Centrifuge Day One

By Ronald Long





FUGE!

Oh my goodness, camp is amazing! Right now I'm sitting here at the grill (place for students to hang out) and am SURROUNDED by our students and 1111 students (because there are 1166 students here total). Casey Garner had a wonderful decision to rededicate her life today. Other than that, Mike Lowrance shared his testimony with us, our students are finishing up their first full day of camp! It's been wild, but the best way to let you know about our time at camp is to show you! Enjoy these pictures!


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Day of Champions

By Ronald Long

Every year we have a great event at FBC Lexington called the Day of Champions. We invite a speaker and have them share their story. Sometimes we bring athletes, sometimes we bring in someone who has excelled in some other area. All the time our guest has a great story about how Jesus has changed their life.

Siran Stacy will be our guest speaker this Sunday March 14th.

At 9:00 am in the fellowship hall we'll have breakfast with Siran and he'll challenge our students.

At 10:15 we'll be in the worship service ready to hear Siran share his story with everyone.

I hope you'll come and bring a friend. Not just youth either! Parents and everyone else as well: bring someone with you this Sunday to FBC to hear a great testimony. I can't wait to see you there.


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Transition

By Ronald Long

One year ago today, my dad went to be with the Lord. Mom says it feels like 500 years ago and 5 minutes ago. I agree. I can remember getting in the car on Thursday morning, thinking I had way too many voice-mails for so early. I was thinking about how fun it would be to have my parents come up for the weekend so we could work on the rail for our porch. I remember thinking about the conversation we had with them last night, the five hour conversation dad and I had as I trudged back to "Day of Champions" in the snow on Interstate 40 (fair enough, I was actually in my car). I can remember hearing mom's voice. The words that would change our family.: "Not granddad, your dad." She said all three of us boys thought she said granddad. Maybe we wanted to hear about his passing instead of our dad. My granddad also went to be with Jesus this last year.

Transition. That's the word that comes to mind this morning as I think about the last year. It has certainly been a year of change. Dad and granddad both leaving this earth. Bekah and I finding out about Sophie's (soon!) arrival. Bekah closing in on her master's degree. Jamie coming closer to his graduation date. Evan finding out where he's going for the peace corp. Mom, just trying to find out what life is like by herself after 37 wonderful years of marriage.

Psalms 4 is one of my favorite Psalms. I run to it, and remember all the things David had to go through in his lifetime: the highs of being Israel's general and king, the lows of being under the condemnation of God, the loss of a newborn baby, the rebellion of his son, wars, the pressures of being a king. When I read the Psalms I don't see a cookie cutter man who had everything under control. Instead I read the real pain and real joy that comes with life. True sorrow, true blessing.

1 Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

2 How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Selah

3 Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him.

4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the LORD.

6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

7 You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Over the last year I have had the same questions: Where can good be? Why am I having to go through this? I've also been angry, angry that this was our life now.

Praise God for His goodness and graciousness to us. He has heard our prayers and given us comfort. He hasn't made life easy, but He has been close to us. He given Himself, and that is our relief in distress.

There's been a lot on my mind since driving to Madison last night. What I know today holds is this: the start of another year where God is faithful. He doesn't change, and I praise Him for that.

As for Dad and Granddad? They don't want to come back. Why would they? The last year for them has been the most glorious thing they have ever experienced. From Steven Charnock

"When the glory of the Lord shall rise upon you, it shall be so far from ever setting, that after millions of years are expired, as numerous as the sands on the seashore, the sun, in the light of whose countenance you shall live, shall be as bright as at the first appearance; he will be so far from ceasing to flow, that he will flow as strong, as full, as at the first communication of himself in glory to you. Because God is always vigorous and flourishing; a pure act of life, sparkling new and fresh rays of life and light to the creature, flourishing with a perpetual spring, and contenting the most capacious desire; forming your interest, pleasure, and satisfaction; with an infinite variety, without any change or succession; he will have variety to increase delights, and eternity to perpetuate them; this will be the fruit of the enjoyment of an infinite and eternal God"

May all glory and honor and praise be to God almighty, the Lord of Heaven and earth.

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