Helping the People of Haiti

Looking for a way to help the people of Haiti? Below are links to great organizations who are helping to provide aid. Click on them to donate and see how else you may be involved in reaching out to those in need right now.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF

BAPTIST GLOBAL RESPONSE (SBC)

- Brad

The Big Give Video

- Brad

The Big Give Update

Our Students have given over $800 to The Big Give Initiative to help needy families at Christmas.

FUEL will be mobile this coming week. We'll start here in the Upper Room at South Harriman Baptist Church, then we're going to Walmart to purchase toys, shoes, clothing etc. for families this Christmas. It's going to be fun showing the Love of Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas to people this year.

If you still would like to be involved in this project send me an e-mail HERE.

Merry Christmas,

- Brad

The Big Give

I hate to admit this, but every now and then I get inspired by something Oprah does. I was espeacially inspired when she did "Oprah's Big Give". It birthed the seeds of a vision for The Big Give in our Student Ministry here at South Harriman Baptist Church. Come along with me for a few seconds on a journey to show Big Love to needy children this Christmas.

We are partnering with a local elementary school to make this Christmas season the best ever for some local children.
Here's the plan: We want to raise $500.00 to take a family, specifically the kids to Walmart for a Christmas shopping spree. Imagine the look and emotions of a needy child running through Walmart picking out what they want for Christmas. We want to capture it on video, and make it a memory to last forever.
How can you help? Would you be willing to sacrifice to make this the best Christmas ever for some needy families? We know it's not about the gifts, but the love of Christ shining through us.
Would you be willing to partner with us for $10, $20, $50 or even a $100?

How many people can we bless this year? It's up to us. If you would like to donate to this cause please send a check made out to: South Harriman Baptist Church by December 9th, with the notation "Big Give" in the memo portion of the check. You can mail the check to:

South Harriman Baptist Church
626 Ruritan Rd.
Harriman, TN 37748

I hope you'll be a part of "The Big Give" Check back often for details, and the video!

- Brad

A Rylee Grace Short Film

- Brad

Great Deal at Bed Bath & Beyond!

I found this cute little girl on sale for $39.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. I couldn't resist, so I bought her and brought her home!

Stop Time

Tony Morgan had this insightful word on his blog. I need some Stop Time...what about you?

In music, there’s a term called “stop time.” It’s when, temporarily, all the music accompaniment stops in order to highlight a solo vocalist or instrumentalist. It’s not unusual for jazz artists to use stop time. For a moment, the rhythm stops, all the other instruments pull back, and the band creates space for the soloist to improvise.

I’ve seen “stop time” work with my kids as well. Instead of planning every moment of their waking hours, from time to time we push the pause button and create space. We don’t set the agenda. We give them time to do their own thing. We don’t respond to the “I’m bored and have nothing to do” pleas. We let them figure it out. It’s fascinating to watch how creative our kids get when we give them time to improvise.

I love long car trips. When the drive is long enough, my mind will start to wander. I do some of my best thinking driving down the highway. Some of my most creative moments have been behind the wheel. Sometimes I wonder if I need to schedule regular road trips just to be more disciplined about creating thinking time in my life.

In an age when email, social networking and mobile technology make us continuously available, we probably need to create more stop time. In a season when there are always more meetings and task lists and projects to complete, we probably need more stop time. If you are frustrated by the lack of creativity in your organization or your personal life, it’s probably because the rhythm is constant and the accompanying instruments are too loud and you haven’t created space to improvise.

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”

When was the last time you scheduled some “stop time?”

--

- Brad

My Favorite Six Month Picture

It's amazing how your children grow and change so fast. Rylee, our miracle girl, is 6 months old now. Just about to crawl, she sits up on her own and scoots in reverse.

She has also found a very high pitched squeal which she thinks is funny.

Thank You Lord.

- Brad

In Remembrance

This weekend is the one year anniversary of passing of Mike Ward. I didn't know Mike well at all, as a matter of fact we had only had a couple conversations. However, the legacy he left in his family and friends make me feel like I knew him.

Watching the grace that Bev, Logan and Abby have lived this past year has been inspirational to me. Logan the student has discipled his youth pastor by living for and proclaiming the Glory of God. Bev's words at church after camp demonstrated the strength of a woman who is clinging to the cross - the Anchor of our Hope. Abby's infectious spirit of joy...well it's a joy to be around.

I love you guys. And in remembrance here is the repost of "Painfully Beautiful from 1 year ago.

Painfully Beautiful - Originally Posted, July 23, 2008

Many of you readers out there have seen the news story of Mike Ward. Mike and his family were on vacation in Florida where a strong rip-tide current began sweeping his daughter several yards into the ocean. Mike went in to save her, and another girl. The girls were saved, but Mike was overwhelmed and did not make it.

Mike, his wife and two teenage children are members of South Harriman Baptist Church, which I now serve in as an Assistant Pastor.

I spent a couple of hours with the Beverly, Logan, and Abby yesterday. It is a dreadfully painful time. The heartache and the shock is still very real. There was weeping from dozens of family and friends there to support them. The grief of a lost husband and father ran deep, very deep.

Yet, as I stood there praying silently, what I saw was beautiful. A band of brothers and sisters in Christ providing unending support, care, and love for this family. Men who drove through the night to escort the body of their deceased friend back home. A 14 year-old teenage man who told me, "God will give me the strength, I know it." A broken family trusting in a loving God. A mountain of food and provisions for the week. People I've only known for a couple of weeks - people I'll now remember for a lifetime.

What I witnessed last night was the arms of Jesus, in the form of the church, wrapping this family tight with with His love. Love for a family, whose husband and father, had lived just as the Savior:

Giving his Life for another.

- Brad

Vacation

So vacation was great, relaxing, and all that stuff. Plus Rylee got several firsts...First Plane Ride, First Time in Florida, First Disney Adventure (Downtown Disney...she selected Heffalump as her first toy), Almost first Pool adventure.

Anyway, back to work...

- Brad

Rylee Update

For those not on Facebook, here's a little glimpse of my princess. Rylee will be 4 month old on June 20th. Wow, how time flys!

- Brad

WOW

Where did we hear the "don't go to bed angry" thing readers? Be the first to leave the answer in the comments below.



- Brad

Dave Ramsey Video Series

Don’t miss this special 3-week series from Dave Ramsey on Life, Money and Hope. These are difficult days for many people in our church and community. Dave gives invaluable insights and Biblical principles that will help you and your family navigate the tricky waters of these uncertain times.

Week 1 – May 20th @ 7pm
Week 2 – May 27th @ 7pm
Week 3 – June 3rd @ 7pm

at South Harriman Baptist Church

- Brad

Dear Friends

Would you please take some time to pray for the Charton Family.

Luke, the young boy in the Yankee's hat was diagnosed with a brain stem glioma (inoperable tumor) less that a year ago. Through various treatments Luke had seen much improvement in his condition. However, there have been many setbacks of late and the the family recently received the heart wrenching news that there is nothing left that the doctors can do, or the family can bare to put young Luke through. His time is limited and he was been sent home to spend time with his family.

Luke's grandparents Pete and Sylvia Charton are members of our church family at South Harriman Baptist. Please keep this family in your prayers as they face these difficult days.

For a more complete picture of Luke's story and ways to leave well wishes for the family please visit his Caring Bridge website HERE.

- Brad

Bigger than Gay Marriage...

There is an interesting, and troubling article from the Washington Post. "Faith Groups Increasingly Lose Gay Rights Fights"

Read it HERE.

- Brad

Rylee Update

Rylee's grandparents have a pretty good knack for getting a smile out of my little angel!

- Brad

My nephew Jay holding Rylee. Read about Jay below :-)

5 year olds can remind you to be thankful

This week my nephews are visiting us...mainly to see Rylee.

Sometimes kids can be so blunt, that it is sweet at the same time. Such was the case this morning during breakfast.

Jay, my wild 5 year old nephew said to Julie out of the blue, "I heard your babies were dying, but this one [Rylee] isn't dying."












After he said that, I smiled, and thanked God above for a healthy little girl. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable kindness!

- Brad

Moral Failure Prevention

I read recently yesterday on the steps a few pastors take to keep themselves from falling into the trap of adultery. A pastor can fail at something and the church still be OK, because failure is part of life. However, if a pastor fails morally in his marriage or the churches finances - he often injures the local body of Christ so severely that in some instances cripple churches for years.

I don't want to be one of the guys who hurts his wife and church. I love both, especially my wife. So, what measures do I take to keep myself out of temptation's snare?

1.) My wife has access to all my e-mail and social networking accounts. She has my passwords and if she wanted she could read through all my e-mails etc.

2.) I never go anywhere with a woman, other than my wife, alone. Never. Never Ever. There is no 'business' where there isn't a third party. This is a principle I recommend every man in every line of work abide by. There are some of you out there who think this may be extreme, and give all kinds of excuses for why you can't abide by this standard. You are kidding yourself. As NIKE used to say: Just Do it.

3.) I never counsel a woman alone privately. I always have another person in our presence, or notify someone else that I am counseling a woman, in which case I leave a windowless door open.

4.) I never give a teenage girl a ride home. If you do fellow youth pastors...you're stupid, and you better adopt this principle right now.

5.) I don't initiate hugs with women on a regular basis. When someone is hurting, or in need of encouragement I put my arm around them, or hug them for support sure, but I don't greet women my age or teenage girls with hugs. I hug senior adult ladies all the time.

Some of these may seem extreme, but I am extremely serious about protecting what I love.

- Brad

Rylee @ office

Rylee at my office from Brad Raby on Vimeo.

The Pendulum Swing

On February 20th Julie and I had our first child , Rylee Grace. The first three days were filled with the joy and excitement of our beautiful new born miracle. We were just in awe of how precious this little child was to us.

Then, on Monday we brought her home and all the sudden ‘it’ hit me. Those of you who are parents must know what I mean. For a while the pendulum of elation of her coming into the world swung to feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. All the sudden I realized I had to take care of this little girl, provide for her, protect her, teach her the ways of the Lord. It was an emotional moment for me. I find myself checking on her every noise, squeak and cry. I am so attentive to her every need.

After a few hours of those feelings something bigger dawned on me. As much as I love Rylee – it doesn’t even compare to the Heavenly Father’s love for us! In that moment I imagined how in tune God is to our every noise, squeak and cry. He loves us with an extravagant love.

After all – ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’ – John 15:13

- Brad