Douglas Baptist Church

Last night (Tuesday) I was reminded why we have gone to great lengths as a church to put an expansion on. It was just over a year ago (November ’08) that we played hockey for the first time in our new gym. It was on a concrete floor and the dust was flying that day but it was a dream (or I would suggest “a vision”) come true. A year later we have added a proper floor, basketball nets and other equipment that is being used weekly.

Last night I had the opportunity to supervise 20 teenage guys as they enjoyed a fun-filled night of floor hockey. As I watched (and prayed) for these young men I realized that only a handful are involved in others ways here at Douglas Baptist. It is so exciting to be able to provide young people in our community with an opportunity to gather and play. It is also exciting to be able to develop friendships with them. Who knows what God will do through this. As I went home last night, I thought to myself…this is the reason why we built this gym!

Please be in prayer for this group. Also be in prayer that we will have adequate supervision to continue to offer this opportunity (WARNING…if you pray for this God may challenge you to join us!).

God is good and he is giving us opportunities to reach our community, may we be ready and know how to respond!

Name something we all need but find it hard to give…How about Mercy!

Mercy or hesed in Hebrew is one of the richest, most theologically insightful terms in the Old Testament. It denotes “kindness, love, loyalty, mercy.” It is of course used in the Bible to refer to God’s love and compassion for us! In the New Testament (Greek) the word translated “Mercy” comes to signify “giving undeserved kindness or forgiveness to those who do not deserve it.”

This Sunday we will be seeking to understand a little more about Mercy during our Morning worship service and we will examine why at times we withhold mercy from others!

If you want to get a head start feel free to read the book of Jonah in the Old Testament.

One more question to ponder (and comment on if you want)…why is it that we withhold mercy from others sometimes? Why is it so difficult to have compassion for “some people?” (oops that was two questions…)