Posts
Love Song: Where Are They Now?
3 years ago
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Free Dental Clinic Needs Volunteers
Mission of Mercy Dental Clinic October 28,29 Recreation Center KDH
Free services will be provided to the adult underserved population of the area on a first-come, first-served basis.
The North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NCMOM) offers free dental treatment to those in financial need who have few or no other options for care. In North Carolina, the problem of access to dental care has reached nearly epidemic proportions. More than one million adults and children have no source for regular dental care. Many have never seen a dentist, and many suffer the complications of advanced dental disease. The NCMOM program is staffed by volunteers from across the State and funded by tax deductible donations to the NC Dental Health Fund. For more information, contact the North Carolina Dental Society at (919) 677-1396.
Should you need additional information a Volunteer Information Pamphlet is available.
Free services will be provided to the adult underserved population of the area on a first-come, first-served basis.
The North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NCMOM) offers free dental treatment to those in financial need who have few or no other options for care. In North Carolina, the problem of access to dental care has reached nearly epidemic proportions. More than one million adults and children have no source for regular dental care. Many have never seen a dentist, and many suffer the complications of advanced dental disease. The NCMOM program is staffed by volunteers from across the State and funded by tax deductible donations to the NC Dental Health Fund. For more information, contact the North Carolina Dental Society at (919) 677-1396.
Should you need additional information a Volunteer Information Pamphlet is available.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Reaching Out in Rome
Sunday, September 25 we'll be receiving a love offering to help Taylor Edmonds and her team get this building outfitted to reach out to their mission in Rome.
Hatteras Island Stories
Have a Hatteras Island story to share? Tell us in the comments section, or contact Nathan.
This week, Danny Plyler and I met five people while working with the North Carolina Baptist Men on Hatteras Island that I would like to tell you about.
Bob
We met Bob on the ferry from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe on Thursday night. We spend about 2 hours with Bob. Bob lives in Nags Head, works construction for a big company. He has been working on the south end of the breach at Mirlo Beach, moving sand and building the temporary bridge so the road can be reopened. He is in charge of bringing the tractors and bulldozers across, so he has already made about 15 round trips on the ferry in the past 3 weeks, which comes to about 60 hours on the ferry.
Bob is in his late forties, married for about 25 years with nine children. His youngest is only a year old, born via emergency C-section and now lives with a form of Cerebral Palsy. He and I had that in common, and by the time we arrived in Rodanthe, we had exchanged phone numbers. He and his family aren't involved in a church, and he has never visited my church, but has heard about our band and was excited about coming to visit soon.
Bob was obviously a hard worker, talked about how he enjoyed his job and was grateful to be able to help the people on Hatteras Island. We prayed with him for his son.
Marty
Marty and his wife worked with us all day on Friday, helping to gut two houses. Originally from TN, both he and his wife lost their jobs, then lost their home in the past few years. They then sold all of their possessions except for one car and any necessities they could fit in it, and have now been living out of their car for a year or two. They have four adult children and a few grandkids.
When Irene hit, they immediately felt God calling them to come out to the coast and find someway to help. The first landed in Virginia Beach, but couldn't find much to do there. After a few days, they moved onto Elizabeth City, NC and stayed for a few days at a local church. There, they heard about the need for help on Hatteras Island and contacted the NC Baptist Men. They were given special permission to catch the ferry and have been working there for about a week.
Marty and his wife can relate better than most to the situation of those in need on the island. Many people there have lost everything, and these two have spent just as much time just sitting and listening/talking with people as they have doing physical labor, which I know is a huge blessing. NCBM have housed them in a few different places. They are planning to stay as long as they are needed, and they don't yet know where they will go and what they will do when they are done there.
Jean
Jean lives in Rodanthe. We met her just a few hours before we caught the ferry on Friday evening for home. Her two-story house is on the sound side of HWY 12, maybe a hundred yards from the sound. Her first floor, which houses her business/shop was flooded, and they lost all three of their vehicles. Her husband works on the ferries and hasn't been able to spend much time at home cleaning. They have had the carpet removed, but that is only major thing that has been down downstairs. Mold appeared within a few days and is now taking over the entire first level.
Jean is living in the second floor, and she has become sick, most likely due to the mold that she is breathing in every day and night. She was coughing when we spoke with her, and she was obviously very emotionally worn down. She also helps care for her three grandsons when she can. Whether she has chosen not to taken advantage of insurance, FEMA and organizations like NCBM, or she is still waiting on help to arrive was unclear, but unless she receives help soon, her house will become unlivable and she will become very, very sick.
We left Jean with a few gift cards for Food Lion, and after trying to contact a friend of hers who also needed help, left a few more gift cards with her for her friend. She was crying as we left her.
Bryan
Bryan and his wife and young daughter lost nearly everything they own, with only a foot of water in their house. When we arrived to help him on Friday afternoon, he had already emptied the house, ripped out the lower half of every wall, and was in the middle of ripping out his subflooring and insulation. Bryan's family has lived on Hatteras Island for over 50 years, his parents and grandparents all live close by, and they all also lost everything. They have been living in temporary housing a few blocks away.
Bryan's house was built well above the highest flood levels every seen on Hatteras Island. After the water began to come into their house around midnight, they threw their daughter on an air mattress and waded through chest deep water down the street to their neighbor's two story house. By sunrise, the water was gone.
Bryan and his wife were positive and upbeat about this all. They were thankful to be alive, and they were thankful that they were going to be able to start over again with help from insurance. By the time we left that afternoon, we had helped him finish all the demo in his house...now he is just waiting on a final word from his insurance company before he begins rebuilding.
Kenny
We met Kenny at dinner at the community center in Rodanthe while we were waiting for the 7:30 Friday ferry back to Stumpy Point. Kenny is an older gentlman, white hair and mustache, reminds me of somebody's favorite grandfather. From Arkansas, Kenny had never been to NC before, and had never seen the Atlantic Ocean. He is a semi-retired truck driver who got a call from his old boss just after the storm hit and was in his car driving to the OBX that same night. He has spent the last two weeks on the northern beaches driving a dump truck, cleaning up debris...he even made the front page of our local newspaper.
Kenny had just arrived that afternoon on Hatteras Island for the first time, one of the first trucks over to begin collecting debris. He had never been on a ferry, never crossed so many bridges before, and had never eaten canned pears (part of dinner that night)...he liked the pears, thought all the water under the bridges was the ocean until somebody told him otherwise, and spent his entire trip on the ferry standing on the bow of the boat looking for dolphins. He told his wife and he was going to bring her back to the OBX on vacation.
Kenny was amazed at how many people had thanked him, shook his hand, given him food and drink the past two weeks while he was just "doing my job". He was also amazed at the devastation, and as we rode back with him on Friday night's ferry, we showed him the video we had shot earlier that day of the debris he would be spending the next several days cleaning up.
These are just a few of the people we met during our 24 hour trip. The overwhelming majority of residents in Rodanthe, Waves an Salvo have some damage to their homes, most of those have lost nearly everything they own, and most of those are unable to live at home right now. The debris is just beginning to be cleaned up, and there are many, many homes that haven't even begun to be cleaned. There is standing water everywhere, due to the over saturated ground and the continuing rain, which is infested with mosquitoes and is becoming stagnant and dangerous. Once already, because of ferry delays due to weather, the entire island has run short on food.
The national media has forgotten about Hatteras Island. But that hasn't stopped many people from all over the country from coming to help. But, only the tip of the iceberg has been seen, and they desperately need your help. Donations are appreciated, but the greatest need is manpower. If you can spare any time, please contact the North Carolina Baptist Men Disaster Relief http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief and ask how you can help.
This week, Danny Plyler and I met five people while working with the North Carolina Baptist Men on Hatteras Island that I would like to tell you about.
Bob
We met Bob on the ferry from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe on Thursday night. We spend about 2 hours with Bob. Bob lives in Nags Head, works construction for a big company. He has been working on the south end of the breach at Mirlo Beach, moving sand and building the temporary bridge so the road can be reopened. He is in charge of bringing the tractors and bulldozers across, so he has already made about 15 round trips on the ferry in the past 3 weeks, which comes to about 60 hours on the ferry.
Bob is in his late forties, married for about 25 years with nine children. His youngest is only a year old, born via emergency C-section and now lives with a form of Cerebral Palsy. He and I had that in common, and by the time we arrived in Rodanthe, we had exchanged phone numbers. He and his family aren't involved in a church, and he has never visited my church, but has heard about our band and was excited about coming to visit soon.
Bob was obviously a hard worker, talked about how he enjoyed his job and was grateful to be able to help the people on Hatteras Island. We prayed with him for his son.
Marty
Marty and his wife worked with us all day on Friday, helping to gut two houses. Originally from TN, both he and his wife lost their jobs, then lost their home in the past few years. They then sold all of their possessions except for one car and any necessities they could fit in it, and have now been living out of their car for a year or two. They have four adult children and a few grandkids.
When Irene hit, they immediately felt God calling them to come out to the coast and find someway to help. The first landed in Virginia Beach, but couldn't find much to do there. After a few days, they moved onto Elizabeth City, NC and stayed for a few days at a local church. There, they heard about the need for help on Hatteras Island and contacted the NC Baptist Men. They were given special permission to catch the ferry and have been working there for about a week.
Marty and his wife can relate better than most to the situation of those in need on the island. Many people there have lost everything, and these two have spent just as much time just sitting and listening/talking with people as they have doing physical labor, which I know is a huge blessing. NCBM have housed them in a few different places. They are planning to stay as long as they are needed, and they don't yet know where they will go and what they will do when they are done there.
Jean
Jean lives in Rodanthe. We met her just a few hours before we caught the ferry on Friday evening for home. Her two-story house is on the sound side of HWY 12, maybe a hundred yards from the sound. Her first floor, which houses her business/shop was flooded, and they lost all three of their vehicles. Her husband works on the ferries and hasn't been able to spend much time at home cleaning. They have had the carpet removed, but that is only major thing that has been down downstairs. Mold appeared within a few days and is now taking over the entire first level.
Jean is living in the second floor, and she has become sick, most likely due to the mold that she is breathing in every day and night. She was coughing when we spoke with her, and she was obviously very emotionally worn down. She also helps care for her three grandsons when she can. Whether she has chosen not to taken advantage of insurance, FEMA and organizations like NCBM, or she is still waiting on help to arrive was unclear, but unless she receives help soon, her house will become unlivable and she will become very, very sick.
We left Jean with a few gift cards for Food Lion, and after trying to contact a friend of hers who also needed help, left a few more gift cards with her for her friend. She was crying as we left her.
Bryan
Bryan and his wife and young daughter lost nearly everything they own, with only a foot of water in their house. When we arrived to help him on Friday afternoon, he had already emptied the house, ripped out the lower half of every wall, and was in the middle of ripping out his subflooring and insulation. Bryan's family has lived on Hatteras Island for over 50 years, his parents and grandparents all live close by, and they all also lost everything. They have been living in temporary housing a few blocks away.
Bryan's house was built well above the highest flood levels every seen on Hatteras Island. After the water began to come into their house around midnight, they threw their daughter on an air mattress and waded through chest deep water down the street to their neighbor's two story house. By sunrise, the water was gone.
Bryan and his wife were positive and upbeat about this all. They were thankful to be alive, and they were thankful that they were going to be able to start over again with help from insurance. By the time we left that afternoon, we had helped him finish all the demo in his house...now he is just waiting on a final word from his insurance company before he begins rebuilding.
Kenny
We met Kenny at dinner at the community center in Rodanthe while we were waiting for the 7:30 Friday ferry back to Stumpy Point. Kenny is an older gentlman, white hair and mustache, reminds me of somebody's favorite grandfather. From Arkansas, Kenny had never been to NC before, and had never seen the Atlantic Ocean. He is a semi-retired truck driver who got a call from his old boss just after the storm hit and was in his car driving to the OBX that same night. He has spent the last two weeks on the northern beaches driving a dump truck, cleaning up debris...he even made the front page of our local newspaper.
Kenny had just arrived that afternoon on Hatteras Island for the first time, one of the first trucks over to begin collecting debris. He had never been on a ferry, never crossed so many bridges before, and had never eaten canned pears (part of dinner that night)...he liked the pears, thought all the water under the bridges was the ocean until somebody told him otherwise, and spent his entire trip on the ferry standing on the bow of the boat looking for dolphins. He told his wife and he was going to bring her back to the OBX on vacation.
Kenny was amazed at how many people had thanked him, shook his hand, given him food and drink the past two weeks while he was just "doing my job". He was also amazed at the devastation, and as we rode back with him on Friday night's ferry, we showed him the video we had shot earlier that day of the debris he would be spending the next several days cleaning up.
These are just a few of the people we met during our 24 hour trip. The overwhelming majority of residents in Rodanthe, Waves an Salvo have some damage to their homes, most of those have lost nearly everything they own, and most of those are unable to live at home right now. The debris is just beginning to be cleaned up, and there are many, many homes that haven't even begun to be cleaned. There is standing water everywhere, due to the over saturated ground and the continuing rain, which is infested with mosquitoes and is becoming stagnant and dangerous. Once already, because of ferry delays due to weather, the entire island has run short on food.
The national media has forgotten about Hatteras Island. But that hasn't stopped many people from all over the country from coming to help. But, only the tip of the iceberg has been seen, and they desperately need your help. Donations are appreciated, but the greatest need is manpower. If you can spare any time, please contact the North Carolina Baptist Men Disaster Relief http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief and ask how you can help.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
New CLI Course: How To Get the Most Out of Your Bible
"How to Get the Most Out of Your Bible" is a CLI course for NHCers starting on Sunday evening, October 9 from 5 to 7PM.
This is an EXCELLENT class for every believer. The class will be for 7 weeks and is taught by Sam L Knight. Registration is via email to info@nagsheadchurch.org or Communication Card.
A textbook, "Living By the Book" by H. Hendricks is required. The accompanying workbook is optional. Please order your book in time for the October 9 class start.
CLI stands for "Christian Life Intensives", and are one facet of our strategy to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus. This is not a Connection Group or a Quest Bible study, but class with a well-qualified teacher.
If you have questions, email Sam at skforgiven@gmail.com.
This is an EXCELLENT class for every believer. The class will be for 7 weeks and is taught by Sam L Knight. Registration is via email to info@nagsheadchurch.org or Communication Card.
A textbook, "Living By the Book" by H. Hendricks is required. The accompanying workbook is optional. Please order your book in time for the October 9 class start.
CLI stands for "Christian Life Intensives", and are one facet of our strategy to develop fully devoted followers of Jesus. This is not a Connection Group or a Quest Bible study, but class with a well-qualified teacher.
If you have questions, email Sam at skforgiven@gmail.com.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
NEW Hatteras Island Donation List- updated Tuesday 9/20
Through Thursday afternoon, Nags Head Church will be accepting donations of the following items. These items will be transported to Hatteras this Thursday evening/Friday morning by partners of NHC. If possible, please bring items in a plastic tote to the church building during normal office hours. Any and all donations are welcome and greatly appreciated, although the items toward the top of the list are the most needed.
Plastic Totes
Men’s Shaving Cream
Men’s Razors
Bug Spray for inside ants
Home Cleaning Supplies
Shop Vac
Sock (all sizes and kinds)
Rubber Boots
Rain Gear - Hooded windbreakers
Ladies Underwear/Bras - women's briefs
Men’s Briefs- M L XL
PJ’s (all sizes)
Dove Soap and/or Body Wash
Toothpaste
Mouth Wash
Facial Cleanser/Moisturizer
Ladies Personal Wipes
Hair Brushes
Q-Tips
Cotton Balls
Anti Bacterial Cream
Alcohol (medicinal)
Peroxide
Band-Aids
T-shirts
Baby diapers/wipes/formula
We are also accepting monetary donations and gift cards to Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Local Pharmacies and will be happy to do the shopping for you if you can't do it yourself.
Contact Chris Davis at 704-500-7956 if you have any questions about this list, if you would like him to come to your house to pick up items (if you cannot bring them to the church), of if you are interested in traveling to Hatteras on Friday.
Plastic Totes
Men’s Shaving Cream
Men’s Razors
Bug Spray for inside ants
Home Cleaning Supplies
Shop Vac
Sock (all sizes and kinds)
Rubber Boots
Rain Gear - Hooded windbreakers
Ladies Underwear/Bras - women's briefs
Men’s Briefs- M L XL
PJ’s (all sizes)
Dove Soap and/or Body Wash
Toothpaste
Mouth Wash
Facial Cleanser/Moisturizer
Ladies Personal Wipes
Hair Brushes
Q-Tips
Cotton Balls
Anti Bacterial Cream
Alcohol (medicinal)
Peroxide
Band-Aids
T-shirts
Baby diapers/wipes/formula
We are also accepting monetary donations and gift cards to Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Local Pharmacies and will be happy to do the shopping for you if you can't do it yourself.
Contact Chris Davis at 704-500-7956 if you have any questions about this list, if you would like him to come to your house to pick up items (if you cannot bring them to the church), of if you are interested in traveling to Hatteras on Friday.
Sunday Feedback September 18
Tom Lee brought a message about ministry - serving one another - at Nags Head Church. How did it encourage you to get involved? What about Tony's story?
And if you want to get a head start on Sunday, read the book of Galatians this week.
And if you want to get a head start on Sunday, read the book of Galatians this week.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Volunteers Needed on Hatteras Island
Over 1,100 projects are completed and approximately 40 have accepted Jesus. But the work is not complete. We need volunteers to help us finish what was started. You don't have to be trained in Recovery to participate. We can put you with an experienced team if needed.
The type of work is tree debris removal and mudout/tearout. We are working in Belhaven, Greenville, Kinston, New Bern and the Outer Banks.
To sign-up, please go to the following link: http://baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Irene/Get-Involved
Sincerely,
Gaylon Moss
Note: The team in Salvo is accepting able-bodied volunteers. NCBM training is not a requirement. Contact Rick for more info.
The type of work is tree debris removal and mudout/tearout. We are working in Belhaven, Greenville, Kinston, New Bern and the Outer Banks.
To sign-up, please go to the following link: http://baptistsonmission.org/Projects/Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Irene/Get-Involved
Sincerely,
Gaylon Moss
Note: The team in Salvo is accepting able-bodied volunteers. NCBM training is not a requirement. Contact Rick for more info.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday Feedback September 11
We will never forget. We will always remember.
What did you see, hear and experience that God used Sunday to get your attention drawn to Him?
And if you attended the picnic, share about that as well.
What did you see, hear and experience that God used Sunday to get your attention drawn to Him?
And if you attended the picnic, share about that as well.
Friday, September 9, 2011
In My Seat - The Pilot Who Got Bumped from Flight 11
So what's your life objective? This 15.5 minute video is a powerful and gripping testimony.
Kick off Night Tonight at NHC
At 7PM tonight we will worship and kick off our Fall Connection Groups year. This is when all our group leaders will be signing us up for the fall groups.
We'll also be announcing a change for First Wednesdays tonight.
Child care through 1st graders is being provided.
The MHS/FFHS football game has been postponed to Monday night due to mosquito spraying, so if that was your plan, now you can make the Kick Off at NHC.
And a couple other weekend reminders:
The Ladies Brunch has been cancelled.
The Picnic is on - Sunday at 3PM at Rec Park.
We'll also be announcing a change for First Wednesdays tonight.
Child care through 1st graders is being provided.
The MHS/FFHS football game has been postponed to Monday night due to mosquito spraying, so if that was your plan, now you can make the Kick Off at NHC.
And a couple other weekend reminders:
The Ladies Brunch has been cancelled.
The Picnic is on - Sunday at 3PM at Rec Park.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Teaching Christian Stewardship to Your Kids
Recently two different young men, both fathers of young children, commented to me about my children. My kids are now all adults, married, and doing well, for which I thank God and their mother! These two men were noticing things about my children and the people they’ve become.
No family is perfect. All of us have our flaws. But as I reflected on their observations about my children and how they were reared, I thought about some of the values that we instilled in them. With so much emphasis today in the news being on debt, both personal and national, it behooves us as parents to do all we can by word and example to help our children not only appreciate money, but how to handle it.
When Nathan was twelve or so he was taken to the bank to open a savings account. He had begun to cut grass, and we knew that if he was going to keep from going through his earnings buying baseball cards, he needed some guidance. So, first he was taught that ten percent of his earnings were to be given back to God. That would leave him with 90%, and of that one half needed to be put into his savings account.
A couple of years later when his account had a balance of $1000, I took him to the bank to withdraw it. By now, he had purchased his own lawn mower and with a donated and rebuilt trailer and help from his parents with transportation, his business had branched out significantly. But, the miniscule interest rate he was earning in a passbook savings account wasn’t enough.
We set out to teach him something about being a good steward, sort of like Jesus parable on the talents in Matthew 25. Two of the servants wisely invested what their master had given them, saw their investments reap dividends and were rewarded. One, however, afraid to take a risk with his master’s money, foolishly buried it in the ground. As a result, what he had was taken away and given to the other servants. On top of that he was punished. Investing is for the future and Jesus gave it His implicit approval.
On his behalf I had done some shopping for CD rates at the local banks and found that a different bank than where he had his savings account offered the best rate. So, one day we drove to the bank and he withdrew $1000…cash money. I wanted him to hold $1000 of his own money in his hands for the 5 minutes it took to drive to the other bank. His eyes got big; especially when he began to think what he could do with that thousand. But he didn’t spend a penny of it. He invested it in certificates of deposit, with a substantially higher interest rate.
A year later, when it came time for the CDs to mature, we went back to the bank and once again he withdrew the $1000 plus interest, and after talking to the financial advisor at the bank, put his money into mutual funds. Fortunately for him, this was in the late 90’s and some of his funds were earning 20% interest and better!
He continued to put earnings into these accounts with the discipline he had been taught. And by the time he graduated from high school and set out to college his funds totaled more than $20,000! That’s a lot of dinero from cutting grass for an 18 year old. By the way, along the way he had purchased his own truck, a new, larger trailer, a riding mower, weed eater, blower…all the tools needed to grow his business…a business he continued through college.
The money he had earned, saved and invested, along with scholarships paid for his college expenses.
Our girls followed suit. They didn’t go into business for themselves, but both found summer employment early on in high school, and with their savings bought their own cars when they were ready to drive. Gail and I did not buy them. In fact, I remember teaching Rachel how to change the oil in her first car so she could save money.
What were some of the lessons they learned?
• If I want it I need to work for it. We believe a good, honest work ethic is both Christian and American. There were no entitlements in our house.
• When I purchase something with my hard earned money I’ll take better care of it. Ask Nathan sometime about learning the importance of having oil in your lawn mower engine.
• Do a little bit more than I’m expected to do by my boss or customers. Good service might result in greater reward. Bad service will result in loss.
• Everything I have is God’s. But I honor Him with a tithe.
• If I save and wisely invest, God’s money in my hands can grow and be useful in my future. You work hard for your money. Let some of it work for you.
• The more I have, the more I can give to God. That’s not hard to figure out, and should be motivation enough for the Christian to be a good steward.
Like most everyone else, I am naturally concerned about the direction of our economic system. Unless our society as a whole, not just our government, but our citizenry learns those same lessons, we’re sunk. We have recently witnessed in the UK what happens when a generation has not learned to work, save and invest, but instead depends on the government to meet its needs. A culture believing they are entitled to be cared for by others is in so many ways contrary to a Christian work ethic.
I believe that for the most part, how to handle money is passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, as parents we need to take the time to teach our children that money is not evil. Living for money is the cause of all kinds of evil. But at the same time, living without money because of wasteful spending or no plan for saving for emergencies or the future is being a poor manager of the master’s resources. Teach them to give generously to God. And let them see you practicing what you preach.
No family is perfect. All of us have our flaws. But as I reflected on their observations about my children and how they were reared, I thought about some of the values that we instilled in them. With so much emphasis today in the news being on debt, both personal and national, it behooves us as parents to do all we can by word and example to help our children not only appreciate money, but how to handle it.
When Nathan was twelve or so he was taken to the bank to open a savings account. He had begun to cut grass, and we knew that if he was going to keep from going through his earnings buying baseball cards, he needed some guidance. So, first he was taught that ten percent of his earnings were to be given back to God. That would leave him with 90%, and of that one half needed to be put into his savings account.
A couple of years later when his account had a balance of $1000, I took him to the bank to withdraw it. By now, he had purchased his own lawn mower and with a donated and rebuilt trailer and help from his parents with transportation, his business had branched out significantly. But, the miniscule interest rate he was earning in a passbook savings account wasn’t enough.
We set out to teach him something about being a good steward, sort of like Jesus parable on the talents in Matthew 25. Two of the servants wisely invested what their master had given them, saw their investments reap dividends and were rewarded. One, however, afraid to take a risk with his master’s money, foolishly buried it in the ground. As a result, what he had was taken away and given to the other servants. On top of that he was punished. Investing is for the future and Jesus gave it His implicit approval.
On his behalf I had done some shopping for CD rates at the local banks and found that a different bank than where he had his savings account offered the best rate. So, one day we drove to the bank and he withdrew $1000…cash money. I wanted him to hold $1000 of his own money in his hands for the 5 minutes it took to drive to the other bank. His eyes got big; especially when he began to think what he could do with that thousand. But he didn’t spend a penny of it. He invested it in certificates of deposit, with a substantially higher interest rate.
A year later, when it came time for the CDs to mature, we went back to the bank and once again he withdrew the $1000 plus interest, and after talking to the financial advisor at the bank, put his money into mutual funds. Fortunately for him, this was in the late 90’s and some of his funds were earning 20% interest and better!
He continued to put earnings into these accounts with the discipline he had been taught. And by the time he graduated from high school and set out to college his funds totaled more than $20,000! That’s a lot of dinero from cutting grass for an 18 year old. By the way, along the way he had purchased his own truck, a new, larger trailer, a riding mower, weed eater, blower…all the tools needed to grow his business…a business he continued through college.
The money he had earned, saved and invested, along with scholarships paid for his college expenses.
Our girls followed suit. They didn’t go into business for themselves, but both found summer employment early on in high school, and with their savings bought their own cars when they were ready to drive. Gail and I did not buy them. In fact, I remember teaching Rachel how to change the oil in her first car so she could save money.
What were some of the lessons they learned?
• If I want it I need to work for it. We believe a good, honest work ethic is both Christian and American. There were no entitlements in our house.
• When I purchase something with my hard earned money I’ll take better care of it. Ask Nathan sometime about learning the importance of having oil in your lawn mower engine.
• Do a little bit more than I’m expected to do by my boss or customers. Good service might result in greater reward. Bad service will result in loss.
• Everything I have is God’s. But I honor Him with a tithe.
• If I save and wisely invest, God’s money in my hands can grow and be useful in my future. You work hard for your money. Let some of it work for you.
• The more I have, the more I can give to God. That’s not hard to figure out, and should be motivation enough for the Christian to be a good steward.
Like most everyone else, I am naturally concerned about the direction of our economic system. Unless our society as a whole, not just our government, but our citizenry learns those same lessons, we’re sunk. We have recently witnessed in the UK what happens when a generation has not learned to work, save and invest, but instead depends on the government to meet its needs. A culture believing they are entitled to be cared for by others is in so many ways contrary to a Christian work ethic.
I believe that for the most part, how to handle money is passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, as parents we need to take the time to teach our children that money is not evil. Living for money is the cause of all kinds of evil. But at the same time, living without money because of wasteful spending or no plan for saving for emergencies or the future is being a poor manager of the master’s resources. Teach them to give generously to God. And let them see you practicing what you preach.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Aerial Spraying For Mosquitoes Planned
An aerial spray operation has been scheduled this week for over 50,000 acres within Dare County to help reduce the number of mosquitoes resulting from flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. The aerial application will begin Thursday evening, September 8 at approximately 6:30pm and continue until about 2:00am, weather permitting. September 9th and 10th will be back up days in case of bad weather. The aerial application may take 2 days to complete. Dibrom® is the pesticide being applied at the rate of 0.75 fluid ounces per acre.
The aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to surveillance findings that indicate greatly increased mosquito populations and also due to the limited road accessibility in portions of the County.
Although a person's chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are very low, the Dare County Department of Public Health offers the following steps to reduce exposure to pesticides during spraying:
• Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
• Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
• Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Should you feel you are experiencing health effects from spraying, please consult your doctor.
For more information, please contact Dare County Department of Public Health at 252-475-5003 or Dare County Public Works at 252-475-5880.
Melody C. Clopton, SPHR
Management Assistant
The aerial spray operation is being conducted in response to surveillance findings that indicate greatly increased mosquito populations and also due to the limited road accessibility in portions of the County.
Although a person's chances of experiencing any health effects from spraying are very low, the Dare County Department of Public Health offers the following steps to reduce exposure to pesticides during spraying:
• Remain indoors when pesticides are sprayed in your immediate area.
• Close windows and doors before spraying begins.
• Wash homegrown fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Should you feel you are experiencing health effects from spraying, please consult your doctor.
For more information, please contact Dare County Department of Public Health at 252-475-5003 or Dare County Public Works at 252-475-5880.
Melody C. Clopton, SPHR
Management Assistant
One of those weeks created one of those weeks
September is always a busy month as lots of things get cranked back up after the summer. But when a hurricane comes in to play the last week of August, it not only wreaks havoc in physical ways, it creates a logjam in the calendar.
Last week as we jumped into recovery mode, it became necessary to put everything that was previously scheduled on the back burner or reschedule. This week we're seeing way more lumped into one week than we certainly would prefer.
We try, at NHC, to keep from becoming a "something at church every night" church. In fact, we work hard at not allowing that to happen. But Irene's surge followed by a holiday weekend has pushed a bunch of things together.
The Connection Group Leader training that was to be held on Sunday, Aug. 28 has been moved to Wednesday night, Sept. 7.
Our youth begin their new schedule this week, with middle school on Wednesday night and high school on Thursday night. But last week's storm moved FFMS open house to this Wednesday night. What do you do? Andy says there will be middle school youth tonight at the church for those who can make it.
Friday night is our planned Kick off for our Connection Groups. It's also a change from the past, moving "First Wednesday" to Friday nights. There is child care through 1st graders.
Saturday morning is the Ladies Ministry Brunch at Kelly's.
Saturday night, that last installment of the Financial Peace University (previously scheduled for the night of Irene's arrival) is at 5:00.
Sunday morning is normal!
Sunday after the 11:00 gathering we have a lunch and new partner interviews.
Sunday at 4:00 is our Fall Church picnic.
Did you get all that?
Trust me. This too shall pass!
Last week as we jumped into recovery mode, it became necessary to put everything that was previously scheduled on the back burner or reschedule. This week we're seeing way more lumped into one week than we certainly would prefer.
We try, at NHC, to keep from becoming a "something at church every night" church. In fact, we work hard at not allowing that to happen. But Irene's surge followed by a holiday weekend has pushed a bunch of things together.
The Connection Group Leader training that was to be held on Sunday, Aug. 28 has been moved to Wednesday night, Sept. 7.
Our youth begin their new schedule this week, with middle school on Wednesday night and high school on Thursday night. But last week's storm moved FFMS open house to this Wednesday night. What do you do? Andy says there will be middle school youth tonight at the church for those who can make it.
Friday night is our planned Kick off for our Connection Groups. It's also a change from the past, moving "First Wednesday" to Friday nights. There is child care through 1st graders.
Saturday morning is the Ladies Ministry Brunch at Kelly's.
Saturday night, that last installment of the Financial Peace University (previously scheduled for the night of Irene's arrival) is at 5:00.
Sunday morning is normal!
Sunday after the 11:00 gathering we have a lunch and new partner interviews.
Sunday at 4:00 is our Fall Church picnic.
Did you get all that?
Trust me. This too shall pass!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Soundside Relief
One of our connection groups was already in action today on Soundside Road! Take a look at this video, share it with you friends!
The next video is one of our NHC neighbors on Soundside Rd, sharing his Irene story.
The next video is one of our NHC neighbors on Soundside Rd, sharing his Irene story.
Friday, September 2, 2011
We're back to our normal schedule at NHC!
If you're checking on line about Nags Head Church's status after the hurricane, we are open for business at our regular hours this weekend!
- Worship at 9 and 11. Our worship is contemporary and casual, so please, come as you are!
- We have a fantastic nursery, and worship gatherings (Kidmo and Lil' K) for pre-schoolers through elementary school students.
- Coffee and pastries before and after our gatherings!
- Baptism this Sunday after the 11:00 Gathering!
- Soundside Road neighborhood clean up Sunday 4PM to dark. Bring any rakes, shovels, pitchforks, wheel barrows, etc. and work gloves as we volunteer to help our flooded neighbors clean up.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Adressing Rumors and False Accusations Directly
Because we have seen sincere people listen to and believe false accusations and rumors directed toward Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church (author of "40 Days of Purpose", etc.), I thought this article would be especially helpful. Maybe you, too, have heard the nonsense that he has embraced something called "Chrislam".
Note the biblical references in the article about what to do if you hear something about someone that causes you to wonder. Believe it or not, God's people have a tendency to be cannibalistic - attacking and devouring one another. It apparently happened in the first century, so we shouldn't be surprised today. And the Scripture also teaches we need to be careful that we aren't taken in by deceivers.
So, as the Sunday school song many of us remember said, "Be careful little ears what you hear". Just as important, "Be careful little mouth what you say."
Want to know just what Warren believes? Click here for his church's statement of faith. Get it straight from the horse's mouth; not from some small minded preacher who has never met him but has an axe to grind.
Note the biblical references in the article about what to do if you hear something about someone that causes you to wonder. Believe it or not, God's people have a tendency to be cannibalistic - attacking and devouring one another. It apparently happened in the first century, so we shouldn't be surprised today. And the Scripture also teaches we need to be careful that we aren't taken in by deceivers.
So, as the Sunday school song many of us remember said, "Be careful little ears what you hear". Just as important, "Be careful little mouth what you say."
Want to know just what Warren believes? Click here for his church's statement of faith. Get it straight from the horse's mouth; not from some small minded preacher who has never met him but has an axe to grind.
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