made an impact on her little life.. and she will never be the same again.

Thank you ...Jesus.

Suzanne Roberts

Blessing Baskets

Blessing Baskets was a great thing to be a part of this year. Many were served and hopefully many felt the love of Christ through this annual ministry. Here are a few photos from the event:

Help support the Children's Ministry

Hey there everyone...how many of you shop online? How many you purchase things online from Amazon, iTunes, ebay, shop.com, etc.? This week I wanted to bring something to your attention. There is a website that is a referral based program that helps raise funds through people who shop online. Of course this time of year is the busiest for online shopping! It is so simple that even a child could do it! :) Just go to: http://sendthemforhim.com/files/Groups/LoganvilleChildren/Categories.html

Choose a category and click on the store you want to purchase from. The cool thing is this: it does NOT charge you any more money than you would if you went to the regular store online in the first place. However, by going through this website FIRST...we will receive a "finders' fee" for bringing the shopper there. So, help support the Children's Ministry by going through this website for all your online shopping...and try to remember to do it throughout the year as well. It's a great way to help us...without costing you any extra money whatsoever!!!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

770.466.4250 ext 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Women Reaching Women :: South Asia Missions

In 2 days, a group of 8 ladies and 2 girls will travel to South Asia to minister to Muslim women and girls. Because of the gender dynamics within Islam, only other women are able to connect with these precious people. Kathy Ramsey, who will be leading our group, wrote the following reflection in her journal this week. (While we are there serving we will continue to post updates on this blog so that you can follow along with what God is doing.)

"For You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline."

And it is in this spirit we must follow You to the hard places

because what the world calls impossible situations-

God who is ABLE,

performs wonders!

The Koran teaches that most of the people in hell will be women.

It teaches that she is helpless even in earning her salvation,

but must depend on the good works of her spouse or father.

We go with beautiful feet,

We go with beautiful news;

carrying a light within us that brings hope to her soul.

There is a man who did the work for her!

A man she can depend upon.

A man who calls her to His side to be His bride.

There is a man

whom calls her by name.

He is Isa Masiah,

Jesus the Messiah!

Famous Last Words Video :: Heaven

A Service-Oriented Church

In a time when more people than usual are experiencing reduced or even non-existant household incomes, in a time when more people are hungry and in need, that's when the local church needs to take action and be the forerunner in caring for those exact people.

Our staff was just recently overwhelmed at the responses our church made in regards to two opportunities to help those in need.

First, the numbers of our members who signed up to assist with the Blessing Baskets ministry were more than we've ever had.

And second, our food pantry (which, as you know, is in place so that we can help those who come to the church that are hungry) was running critically low recently. In response to the shopping bags that were placed on windshields a couple of Sundays ago, the pantry is overflowing! However, in the times we are in, the needs we see are constant, so please keep bringing non-perishables to the food pantry so that we can continue to meet the physical needs of those in our community.

Again, we can't say enough how thankful we are to have such a giving body of believers. Y'all are great.

Get to know the FBCL Staff :: Tracey Means

Tracey Means, Bright Beginnings Weekday Preschool Director

1. What are you passionate about?

My family, my students, staff and parents at Bright Beginnings, Jesus & Georgia Football.

2. What are your dislikes?

Mean people and ironing

3. What did you do before coming to FBCL?

Special Education Teacher and Head Cheer Coach at Parkview High School

4. Describe yourself in 5 words:

Blessed, encouraging, easy-going, optimistic, busy

5. What do you do to chill?

Go to the movies or out to eat, hike, watch cheesy shows (like American Idol), go to a coffee shop.

6. Have you ever met someone famous?

I cheered for Jeff Francour's team when I was in high school.

7. What is your dream?

My husband, Jeremy, and I would love to have a farm!

Disciple Now 2009

Hey Guys,

Let me say Thank You, Thanks, You Rock, Way to Go, You’re Awesome and Great Job on Disciple Now weekend. I think we had somewhere around 200 students with 21 host homes and 20 baptisms. Also several other students that weekend gave their life to Jesus and are going to be baptized soon. We have at least one family that I know of that has started visiting our church since that day. They may come for a big event but it’s the relationships they have with you that brings them back. Our growth is a result of GREAT workers like you.

Sometimes people ask me who has the largest youth group in Loganville—is it us or another church. Well it is none of those-Satan has more kids than any of us. My prayer for us is that we continue to damage his kingdom by seeing students give their life to Jesus and walk in the kingdom of Light.

Thank you for allowing me to work with you as we go after kids in our community and fulfill

God’s call on each of our lives.

Wayne Naugle

Student Pastor

wnaugle@fbcloganville.org

New Building Progress

I stepped into the new building this morning and was surprised to see the progress that has been made since the last time I checked it out a few weeks ago. And the space is BIG!

But, there is one negative to this whole situation, and to some it's a pretty substantial con.

No skateboaring on the inside. As an avid skateboarder, Tony Hewatt was excited about the expansive new concrete slab indoors. Needless to say, he IS NOT happy about this.

Famous Last Words Video :: No Regrets

Have you dealt with your regrets?

Famous Last Words - Part I of III

The video of Ronnie pondering his last day, his death and his funeral that was played in this past Sunday's services is now up on YouTube. Or you can view it below:

2 of my girls...

Today's post is simply one of those things that I don't feel quite often because I am not a parent yet...however, there are times (because of my position here) that I just get very excited, proud, and everything inside of me wants to just burst forth and scream "YES!!! THAT'S IT!!!!" One of those moments happened recently...

During the Summer, I found out that Myla Roberts (a girl in the children's ministry) felt like God called her to go to South Asia on a mission trip. Her mom told me that she had to pray about it, but that Myla "just knew that God wanted her to go". Also, Audrey Talley, another girl in the children's ministry, felt like she wanted to go.

Long story short, Audrey was on a plane this past week and was sitting beside a gentleman she didn't know. She shared with him about her upcoming mission trip...he happened to be an FCA director not far from Loganville. He has committed to giving them the sports equipment that they needed to go over on their trip.

Now comes the good part...I believe that God is going to do some incredible things in the lives of so many kids. In particularly, these 2 girls, because of their desire to serve Him...they are going to see things that most of us will never witness face to face. I believe that this trip will be on that will change these 2 girls lives forever! I could not be more proud or excited of Myla and Audrey than I am right now. It is so encouraging to see them having a heart for God...and putting action behind their faith. Many of us could learn a lesson or two from a couple of the girls in the Children's Ministry.

[Due to security reasons, more information about the trip cannot be posted...however, if you are interested in learning more &/or want to receive updates while the girls are in Asia...please contact Stephanie Cannon at scannon@fbcloganville.org.]

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

770.466.4250 ext 246

kwages@fbcloganville.org

I hear Crickets...

Are you afraid of silence??? I think I am!

This is one of those weeks where there isn't a lot going on here at the church (with Wednesday night stuff cancelled due to Fall Break). I am sitting here in my office and it's very quiet. Almost scary quiet. This doesn't happen often, except if I am here late on Saturday or early on Sunday! :) However, today, in the midst of the quiet...I'm reminded of the nights when I was a kid and was scared of the dark. I slept with a nightlight, the door open, and the same ol' Batman cassette tape reading the same ol' story each and every night. It's kinda crazy, but here in my office, I still have that cassette (which I just checked and the copyright is 1981). I am constantly reminded of not my desire for Batman or anything like that...but my desire for noise. I don't handle silence very well. I sleep with a box fan (turned as high as it will go) every night. If I don't have a radio on (not that I am paying attention to it anyway), I am listening to the hundreds of voices in my head go 90 mph. In the midst of that, I have come to realize that it isn't the noise that I like so much...it's more that I DON'T like the silence . BUT...in the midst of silence, I'm reminded of Psalm 46:10 which says, "Be still and know that I am God." So many times in my life I get so busy and so caught up in doing things and being places...that I forget to take time not just to spend with God...but really...to sit and simply "be still". Silence isn't a bad thing...it actually makes hearing from the Lord that much easier! Try to find a quiet place to just sit and spend some time with the Lord...I'm sure that it will be far better than listening to a cassette that was made in 1981!

Keith Wages

Children's Pastor

kwages@fbcloganville.org

Journey to Bethlehem Workday Tomorrow

Praise for what God is doing:

In each staff meeting, we share praises about what God has been doing in the last few weeks. Here are just a few of the many praises that were mentioned in this morning's staff meeting:

***

Incredible things are going on in Student Ministry. On Saturday evening at the Student Baptism Service, it was incredible to hear from students’ mouths the life-changing experiences that God has done in their lives. One-by-one students rose to the stage and poured out their hearts about how God has changed them and has been so faithful in their lives. About 200 students this past weekend gathered together to seek Him and His plan for their lives. And we are still hearing stories about how He used this past weekend to shape them into His image.

***

As many of you know, Ronnie felt led to take up a special offering this past Sunday. This is something that he very rarely does and it is only when he truly feels God leading him to do so. He asked that people give whatever they could. A staff member's middle-school-aged son saw a lady next to him open her purse and literally POUR the contents into the offering plate. His son was completely humbled by her generosity and how much she trusted God. As church members and even as staff we will never know who this generous woman was, but her testimony made a powerful impression and I am sure that this boy will never erase that image from his mind.

***

There are so many things we could mention that He is doing here. (I wish I could type as fast as the Micro-Machine man could talk, so that I would be able to share each story as people rattle them off!)