First Baptist Family of Asheboro, NC

  Colossians 1:15-17 is part of an old song, a hymn.   I’m reminded of a visit with my parents when my nieces discovered an old record player.   They didn’t know what it was!   I had the privilege of showing them how to use it and it was interesting to listen to it.   There’s something nostalgic about the crackling sound it makes.   This song, Colossians 1:15-17, is over 2,000 years old.   As we take communion together today this is a sacred moment for us.   We do this with our brothers and sisters around the world.   This song was sung by the earliest believers.   It’s a song about who Jesus is.   It’s an early hymn. Jesus is our Creator. In creation God is visible.                            15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, H...

  Psalm 84 is an image of people going to worship together and as they go it’s raining.   As they approach Jerusalem the rain reminds them of God’s strength.   May the rain remind us of God’s peace and strength today. A couple of weeks ago I ordered lunch and it came.   Everything was in order but there were 2 milkshakes we didn’t order!   We didn’t pay for those.   We got more than we deserved.   That’s grace!   God has given us so much more than a couple of milkshakes. In Colossians 1:1-14 Paul is writing from prison.   As he writes to the people of Colossae he reminds them of the grace and power of God. Paul was in prison for several years, quite a long time. God spoke to him and he wrote these letters.   If Paul wasn’t in prison we wouldn’t have these letters today.   In our imprisonments, in our times when we aren’t doing what we think we should be doing, God uses these times. Growth begins when we embrace grace.  ...

At 47 yrs old Valerie French had 2 massive strokes.  She couldn't walk or talk and was bedridden.  A lot of prayers went up for her.  Valerie wants everyone to know that God works miracles.  She couldn't talk but she worked in therapy and started walking.  She'd walk and walk.  She'd walk a mile a day.  Even though she could walk she still couldn't talk very well.  She also couldn't write.  Every day she'd try to write the alphabet for hours to practice.  Her strokes resulted in the non-use of her dominant right hand. She'd have her husband go to the library to get elementary school spelling books to learn to spell words again.  She said she lost the ability to do everything.  She had to relearn a lot.  She didn't even remember the names of her own children.  She relearned everything: how to eat, bathe, walk, talk, etc.   "God gave me the strength to keep working and working.  I couldn'...

I want to praise God and to share a time He has worked in my life. The experience shows how God used my emotional pain for my growth and answered my prayers only when I was ready and in a way that was best for me. My first wife and I came to Asheboro so I could work with Thad Moser and Wes Moser in their law firm, starting February 1, 1976. The office was in the Trollinger Building on Worth Street in Asheboro . My father died May 27, 1976. The funeral was at First United Methodist Church in Asheboro . He was buried in Asheboro . I helped mother as much as possible. I handled the estate. I missed Daddy’s advice and common sense. I did not deal fully with his death for years, not being able to cry or talk fully about it when I needed so much to do so. The senior partner in our firm, Thad Moser, died February 14, 1977. He was at his desk in the office when he slumped over. There was some confusion as to what to do. He was rushed to the hospital and cared for ...

The second part of Romans 8 is a song, a victory song from Paul.   This isn’t intended to be looked at for logical reasons.   This is a praise, a victory that Paul has found in Christ.   This is a product of a life of walking with God.   What’s it mean when God is for us?   Does God really care about us?   Paul has learned God cares for us and is with us.   If God is for us, what does this mean for us?   This transforms our lives. It’s like in the recent movie The Lion King.   Simba learns Mufasa cares about him.   His dad is with him.   That changes everything for him.   What difference does it make to know God is for us?   All things happening are in God’s control.   Paul knows there will be challenges in life.   It doesn’t matter what’s against us if God is for us. It doesn’t matter who is against us.                 ...