Pam: Pam continues working hard as Director of Student Services at Cumberland Law School. She is still recovering from foot surgery in September of last year.  Although walking again, it still gives her trouble if she is on it too much. She is glad that it has improved tremendously. Pam also serves as our music coordinator here at Tabernacle, directing the choir and organizing our special music. She is looking forward to another trip to England in July to work with the Law School at Cambridge University in their international program.

Julianna/Michael: Julianna received a promotion several months ago that will relocate her and Michael in Atlanta. But as to date, they haven’t been able to sell their home here in Homewood so she is having to commute a lot between the two cities and still traveling extensively with her responsibilities over four states. Michael travels a lot with his job as event coordinator for the Southern Company. He has struggled physically lately with a herniated disk in his neck and some bone spurs. He is hoping to avoid surgery with therapy, but I am beginning to think that it is going to take surgery for him to get well.

Jennifer/David: Jennifer continues to enjoy her position as a nurse practicing in a  plastic surgeons office in Carrollton, GA while David stays busy with Brown’s pools. Despite the recession, David’s area of remodeling pools continues to grow. They recently moved into their new house in Villa Rica, GA and this weekend they are celebrating their third anniversary.

Mom: Mom still lives in McDonough, GA. She is 77 years old and is still going strong and we look forward to the times that we can call and visit with her.

Myself: I am in my 19th year of pastoring GBT and administrating over TCS. I am serving my last year as president of the Alabama Christian Education Association. I still love preaching and teaching, and in several weeks, we will be sliding down the slopes in Lone Mountain of Big Sky, Montana.

I would love to hear from some of you that we haven’t heard from in a while. You can keep up with our ministry at www.gardendalebaptisttabernacle.org.

I certainly enjoyed the holiday break. Our first week we were able to go to Atlanta for a day and to see both Pam’s family as well as mine. It was a great time of fellowship. The second week of Christmas break, Pam and I took a few days off and went to Townsend, TN for some great hiking and biking. The Christmas winter storm had dumped about 14 inches there, and I don’t think I have seen Cades Cove more beautiful. We have always talked about staying in Townsend instead of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, but this was the first time we have actually done it with the intent to just find a quiet place and rest. I found a new mountain road for biking that is rarely used and it provided some great scenery with the snow cover, and believe it or not, another bear siting.

We enjoyed the special services in December. Our choir did a great job the night of the Cantata and, as always, our candlelight service was a special time with our people.  Last Sunday we began a brief New Year’s Series that we have entitled, “A New Hear for a New Year”. You can go to the sermon file to listen to the first two sermons.

We have no idea what might be in store for GBT in the next 12 months, but we are praying and planning and working hard to continue to be the best church that we can be. Please join us in our efforts. Let your new year’s resolution be, more than anything, to build God’s Kingdom and to build a stronger and happier family.

Our Christmas series continues. Thus far we have chosen the words “peace” and “joy” as they relate to the Christmas story. This Sunday morning we will look at the word “Hope”, and this Sunday night Bro. Andrew will look at the words “Wonderful Counselor”.

Click HERE to see a few clips from the cantata.

December is always a special month around Tabernacle. It begins with the Torch Classic, the longest running Christian school tournament in Alabama. This year the varsity boys team finished third out of eight teams.

Today we had a Christmas production from the drama class. How do those students memorize so many lines? Last Sunday I began my Christmas series, ” Christmas Words”.

Pam took the day off so she and others could get the auditorium ready for Sunday night’s Christmas program. Our administrator Bro. Dickson tells me that first semester exams begin on Monday followed by several other Christmas programs and the staff brunch and then……the actual holidays!!…I think I need a nap already!

But with all that’s scheduled, there is nothing like this very special time. Let’s be thankful to God that he has given us another year to celebrate the birth of His Son and our Savior!!

If you wanted to see the DVD clip again you can find it HERE on our church Facebook page. It was hard to see with the lighting in the gym, so check it out again on your computer.

In yesterday’s message we talked about the Sacrifices of Thanksgiving…..

• The Sacrifices of our Person
• The Sacrifices of our Praise
• The Sacrifices of our Possessions

I certainly hope that everyone gave something to the Timothy House project……I have no doubt that those dormitories will allow for many young men to be saved and eventually called of God to go back to their villages with the gospel. Thanks for caring as well as giving!

If you were unable to be with us yesterday morning, you can listen to the sermon by clicking HERE.

Here they are, called of God and with a burden on their heart for a country or people and all they need is financial support to go.

Now I realize that our church, like any other church, cannot possibly support every missionary that needs support. Nevertheless, it really bothers me to know that there are people needing the gospel and there are missionaries who have to wait sometimes 2-4 years before they can get to the field and share with those who are without Christ.

It makes me evaluate and ask the question, is there a better way? I know a lot of members give sacrificially to missions. And yes, there are some I am sure that never give, but I would assume that would only be a handful.

I know it is the responsibility of the church and not the government to send missionaries, but when I think of all the silly and sometimes devilish programs that the federal government funds, oh how I wish that money could be earmarked for missions.

In the meantime, I will continue to give and lead our church in doing all that we can for the cause of reaching as many as possible until Jesus comes back.

After all, that is what it’s all about!!!

Here’s a look at this week’s entire SEC Power Rankings:

1. Auburn: The Tigers (9-0, 6-0 SEC) ….As much as it pains me to rank Auburn this high, you cannot deny the facts. They are unbeaten and have the most exciting player in the nation at QB. Their defense continues to give up a lot of points, and I hope when the Iron Bowl comes around Alabama can keep Auburn’s offense off the field and score a lot of points.

2. Alabama: …. The LSU game will be the first of three games remaining against nationally ranked SEC foes.  It will be a tough game with defenses dominating, but lets hope the combination of Ingram/Richardson can wear them down. I just hope we don’t have to depend on Greg throwing the ball to win!!….ROLL TIDE!

3. LSU: …Coming off a bye week at home, the Tigers will be tough….Hope Kirby forces them to throw …that has been their Achilles heal.

4. South Carolina: The “ole” ball coach has taken back over the play-calling….that’s good but I predict Arkansas will outscore them in an upset.

5. Arkansas: Some key injuries but I think this will be Mallet’s highlight game.

6. Mississippi State:..Off this week, but winning ugly is still better than not winning….Coach Mullins is doing a great job building confidence…. next week,watch out Alabama.

7. Florida: Think Coach Meyers figured some things out about his offense….man, I wish Georgia had won that game!

8. Georgia: There is no denying that Ga. has a mental block about Fla……Easy win this week at home against  Idaho State…thank goodness it’s not Boise State. Will have to win out to salvage a decent bowl game….but I want to go on record that I still love Coach Richt and he can be my coach forever!

9. Kentucky: A heartbreak season with all their close losses ….but they are so much better than they were a decade ago.

10. Ole Miss: Injuries have taken a toll on the Rebels (3-5, 1-4)…. A lot of key injuries on defense….this team is not as bad as its record…look for them to finish strong.

11. Tennessee: what a wreck Lane Kiffen caused in his short tenure, but I predict they will recruit well the next 2 seasons because there is a lot of opportunity to play as a freshman.

12. Vanderbilt: What can you say? Vandy is the Vandy of old

Proud of our Torches who lost in the playoffs last week….gave the number 1 seed something to worry about for 2 1/2 quarters….Good job players and coaches and thanks fans for making the trip!

Congratulations to our coaches, players, support staff, and especially to the parents who helped out in so many ways. See you tonight at 7pm.

Our first missionary was veteran missionary Marjorie Tatter, serving now in her 30th year in Chad, Africa, where she has seen scores of children won to Christ. She showed a 12 minute DVD presentation and then gave us an update about returning to the field in January and how God had changed the heart of one of the political leaders who espoused Islam, and how he had chastised the local Inman’s for their religion of hate and told them that it was the evangelical missionaries that were truly helping their people.

Next, we had missionary Amy Blackburn serving in South Africa. She also has a ministry to children and has returned this past year from her first term. Everyone was very impressed with Amy’s servant spirit.

Thirdly we had a young couple, Daniel and Heather Jordan, who had stopped to worship with us. Their family is headed to Bozeman, Montana to plant a church. They were very gracious and I hope that they will be able to come by at another time.

I realize in some churches, Wednesday night Bible study and prayer time has become a forgotten hour, but my prayer is that it will always be a valuable time at GBT and that more of our people will take advantage of the good things at our midweek service.

Click HERE to read the article.