Two Moore Boys!

Wednesday night, we concluded Midweek with the surprise announcement that our Worship Pastor and his wife, Steve and Cassie Moore had just received their referral—twin boys!  While the little guys are in Ethiopia right now, they will soon be calling Paducah home!

When their pictures popped up on the screens, you could immediately feel the love in the room that the FBC family already has for these dear boys.  What a special time it was celebrating with Steve and Cassie about their wonderful news.

The Moore Boys join a bunch of other boys whose dads make up the FBC team.  The Wilsons have three boys.  The Cornetts have two little boys.  The Williamses have two little boys.  The Bankses have three boys.  The Arterburns have two boys.  The Bradys have four little boys.  Now we have two Moore boys!

God is good to allow our boys to share life together.  I can already see the Moore boys climbing on the pews and running down the halls.  I can hear them saying, “That’s my daddy up there playing the guitar!” I join many who can’t wait to get their hands on them and love them.

Steve and Cassie, we love all four of you and we can’t wait for you all to be together!

Pastor Todd

Thinking about What We Sing

Today’s church loves to sing Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend’s song, In Christ Alone.  In addition to being beautiful, the song is of course Christ-focused.  We powerfully proclaim the gospel whenever we sing In Christ Alone.

The church would do well to think more about her singing.  Rather than just going through the motions of mouthing the words, we must ensure that our hearts and minds are in tune with the words and notes which are coming out of our mouths.

The third line of In Christ Alone is a powerful expression of Christ’s sacrifice.

                In Christ alone who took on flesh; Fullness of God in helpless babe.

                This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save;

                ‘Til on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied;

                For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.

I recently sang this song where the words “The wrath of God was satisfied” had been changed to “The love of God was magnified.”  At first, the difference with this phrase doesn’t appear too drastic, but such a change seems to indicate a desire to focus on a different side of God’s character.

Indeed, on the cross the love of God was magnified.  However let us also not forget that it was there that the wrath of God was also satisfied. 

It’s kinder and gentler to focus on God’s love (“This gift of love and righteousness”), but regardless of how palatable to our modern sensibilities, we must remember that God’s gracious atonement not only displayed his relentless love, but also his divine wrath.

What God’s justice demands, His grace has supplied!

Romans 3:21-26

Pastor Todd

A Radical Life

Tonight, students at church streamed downstairs after spending time discussing the book Radical—Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream.  (A message all need to heed.)  I drove home praying that this generation of students would indeed resist the American Dream and that they would in fact live a radical life.

In addition to living a life which runs against the grain of what our American culture values, I found myself wanting to live a radical life.

It may seem radical in today’s society, but I long for the following during my lifetime:

*         A long, faithful marriage to one woman

*         A commitment to family

*         A life which honors God

Pastor Todd

FBC Life

Thanks for checking out our new blog! This is a great way to stay connected to FBC life. I look forward to sharing regularly about the good stuff in our fellowship through First Words.

God has brought new folks into our body recently. Steve Thompson and Laurie Throgmorton are officially with us and will be married at FBC next year. How thankful I am that Chris and Katherine Phillips and their boys are with us. God has brought Daniel Gibbs to be a part our body. Anton Jernigan recently stood before us and asked us to pray for him as he seeks to follow God. Be sure to pray for and welcome these dear people to FBC.

Midweek is the place to be on Wednesday nights! The food is top shelf, kids are swarming at AWANA, students gather for awaken, and adults stick around the tables for our Midweek Worship Gathering. The music is great, and God is blessing us as we worship him and focus on The Heart of the Matter. What a fantastic time to gather together with God’s people! It sure is good seeing you there.

I wasn’t allowed to attend the ladies event, but I have heard nothing but raving reviews about the evening with Julie and Jessica. As I looked at and prayed through the list of attendees, it was great to see the wide spectrum of ages and stages that gathered to hear these two ladies share about their walk with God.

Our Fall Festival is coming up! Don’t miss it. It’s going to be a great night.

Subscribe to First Words! I’ll try to keep you posted on life at FBC as well as speak to some matters of culture and family living. Thanks for checking this out. I look forward to seeing YOU soon!

 

Pastor Todd

Coming to a Cell Phone or Computer Near You!

First Words is a new feature allowing you to receive up-to-date and important information about the life and ministry of FBC. It's faster than a speeding newsletter and quicker than a church bulletin. In First Words, I'll be sharing about stuff that is going on among God's people at 2890 Broadway, and from time to time, I'll be writing my thoughts about Christian living and culture. Of course, I will also scribble about my life with boys--Jack, William, Isaac and Benjamin...as well as the life we are living with the lady of our lives!

Take a moment and sign up to subscribe to First Words. This is a great way to stay up-to-date with the latest FBC news.

It's also a great way for this pastor to communicate with some of the greatest people on the planet!

Pastor Todd