Do you need help reading the Bible? Try the Daily Audio Bible

If you are looking for a great way to read through the Bible in a year, try the Daily Audio Bible - a website created by photographer/producer, Brian Hardin, to help people know the Word! This resource helped me to be disciplined as I read through the Scripture.

18 Yrs in Student Ministry Comes to an End and a New Ministry Begins

Today has been an emotional day for Lisa and me.  Mixed with the feelings of excitement are feelings of gratitude and sadness. Excitement because the pursuit of God brings joy! Gratitude because of the numerous ways in which we will remember the people of First Baptist Church Winder. Sadness because we will miss our church family of the last six years.

Following the announcement of my resignation, many lined up to express words of gratitude, affirmation, encouragement, and support. As each of you affectionately passed by, I saw people whom I baptized, grieved with, prayed with, served with, worshiped with and taught. What a joy!

I have been in student ministry in some shape, form or fashion for 18 years. At the end of this year, my tenure in student ministry will be ending and I will become the Executive Pastor at River Hills Church in Winder. My time in student ministry has been a blessing! Truthfully, I thought (and actually said in a seminary class) that "I would be a 'lifer' in student ministry!" I can still hear my seminary professor, Dr. Allen Jackson, courtesy-laughing at my "green", unwise, presumptuous statement. Twelve years later... here we are... embarking on a new journey!  

To clarify, I will not be the pastor. I am going to be in a role that will focus on coordinating small groups, assimilating people in missions and ministry, training staff, and handling the day-to-day administrative responsibilities of the church.

In closing, I'd like to express appreciation to a few people for the influence you have had on me, my family and ministry:
Larry Shackelford (died 3-13-1998) - for being my mentor in student ministry...
Butch Rumble - for being a teacher of the Word... I love your passion and want to emulate it!
Chris Rumble - for discipling me one-on-one as a high school student; for all the laughs; for your love; and for your friendship. You have been closer than a brother!
Stewart Simms - for being my pastor
Bill Rickets - for being Lisa's pastor
John Talley - for being my family's pastor these last 6 yrs.
Scott Kindig - for recommending me to John Talley and FBC Winder; and for "being there"! You are a great friend!
Doug Couch - for the IMPACT you have had in my life and the lives of students and student pastors all over the state of GA
Jackie Cook - for your prayers! You are a prayer warrior, and I am forever grateful for the courageous prayers you have prayed on my behalf!
Rickey Bailey - you are my accountability partner!
Zane and Berniece Metcalf (aka Pawpaw and Mimi) - the words, "thank you", are not enough
Tony and Linda Breedlove (aka Pop and Grammy) - you have blessed me with a rich spiritual heritage
Mary Cleland Sills (aka Mamo - died 08-13-1994) - You lived life to the fullest and you prayed that one of your grandchildren would be called to the ministry. Two (West and myself) out of the same family were called. I have your Bible in which you circled and inscribed my name beside the following verse (I have it bookmarked):
¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16, New King James Version)

My Letter of Resignation from FBC Winder

For the last six-years of my life, I have been the Minister of Students and Evangelism at First Baptist Church Winder. Today, Lisa and I take a huge step of faith as I submit my resignation and pursue God's leadership to become the Executive Pastor at River Hills Church in Winder, GA (aka... the church that meets at the Y).

The following is my letter of resignation:

November 29, 2009

Dear Pastor and Church Family,

There are no words strong enough to describe the depth of love and appreciation that Lisa and I have for the family of First Baptist Church Winder. Over the last 6 years, you have loved us, served with us, supported us, prayed for us, laughed with us and wept with us. This has been a place of personal and spiritual growth. Thank you! We are forever grateful.

God has been solidifying in my life a passion and vision that was birthed in my heart twenty-three years ago while I was on a mission trip to Bogota, Colombia. It was on that mission that God called me to participate in missions, train people to serve and be a “sender” of missionaries worldwide. To put it simply, this vision is focused on assimilating people in ministry and mission from our community to the world!

So, after much prayer, and with the support from our pastor, it is with holy anticipation that I must share with you that at the beginning of the New Year, I will be joining the staff of River Hills Church as the Executive Pastor.

River Hills Church is a church plant in our community that has experienced healthy Kingdom growth and is in need of a staff member to assimilate people in ministry, coordinate small groups, develop community ministries, and train staff. With the growth experienced by River Hills and the clear vision God has developed in my heart, this is a positive move for both River Hills Church and First Baptist Church.

Therefore, it is with a step of faith that I submit my resignation as your Minister of Students and Evangelism effective December 31, 2009.

I have just one request. That you would commit to praying for my family as we follow God’s leadership in this new ministry to carry on a work that our church helped to begin in 2007.

To God be the glory!



Spencer Breedlove

Attitude Check!

It's the day after Thanksgiving and most of the Christmas decor is up! It has been a tradition in our family to travel to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree for the season. Not this year! It was time for a change! No more dead trees by Jan. 1. No more vacuuming pine needles stuck deep in the carpet. No more having to water a tree that had no roots!

This year... I advocated for a pre-lit, artificial tree. And Lisa agreed. She even let me go to the store and pick it out myself! So, armed with a $15 gift card and $80 off retail at Home Depot, I got the "display"! Can you say "plug and play"? It was awesome! Not bad for $37 and some change.

We all have our traditions. Some are good. Some, well, just need to go away - like cutting down a tree. Many of us have "traditionalized" our faith. We do the same thing the same way but don't experience any growth. WHY?

I think it's the ATTITUDE by which we attack life! If our attitude is based on duty rather than on love for God and love for others, our faith will stagnate because do not have the right motivation. It's time for an ATTITUDE CHECK!!!

Consider Philippians 2:5-11:
 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Derek Spain - North Country Ministries - Great video!

This is a great video highlighting what God is doing through Lake Placid Baptist Church in the state of New York. Derek Spain, who grew up in Dacula, GA, has been the pastor there for the last 8 yrs. God has anointed him to preach the Gospel to the world in a place where athletes from all over the world come to his community for winter sports. Be encouraged to "live life to the fullest" as you watch this video.

I am Thankful for...

I am thankful for...

1. Jesus! He is the author and the perfecter of my faith. It is a true joy following His leadership! I look forward to the future!
2. My wife of 15 years! Lisa... I love you deeply!
3. My family! I am grateful for my mom and dad; the heritage my Mamo created in my life; my brother and his family; my in-laws (Pawpaw is a fighter - 2 yrs fighting cancer and still playing golf when he can!); my three wonderful kids - Tyler (12) Jared (8) and Elisabeth (4) - you guys bring joy to my heart!
   
4. My church family of 6 yrs - Thank You FBCW for all the support and love you have given to Lisa and me and our family! I am forever grateful for you!
5. Some very close friends - Jeff and Pam (Mer and G)... we love you so much! Shannon and Deanna (TK, Torrie, and Toot) PapPap and Nanna... you guys are like family! Rickey... you are my brother in the faith...thanks for ALL the lunches, prayers and words of encouragement... I love you!
   

These are just a few things I am thankful for! I don't have enough time or space to list all of them! God bless you all this Thanksgiving and Christmas! To God be the Glory!

Are you Deep Frying a Turkey for Thanksgiving?

I have been deep-frying turkey's at Thanksgiving for several years now! This is the ABSOLUTE BEST way to prepare the sacrificial gobbler! I grew up eating "dry" turkeys that were roasted in the oven. But the first time I tasted a turkey that had been baptized in hot peanut oil I knew there was no other way I would ever cook a turkey.

Here are some basics to deep-frying a turkey:

1. First and foremost...Be Safe! If you are deep-frying outdoors, do not do it on wooden decks (extreme fire hazard).
2. How much oil to put in the fryer: Put the turkey in the fryer and fill with water just above the turkey; Pull the turkey out and let the water drain from the turkey; With a ruler, measure from the top down to give you a measurement to use when you fill your fryer with oil. (Don't forget to empty the water)
3. When oil temperature is at 250 degrees lower turkey into fryer.
4. Bring temperature to 350 degrees.
   
5. Cook time is based on the weight of the turkey. Plan 3-4 mins per pound.
6. You will want to check the temperature of meat. The breast should be about 170 degrees and the thigh should be about 180 degrees.
   
7. After you remove the turkey from the fryer, allow it to cool for about 20 mins before carving.
8. Bonappetite

Here are a couple of good websites to check out if you are deep-frying a turkey this year:

• How to Deep Fry a Turkey 
• Deep Fry a Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!

HELP NEEDED for the (Winder) National Guard Christmas Party

Help is needed for the coordinators of the National Guard Christmas Party on Sunday, December 6, 2009, from 2-4PM.

LeAnne Akin with Operation Patriot's Call has asked First Baptist Church Winder to help by preparing some covered dishes for the families of deployed Guardsmen of HHC, Echo Company and the Lawrenceville armory.

This is a great way to serve the families of those who are serving our great country overseas. ITEMS REQUESTED INCLUDE:

• mashed potatoes
• sweet potato casserole
• scalloped potatoes
• French fries

If you can help... PLEASE email me at sbbdawg@gmail.com!

Thanksgiving Feast at Elisabeth's school

It was a Thanksgiving Feast at Elisabeth's school today. Here's a
picture of our "Chinese-American- Pilgrim"!

Thanks Ms. Heather and Ms. Mikaela for a great meal and teaching
Elisabeth the importance of being thankful.

What a great day today!

Today was a great day! Here are some of the highlights:

• Met with a friend to talk about life! He bought my b'fast (Chick-fil-a of course) Thanks Matt!
  
• Met with my cousin Brad - owner/operator of the Chick-fil-a store in Monroe, GA - to request his prayer support about a critical matter in the life of my family! He bought my lunch (Chick-fil-a again!) Thanks Brad!
  
• Visited with a family at an Atlanta hospital.
• Found out that my blog was approved by Random House publishers to post a review of Mark Batterson's new book, Primal. I am pumped about this! If you are not familiar with Mark Batterson, he is the pastor or National Community Church in Washington, DC. Two of his more well known books are In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase.
  
• Connected with a pastor in the Loganville area who gave me some great words of encouragement! Thanks Russ!
• Counseled with two people after staff meeting and was able to "put into practice" the message heard last night from Louie Giglio on where to turn when life hurts most!
• Received a homemade PECAN pie from a sweet lady whose husband just past away a few weeks ago. Thanks Mrs. Bowman! You're awesome!

In the words of one of my old time favorite Christian bands - Geoff Moore and the Distance - "It's good to be alive!"

Thoughts from FBC Winder's High School Bible Study tonight

We concluded our Fall Bible Study Schedule tonight to take a break for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This has been as special time for Lisa and me and the 20+ students and adults who have gathered each week in our home for some great food and in-depth Bible study!

Tonight, we wrapped up a three-week study based on Louie Giglio's Passion Talk Series! Tonight's talk was "HOPE - When Life Hurts Most". WOW... what powerful and moving time we had as students expressed their hurts... you know... those "faith-shaking", bottom-falling-out-from-under-me painful moments!! Students shared everything from the death of close family members to friends dying of cancer to broken relationships between siblings to relationships with friends coming to an end. Whoa!!!

Here's what we learned:

• "Christianity cannot always be reduced to a simple answer!" -Giglio
• There WILL BE trouble! -Jesus (John 16:33)
• You have an ANCHOR for the soul! -Heb. 6:19-20
• At The Cross... We see that God Loves US!
• At The Cross... God allows freedom but He maintains control... GOD is NEVER not in control of your life!
• At The Cross... God can use the WORST for ETERNAL good!
• At The Cross... God paints on a canvass bigger than we can see or imagine!
  

Freedom

This morning at Impact Bible Study (our 10:30 Bible study for students), I talked about FREEDOM!

What is FREEDOM?
Is it the absence of rules and guidelines to live by? Is it not having a curfew? Is it having the ability to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it? Of the 17 different definitions I found, I like the following one, because I think it best summarizes who we are as Christ-followers: FREEDOM is "the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like."

What do we need to be FREED from?
SIN! Romans 8:20 says, "through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me FREE from the law of sin and death."

What are we FREED for?
We are freed to live! Philippians 3:20 says "our citizenship is in heaven." Jesus said, "...you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you FREE." He also said that He came "so that you may have life and have it to the fullest."

So... what's the definition of Biblical Freedom?
FREEDOM is... "KNOWING the truth and LIVING life abundantly!"

The "CV" on the Back of UGA Game Day Helmets

For those of you who may not be aware of what the "CV" stands for on the back of all UGA game-day helmets, it is the initials of UGA Baseball player, Chance Veazey. Included in this post is a link to a current story about Chance that summarizes the last 4 weeks of this young man's life. This story will inspire you to "press on" even when dreams are shattered!

Georgia baseball: Dream derailed for UGA's Chance Veazey - Sports - Ledger-Enquirer.com

Patience Please

I am working to have the email that is sent to my subscribers to include the actual text from my posts. Right now, the email includes only links that send you back to my blog. If you were able to read the whole post in your email, please let me know. While I certainly don't mind you visiting my blog, if you are like me, you want to read the latest posts via email rather than getting routed to another website.

Thanks for your patience!

Living Life to the Fullest

The primary purpose of my blog is to "Encourage People to Live Life to the Fullest" and is based on one of my favorite sayings of Jesus. He said, "The thief (the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." So how does this happen? How can one live life to the fullest?

• You need to know your enemy's plan! His plan is to annihilate you! Resist him! (Jn. 10:10, James 4:7, 1 Pe. 5:8-9)
• Know your Savior! His plan is to give you a full life by reconciling you to God! (Jn 10:10, Rom. 5:11, 2 Cor. 5:18)
• Live by faith! For the sake of the Gospel, there will be decisions that just don't make any sense economically. If you make decisions by "sight", then how can God help your "unbelief"? (Rom. 1:17, 2 Cor. 5:7, Mk 9:24)
• Love God! Love People! (Matt. 22:37-39) 'nuf said!
  

BLACK FRIDAY is coming!

Friday, November 27, 2009, is BLACK FRIDAY. This is the day when crazy people converge on Bass Pro Shop, Walmart, and stores all over the nation to get door-buster deals at 5AM in the morning...like it's a huntin trip! Of course...I guess that's what it really is. I mean, The gifts have been identified, the territory has been marked, "tree stands" have been set up, "OPENIN DAY" is COMIN'! Now all that's left is the shootin...to get the most BANG for your BUCK!

But before you get to shootin' let's have a "safety check" on our hearts:

1. Have a good attitude! (Phil 2:5) Remember... "It's not about you!"
   
2. GIVE Generously! (2 Cor. 9:7) not just to your family, but to orphans, widows, and people in need!
   
3. Consider others FIRST! (Phil 2:3) Be Kind!
   
4. Say NO to Credit! Cash killed him! (Prov. 22:7) GET ON A BUDGET! Give yourself the book "My Total Money Makeover" for Christmas. You WON'T regret it!
   

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!

Please Subscribe to Breedlove Blog

I have updated my blog recently and would like to invite you to subscribe to the email list! My blog - The Breedlove Blog - is intended to "Encourage People to Live Life to the Fullest". I will have stories, comments, and words of encouragement to help you live life to the fullest! Feel free to check out my most recent post on being shadow-ed by a 9th Grader!

Please take a few moments to subscribe by going to blog.spencerbreedlove.com
On the right side of my site, you will see a place to "Subscribe to Blog". Enter your email address and follow the instructions from their! You will be sent an email to verify your request.

Each day, you will get an email from me that includes my blog posts from that day!

Thank you for taking the time to do this! I look forward to encouraging you!

"Six Hours One Thursday - Job Shadow-ed by a 9th Grader"

I was shadow-ed by a 9th grade student today. His name is Tim. WOW...was I blown away by Tim's understanding of the Gospel and call of God on his life. Personally, I felt like I was the one doing the shadow-ing. 

Get this... this student watches & listens to (online) AND reads Dr. D. James Kennedy - deceased pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Coral Ridge, FL, and the developer of Evangelism Explosion.

We started the day with Prayer Breakfast at 7AM in the youth center at FBC Winder. When I first met Tim, he didn't look all that happy to be up that early in the morning. But after getting in the car and listening to his questions... it was obvious that I was not going to have to prod and probe this kid to get him to talk!

After dropping off my son at his school, we met my wife at Starbucks for some coffee and an interview...which was pretty cool! Then, after spending some time at the office, meeting my pastor and staff, touring the church and catching up on our social networking pages on Facebook and Twitter - he actually signed up for a Twitter account (@jesus141994) while in my office - we had lunch and another interview with my good friend and local church planter, Chip Wheeler (@chipwheeler for you Tweets), pastor of River Hills Church (aka...the church at the Y).

There is no doubt that God is birthing incredible messages in this kid's heart; which, by the way, Tim is already writing out and filing them in a journal. In the first of many journal entries he allowed me to read, he wrote the following:

"The Law of the Kingdom of God is: 

you rise by descending, live by dying and receive by giving."

I am not sure if he was quoting someone or not...but just the fact that he would have that written in a spiritual journal is amazing!

Pray for Tim! He is descending, dying and giving everyday! He is an amazing young man who loves God and is following God's leadership for his life. For those who responded with words of encouragement to Tim RE: my Facebook post, thank you. They were a great encouragement to Tim as well as to me!

• Mrs. McDaniel...thank you for the opportunity to meet Tim!
• Hansi... thanks for your kind words! I am grateful for you my friend!
• Karen... thanks for your encouragement! You continually make a difference in this community!

Staff Devotion Today from Tom Tyer

STAY FOCUSED!
Don't forget WHO your God is!
Scripture - Deut. 6:4-9

Recession-proof Your Life - message by Mark Brooks with the Charis Group

Mark Brooks with www.thecharisgroup.org spoke about recession-proofing your life at First Baptist Church Winder yesterday. Here are some of the points he made based on Matthew 6:25-34:


Adapt a Proper Perspective

• This is a recession...not a depression.
• The recession WILL end.
• God is still in control! (vs. 25)

Set the right priorities

• Put God first! (Mal. 3:10)
• Start with a commitment.
• Develop a plan of action. (See list below)

1. Avoid making foolish decisions.
2. Set a budget
3. Eliminate debt
4. Have multiple streams of income
5. Avoid entrapment - get rich quick schemes
6. SAVE!!!
7. Manage your assets
8. Be healthy
9. Learn
10. Make it a lifelong passion

At the close of his message, Mark was very transparent with the congregation in regards to the impact the economy has had on small business owners. Mark, a small business owner himself, called the church to prayer for small business owners in First Baptist Church. He had small business owners and their spouses to stand and people all over the church began to lay hands on them and pray. It was a very powerful time of prayer and encouragement!

What I am Currently Reading

Desiring God by John Piper
Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing by Geoff Surrat
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco (for my children)
The Way of the Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman (just finished my second reading of this book)
Breaking the Discipleship Code by David Putnam
God's Word by God Himself