Pastor Alan

Pastor’s Thots

Recently I wrote and article which I hope will be published in our local paper. Here’s a copy:

How do you say “I Care?”

                FBC has been saying they care for quite some time. The pastor (Alan Thompson) wears a little silver pin that says “we care” but he knows this is not enough. Caring must be demonstrated. “God has been so good to us” says the pastor and so we want to share His goodness with our community.

                FBC takes this literally. Recently they had a back to school drive and collected several bags and boxes full of school supplies for Alcott Elem. Sch. Regularly the Ministry of Music (Phil Wilson) goes to Alcott and volunteers with the 6 to 6 program. Members of the church have served as foster parents and some have even adopted their foster children. The first Saturday of each month the church goes on a prayer walk and prays for their community.

                FBC has gone even further to say they care by cleaning their alley and painting graffiti. Recently they have taken on a commitment to have what they call a shield of prayer. This is where they agreed to pray for the people who wear a shield or badge.

                FBC has consistently said “they care” through community events. They along with Set Free ministries have had antique car shows for the last two years, Halloween alternatives, Block parties, and Dia de la Nino. Along with several programs for children FBC says “we care.”

 

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

me

I have had some of the best experiences of my life in the last two months. After 30 years of wanting and working on a doctorate degree, I finally got one. Beth and I have just spent 5 weeks with our 7 grandsons. These are great kids and we have made some memories with and for them. We had our annual family reunion. I love to see Michael’s girls get with Timothy’s boys. We all know that Madison rules the roost. I love being with my boys. Spending time with them has been such a blessing. They don’t listen to me like they used to but they are good men. I wonder how God feels? Are we what God wants us to be? Do we listen to Him like we used too? Is God satisfied with what we have become? Maybe we need to spend more time talking with Him.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor Alan

This is our last night of VBS. I don’t know what the attendance is tonight but last night we had 91 kids and I think 24 workers. It has been a great week. Helping Beth with the seven grandsons during the day, trying to pastor the church, making visits, going to court for the Faulkner’s, and VBS at night has kept me a little busy. We’ve had a mission group from FBC Nashville this week. They have really helped make it all possible. There are too many people to thank individually, but since you are reading this I want you to know how appreciative I am of the mission team, kitchen crew, VBS workers, and my wife.

Last night I invited the children to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  There were about 20 who raised their hands that they want to follow Jesus. it’s impossible to know how many were serious but our desire is to give the opportunity and then try to follow up. Please pray for us as we do our best and pray for these children that they will follow through.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

There are times life is difficult. There are times when ministry is difficult. The last four months have been that difficult time in life for me. In January Lois Ritchey one of our church members passed away. She had been sick for a while so it was kind of expected. Then in February we got an unexpected call that Beth’s uncle had passed away. After Beth got home, George Dennison another church member passed away. He had been sick for a while so it was kind of expected. About three weeks later we were driving down the road and got the phone call that Carl Ryan had passed away, another church member. Carl had just got sick so his death was not really expected. Last week Rudy Fahlbusch passed away. He too was a church member. Rudy had been sick for a while so this was kind of expected. Just a few minutes ago I received a phone call that Brother Charles Foley had passed away. Bro. Foley had left our church and moved to Visalia, CA so he wasn’t exactly a church member but he had been one for about 40 years. He had been sick for a while so his death was kind of expected. There is a lesson here. even when something is kind of expected, it’s still a difficult time. In 40 years of ministry, I’ve never had so many final farewells. So I am trying to see what God wants to teach me. 1) life is short, live it all for God, no regrets. 2) be prepared, we will all walk through the Valley of Death sometime, get your house in order. 3) don’t wait until it’s too late to say I love you or thank you. We that know Jesus are guaranteed a tomorrow, but it may not be on this side of the Jordan. Make the most of it.

 

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

Alan

You know when you don’t keep up with a blog you get so far behind you don’t know what to write about. So much has happened in the last two months my mind is boggled, by the way that is what blog is all about, or at least the same letters in different order. What happens when we put letters in the wrong order? Well, we can go from on time to no time. We go from do you have an angel to do you have an angle? It gets worse when communicating in person. Sometimes our tongues get twisted and we put wrong letters in the wrong place. I was teaching one time and I had handed out scriptures for people to read so I intended to ask the reader to read the first part, well say first part five times and you might guess what came out of my mouth. I never do parts now. Clear communication is needed in marriages, churches, and neighborhoods. Misunderstanding or miscommunication can break relationships and hinder our walk with God. We need to listen carefully and speak plainly. One of my goals has been to understand more than to be understood. That’s hard for me. Let’s be patient with each other.

The rambling rev.

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

I love to camp. Last week we had our church campout in Aqua Caliente. It was great to get away, relax, fellowship, hike, and enjoy God’s creation. There is so much I would like to say about the time in the desert. But I have to be myself and ask what did I learn? I think the highlight of the trip was a 3 mile hike to some Native American Pictographs. 1) we hiked 3 miles to see 4 or 5 drawings that we didn’t know what they were. I thought about their legacy. Some paint and drawings nobody can understand. What about our legacy?  We need to leave a clear message, God so loved the world. 2) we hiked 3 miles to see where we think Native Americans worshipped. (By the way, it was up hill going and coming) what kind of effort are we willing to see where we worship? 3) their red paint has lasted for many years, what will we leave that will last?

                I’m going back next year and do more exploring. Meanwhile I want to hike my neighborhood to see signs God is leaving for us.

Pastor Alan

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/

 

pastor's thots

I wish I could make a New Year’s resolution to do better on my blog. But it probably won’t happen. I do have some goals. I wrote in my journal I want to be physically rejuvenated. I think that means I want to lose some weight and exercise more. I also plan on finishing my doctorate in two weeks. That excites me. Well, I think I will drag that out until January 31. But that’s close. I also hope to grow spiritually. I have such a long way to go. Why do we wait so late in life to get things accomplished? I pray that our church will grow numerically, in service, in faith, in knowledge of God, in the power of the Resurrection, in holiness, and in love for each other. I will do my best, will you?

Pastor Alan

 

BA (Brother Alan)

 

www.fbcclairemont.org

 

http://mypastorsthots.blogspot.com/