In With the New and Out With the Old

Well 2013 is almost over and we are soon to see 2014.  Guys I challenge you all to make 2014 your best year ever individually as well as spiritually.  Our goal is to become a better Christian this year than we was in 2013, I hope all of you desire to grow this new upcoming year.  One way to help you get that goal is to be like Dr. David Jeremiah said, "As Christians we should never look to climb a plateau and become content, we should look for a mountain to climb and continue to grow!".  So in 2014 I believe that we should look to become growing Christians instead of content Christians.

We have so many wonderful things planned this new upcoming year and we want you to be a part of each and everyone of them; from great lessons to exciting events let's all try our best to be faithful to each and every thing that is going on.

 On that note our first class of the year is January 1, 2014 @7 pm, and our first event will be Family Feud in the fellowship hall on January 18 @2:30.

We'll see you next year!

Attention All Hungry Teens

Because we are Baptists and we look for any excuse to eat we are going to have chips, doughnuts, breadsticks and much more for class tonight.  There will be information about camp and this upcoming Youth Sunday, so come out it will be the last class of 2013 no better place to spend Wednesday Night then in TOTAL with your wonderful friends and Teen Leaders.

Special Class

Tomorrow night we are going to have one of our missionaries to visit us and present a message.  Larry Key who goes to juvenile prisons as well as minister to the homeless will be with us.  Every time he comes it is a true blessing, so be sure you come and bring a friend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of the Total Leaders we want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, and we are thankful for all of you guys!  Don't eat too much!

Youth Rally Today

Here is the information regarding the Youth Rally:

Cricket Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro
Leave the church @ 4:45, be back @ 9
Bring money to eat.

Any questions give us a call!

Class Tonight

Just a reminder that class will be tonight!  We will be beginning a new study so we hope to see you all in class tonight.

Tonights Class

We are going to back in class tonight, and I hope all of you are planning on being their.  We will be wrapping up our series on God's Will.  We can't wait to see you all!

No Class Wednesday

Just a reminder that there will be no class on Wednesday night due to the special singing and candy service that we will be having.

Great job on singing at the Nursing Center!

Nursing Home Singing

Next Sunday, October 27 we will be singing at the Hugh Chatam Nursing Home.  After service we will eat in the fellowship hall and then travel to the nursing home where we will sing at 2:00.  Someone can pick you up at the church around 3:30.  Let us know if you don't have a ride home, so we can accommodate.

Thank You

We had a great time at the Corn Maze last night, thank you for all of you coming out, it made for a great night.  Also thank you to Jason & Lori Walker for the admission to the maze and Johnny Mahan for the food.  We look forward to the many more events we are going to have this year and hope you all come out to those as well, here is the group picture from last night:

Corn Maze

Here are the details about the Corn Maze on Saturday

Be @ the fellowship hall by 6:30 for dinner, and then we will leave to go to the Corn Maze.  We should be back around 9:00 and DON'T FORGET YOUR FLASHLIGHT!

Back In Full Swing

This Wednesday we'll be back in full swing again.  Be sure to come out as we learn about God's Will.  Can't wait to see you!

No Class This Wednesday

There will be no class this Wednesday due to church business meeting. 

Great job singing today, you did the best you have ever did.  You let everyone know that you have a love of Christ through song, because you gave it your all!!!!

Scavenger Hunt

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the Scavenger Hunt.  Please be at the church @10:30.  Also if you could please bring your camera or cellphone camera, you may need them.

Here is a few pictures of our past scavenger hunt, so you might know what you are getting in to.

What are you Seeking?

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(Col 3:1-4)

Let me say last night was a great first class!  Thank you all for your faithfulness and we hope that we see you each and every night.  Scotty brought a great lesson, on how we need to set our goals with Heaven in mind rather than on Earthly things.  We need to think about the eternal instead of the temporal.  Remember the example of the bird and the piece of sand, maybe that will help you try to fathom what eternity is like. 

Also Scotty told each and everyone of you, that you have POTENTIAL.  All of us leaders think there is a tremendous amount of potential in this class, and our goals and hopes is that all of you will reach your potential!

We can't wait to see you for the scavenger hunt Saturday and the next TOTAL class on Wednesday!

A Very Busy Week!!!!

Just a reminder that our new teens year will begin tomorrow @ 7:00 PM.  Please come out and bring a friend!

On Saturday September 7 @ 10:30 AM we will have our scavenger hunt.  We will meet at the church fellowship hall to split up into teams.  When we get back we will have lunch.  It should be over about 1:30 or 2.

This year is going to be a great year, we hope that you are all praying that God does something special in your life.  If you are willing he is able to do anything!

Lets make the 2013-2014 TOTAL class the greatest class ever! 

September is the Beginning of a great year!

We'll guys it's hard to believe, but the new year starts in just 11 more days, we have a great year planned of lessons, youth revivals, and activities.  Please be sure to come out and bring a friend for the First Class which is on Sept. 4 at 7:00 pm.  Also we have another Youth Rally to go to at Cherry Grove Baptist Church.  Just check out the flyer below:

Please continue returning to the blog for added updates on the year and we can't wait to see you on Sept. 4.

New Year Coming UP!

The new year is just around the corner and we have many exciting plans for the upcoming year.  Stay tuned for the latest updates!

Youth Rally

For all of you planning on attending the youth rally this Thursday, it is at Mining Ridge Baptist Church and starts @ 7:00 we are planning on leaving the church @ 6:15. Don't forget the new year for TOTAL is just around the corner so stay tuned for some updates.

Camp Wilds Final Update

Sorry guys, could not send this until I got home. Below is something Charlie wanted posted since he is unable to be at the Sunday evening service. He will be preaching at another church that evening.

Hello Marler Roaders,
Welcome to my first data message ever and possibly my last considering how long it takes to complete this one.  Greetings from Camp Wilds in Brevard, NC. What a great week at camp and much spiritual growth in the Lord.   So what is it that we do as sponsors at this wonderful place. Well what great preaching from God's Word by brother Steve Pettit. Telling us how good God is and how bad we are.  Breakfast starts early and then it is off to prayer for the sponsors.  About the food, it is great if you are a foreigner.  I'm not.  Chapel time then begins where we studied the book of Daniel and what an awesome message God had for us to purpose in our hearts. The Christian life Seminars were much help to the campers. Found many things I never knew existed at the camp. The swimming hole was cool where Dale and I jumped off an incredibly tall tower. God help us both. We blobbed, tubed the slide, climbed the wall, well I did, swung through the air on a rope like Tarzan, all after passing a horrible swim test.  Kristin, , Dale, and I all tubed the creek many times with various campers.  What a blast but this is only the beginning.  We hiked for miles to see the most beautiful waterfall.  Much much more can be said this has taken me much time so this is final email or whatever you call this. Thanks for letting me and Kristen go with the teens.  God bless
Charlie Kennedy

Day 4 pics

Camp Wilds Day 4

I hope you guys haven't minded these updates being like Charlie' s preaching... long winded. Last year I did the updates on a little phone, this year I have a new toy that makes it a lot easier to go on and on and on.
This will be the last update for the trip. Please let me know if these blog updates are beneficial to you or not.  Also, I would like to know who followed the totalMRBC Twitter this week. If it was not used, then there's no use to do it next time. Please let me know what works best. I would like to know what you think.

Today was the first day with absolutely no rain. It was beautiful all day. Today was the girls' hike to the falls and the guys lake day. Charlie and I joined the guys at the lake for a while. We "blobbed",  jumped off the high tower, zip lined... whatever it took so that we didn't look like chumps. Chad & Jane Phillips along with Lauren Stone visited today. They were able to join us for Family Reunion today. That was a very special time for me. I hope it meant something to the teens as well.  All the girls were ecstatic to see their buddy here with them.  Lauren joined them on the hike to the falls. Jane rode the Giant Swing with Chris!!! This afternoon the teens had a lot of free time to enjoy all the things The Wilds has to offer. All of our visitors were able to stay for the evening service.

This morning's chapel service, led by Preacher Pettit, continued in Daniel chapters 4&5. "Pride is Our Downfall". He showed the teens two examples of Pride and its result through Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar.

Sponsors had our own service led by Preacher Pettit. We were unable to attend today's Christian Life Seminar with the teens because of this conflict.  He spoke on "Where Is The Future" . He mentioned the importance of ministering to the 18 - 25 age group because adulthood is being postponed due to: Higher Education and Technology.  Very interesting. I had never thought about this but that age group is really in a limbo zone.

This afternoon's service was taken from James 1:1-8.
Getting The Most Out Of Your Trouble
Trouble comes to help us.  Trouble comes to be a blessing.
James gives 4 direct commands:
1 -vs2- Count it all joy,  God makes no mistakes
2 -vs4- Let endurance have is full effect,  stay "under" the trial. 
     God will teach you something under the trial.
3 -vs5- Ask God for wisdom.
     Wisdom is having the "right" responses.
     God gives wisdom generously.
4 Ask In Faith.
     Do not doubt when you pray.
     God gives wisdom only to those who are committed to do His will.

The evening finished with a very cool night game on the field,  Spin to Win. It was awesome. Teens had a great time.

We'll see you all Saturday.

Day 3 Pics

Chaos?  No just you every week pizza party with 800+ people

Fun Time Skits

Camp Wilds Day 3

Tubing with the teens!...Giant water slide!...Giant swing? I guess if they say they want a bank robbed then I'm going to have to find a gun. Seriously though, it tickles me to death that they want an old man to hang out with them and tube with them and ride the slide. There is a lot of water in the creek due to all of the rain the past few weeks.  That makes for great tubing.  The water is ice cold!  It literally took my breath way.  The slide is as fast as ever. We are having a great time with your teens.

10:23am, just finished Wednesday's chapel service. Continuing the study in Daniel.  "God is in Control". Preacher Pettit used the example of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego to show us that as Christians we will stand out,  we will be different and that we should stand for the Lord.
When we face trials we see:
1. Conscience presence of the Lord
2. God will take care of your enemies
3.God will deliver us
4.Jesus is with us all the time
Conclusion: God honors those who honor Him.

Teens had God and I time, then right back for Christian Life Seminar. This week's theme for this seminar is "Walk Worthy". Paul tells us to put off the old man and put on the new man
1. Stop lying, Tell the truth
2. Stop your sinful anger, Reconcile.
3. Stop stealing,  Work
4. Stop your corrupt speech,  Edify.
Today's focus was #2:  Stop your sinful anger, reconcile. Matt Herbster helped the teens understand what they need to learn and what God tells us we need to remove.  He used Eph.4 for this study.

Tonight's service was one of those messages that you didn't need to take notes on. It was the kind you listened and soaked in. Preacher Pettit used one verse Col. 3:20. He spoke on children obeying your parents. Needless to say he did an outstanding job.

Today was the girls' lake day and the boys hiked to the falls.  Kristen is doing very well to be as far along as she is. Hiking the stairs like a champ. Seemed to be slowing a little tonight... understandable!  Decision for our homesick lady was for her to stay. I'm glad this is what her parents decided. After I broke the news to her and she resolved that she had no other options she was fine. In fact, she had a really good day. She was crying a little when it was time to go to her cabin after the pizza party. She gave me several big hugs before leaving, but she is OK. Continue to pray for her. God is answering them, proved by the day she had today.

Tonight was an early service because Fun Time followed shortly afterwards.  The show featured Willie the Kid. AWESOME show!  We all had a blast!  I enjoyed it much more than the show last year. After Fun Time, the kids went straight to the pizza party.  No way in this world I could eat pizza this late then try to sleep. Ahh to be young again. 11:25pm. Good night!

Day 2 pics

Camp Wilds Day 2

I'll start this as "happy Tuesday" even though I assume most will be reading this on Wednesday. We had a very busy day today both for the campers and  sponsors.  We enjoyed chapel this morning with Steve Pettit.

This week we are in Daniel. Living With Lion Like Character :  The True Purpose Driven Life
1st Truth, God is in Control
2nd Truth, God honors the Faithful

He explained how Daniel got into Babylon and then how God kept Babylon out of Daniel.  Some of my favorite services up here are the Christian Life Seminars. We missed today's because of sponsor obligations that we attended. I can't wait to be able to go to that service on Wednesday.

We had a beautiful sun shiny day today right up until supper time. We were inside getting ready to eat when the heavens opened. By the time we had finished eating, it had stopped and the sun was out again. We have a little free time now and I think I am being forced to do the giant swing... We'll see...taking a little time now to get a head start on my update for today.

I was able to take the hike to the 4th Falls today.  Words cannot describe the beauty of these waterfalls. I was in awe.  The teens have told me about the hike back from these falls but words do not do them justice. Intense beyond intense. I was sucking wind! Great, awesome, wonderful experience! The hike was this morning. It is 6:30 as I write this part of the update and I am taking Tylenol so I can feel my calf muscles again.  Folks it is just Tuesday.

Thank you,  thank you, thank you (I say this without reservation and with all seriousness) for the mail that you have sent to the campers this week. So far,  it has saved one of our campers from wanting her mom to come pick her up. Pray for her that she will be able to get over the homesickness and be able to focus on what God has for her this week. She is still having a rough time missing home and family. I just can't hug as good as her mom can.

It is about 10:40pm and we just got out of the evening service.  Preacher Pettit gave a great message on
What The Law Says, taken from Romans 3:9-20. He walked us through each of the 10 commandments explaining the following:
1. The law says you are a sinner
2. The law says keep your mouth shut (natural response to get out of a problem is to lie)
3. The law says you are guilty
4. The law says you need to get to Jesus as fast as you can.

He emphasized that God takes our sins and nails them to the cross. Col 2:13-14

God lead preacher Pettit to extend a clear cut invitation after a powerful message. We saw several kids move.  Continue to pray for all our kids. Continue to pray for Travis.

Day 1 Pics!

Rainbow above camp!

Time to go!

Ready to eat!

Camp Wilds Day 1

Good Tuesday morning from The Wilds. I apologize for not getting this update to Brandon last night so he could post it on the blog. It is a full week of campers and I ended up having a roommate as well. When I got back from the service last night at close to 11pm, he was already in bed. I didn't want to disturb him, so I just got ready for bed and turned in myself. I don't know how he made from the service last night and into his bunk by the time I walked straight up myself. I guess a 3 hour ride on a charter bus is hard on a 28 year old. But I digress....
We ran through one shower on the drive up yesterday with traffic very heavy all the way. Charlie embarrassed the group really bad at Wendy's during lunch. So much that I don't want to type it down. I'll tell you guys about it next Sunday.  When we got to the Wilds you could see where it had rained but it was basically dry. By the time check in time rolled around, the skies had opened up. It was pouring. It poured the entire time we checked in. Pour Charlie was getting the luggage off the van for our kids and getting soaked. He pulled pieces off as our kids came down in stages. Then he would load them back up to keep them from getting wet the best he could. I felt sorry for the kids and counselors having to get to the cabins in the rain. Kristin and I felt sorry for Charlie also as we look out of the Moose room down the giant hill to where we could watch Charlie getting drenched.
Check in took a little longer than normal due to the rain. Shortly after check in, the rained stopped. We had no more rain the rest of the day.
Yesterday you may have noticed the world shifted slightly off it axis. In my attempt to get a late comer in a cabin with the rest of our younger girls, my good intentions backfired and split the groupup in half. Quickly realizing this was not going to make for a good week, a very sweet young lady in the office (Alyssa) assisted me getting the right people together in the right cabins. The world started spinning correctly again, birds chirped, I think I heard angels singing. Lesson learned!
After a meeting for the sponsors and the campers, they enjoyed a large game of Big Balls on the field. That is a fun game. The entire time you could hear large rumbles of thunder over the mountain,  but it never rained.
We entered last night service at 9:20. The speaker this week is Steve Pettit. He had a great message to start the week. He based his message from Exodus 34. Though he went to many versed speaking on
"Is God Good?"
The Bible declares God is good
The Bible defines thst God is good.
The Bible describes God is good
The Bible demonstrates God is good.
He tied it all together using Romans 2:4 telling us what God's goodness is all about.

More to come... stay tuned.

List of Teens Going To Camp

For anyone that wants to send a letter to the teens that are going to camp here is the address and list, if you are unable to send a letter these teens need your PRAYERS, that they will make life changing decisions;  So please pray for each teen!

The address is:          
 The Wilds                                  
1000 Wilds Ridge Road
 Brevard, NC 28712-7273

List of Campers:

Samantha Anderson	Cade Macemore
MacKenzie Bullins	Travis Moffitt
Sarah Lincomfelt	Christopher Phillips
Caitlyn Macemore	Matthew Waddell
Kendall Macemore	Kendall Wood
Laken Macemore
Rebecca Reece
Courtney Stone Lela Stringer
Melanie Swaim

 

Incentive Trip

Our Incentive trip to Carowinds will be this Tuesday, we are going to leave the church @ 9am and be back around 7:30pm the church will pay for the price of admission.

We will provide a picnic lunch at the park and then on the way back we are going to eat fast food, the teens will need money for the meal on the way home.

A few reminders you might want to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and even a change of clothes for the water rides.  Also you will need money to play any games.

Awards

Tonight will be the Awards night for TOTAL and Kinds Kids so be sure that you all can make it, we will be doing an end of the year slide show, and recognizing some of you that have worked really hard this year!

Last Class!

It's hard to believe but the year has already come and gone.  Tomorrow night will be our last class, so come hungry for both food and spiritual food.  I'm not sure what we will be having but I promise you all it won't be mystery meat.  We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Last Night for Points

Don't forget that tomorrow night is the last night to turn in points.  If you want to go to Carowinds check out the incentive requirements on the right side of this page.

We're Now on Twitter

Total has now got a twitter account check us out on twitter @TotalMRBC.  This link will stay on the right side of the blog.

The Year is almost up!

We are a few short weeks away from the end of the year.  This has been one of the best years we have had in TOTAL, and thank you for making it one of the best.  Here is what is going on over the next few weeks:

Last night to turn in points is next Wednesday 
In 2 weeks we will have our end of the year get together on Wed. May 15
June 11 is the End of the Year Incentive to Carowinds

Youth Sunday!

Don't forget that this Sunday is Youth Sunday, please have your lessons prepared for Sunday School and be ready to sing LOUD for the opening of the 11 o'clock service. 

No Class Tomorrow

Due to recent deaths in the church we will not have class tomorrow night.  Please remember that Youth Sunday is this coming Sunday.

Adopt-a-Highway

Don't forget you need to be @ the church @ 10 this morning to pick up the trash, also your meal will be provided for you!

Whats Coming Up

We got a couple of events coming up this month.  Saturday April 13 we have Adopt-a-Highway to begin @ 10:00 am.  Then April 20 we are going to attend a youth rally @ Shoaly Branch Baptist Church. This year is soon coming to a close so try your best to make each class and event.  Also some of you are very close to being able to go to Carowinds so don't forget to say your verses!

Who is Jesus?

Last week we began a study on Who is Jesus?  We quickly found out that there is more to the Jesus than we think we know.  We hope you come out over the next few weeks for this study.

Laser Tag Saturday

We are going to Charlotte for Laser Tag Saturday.  The church vans are leaving @ 12:30 pm and we will be back @ 7 pm.  The cost is $20 for Laser Tag and then bring $5-$10 to eat on.  There is room for you to bring your friends so bring a friend if you want.  We look forward to seeing you Saturday!!!

Tonights Class

Just a reminder that tonight we will have a Bible Quiz on the Tongue Series we just taught, and we are also going to have Charlie Kennedy teaching tonight.  So be sure to come out tonight and bring a friend.

IMPORTANT CAMP INFO!

Camp Wilds has just sent us an updated number on how many spots are left for camp.  There are only 31 spots left for the boys, and 16 spots left for the girls.  If you are planning on going to camp you probably need to sign up by Wednesday Feb. 20,  or sooner.  Signing up can be done online and there is a link on the right side of this page below the TOTAL logo.

No Class this Week

Just a reminder that there will be no class this week due to the Jubilee.  Jubilee starts @ 7:30 Mon.- Fri.

Good Church Sign

I was driving today and seen a quote on a church sign that I have never seen before.  I thought I would share it with you because what it says is so true.

7 days without prayer and devotion makes 1 weak

To grow and become a strong Christian we have to pray and read our Bible on a daily basis!

February is Busy!

February is a busy month for us so here is a rundown of all the things going down.  Don't forget all of this information is going to stay on the right side of the blog.

Feb. 10-15: Winter Jubilee no Teens Class that Wednesday Night (Feb. 13)

Feb. 20:  Bible Quiz on the Tongue

Feb. 23:  Laser Tag @ LazerQuest (all info is on the right side of the blog in Next Event section)

Important Camp Info.!!!!!

If you are planning on going to camp please sign up ASAP!  We've just received info that there is only 133 spots left for boys and 127 spots left for the girls.  This info has been emailed you, also there is info about camp to the right side of this page.

Thank You!

Camp Wilds Info

Starting tomorrow and going through Feb. 1 is the Camp Wilds Registration, if you are planning on going to camp here is a link to the registration page :  Camp Wilds Registration

Also here is a link to Camp Wilds homepage that will give you an idea of what Camp Wilds is all about:  wilds.org

*Remember your $50 deposit is due by Feb. 1 and you will not get the deposit back if you decide that you are not going.
 

*All this information will stay on the right side of this page underneath the Incentive Requirements and TOTAL Picture.

Witnessing

Scotty brought us a great lesson on witnessing this past Wednesday night.  It was great to start the new year with that lesson, so maybe in 2013 we will be more concerned for the lost and those who are out of God's will.  The time is at hand for the lost to be saved and those out of God's will to get back to God because Jesus is SOON  to return. 

Always remember that those that are lost are watching you, so don't do anything that will make those people think you are a hypocrite, because you never know when you will have an opportunity to witness to them!

Here is the good person test for reference from Wednesday Night:

2013

It is hard to believe but we are already 2 days into 2013.  I have a question for you, how do you want 2013 to end up; a good year or a bad year?  I know you probably are thinking that's a dumb question, but it is really up to you on how your year will end up.  Here's how:  Are you going to put God first = Good year or is God going to just fit wherever he can = Bad year.  I go back to our past 5 week study about Joseph: Character Construction, and there was a recurring theme in his life; he always remained faithful, not matter what was thrown at him he remained close to God.  2013 is going to have some great times but it will also have some very tough times.  No matter what is thrown your way this year put God first, and he will guide you in the right direction.  I challenge us all to REMAIN FAITHFUL.  I hope we can all look back on 2013 and say it was the greatest year for our personal life, family, church, and TOTAL.

From all of us Teen Leaders we love all of you guys and are praying for you on a daily basis.