I can't believe that football season is here. I think I just heard Erin yet out a huge HECK YEA, I AM PUMPED!!! Those of you who know her know why that is a funny statement.
Tonight the Gamecocks will play NC State. This will be the first home opener that I will miss since 2000. I have a good excuse though. I cant wait for 8 o'clock to get hear.
On another note, Erin is progressing very well. She is due on September 7, however I am not sure that she is going to make it that long. We both are very excited about being parents. What an awesome responsibility and call from God.
I am now headed to play some playstation 2. Think I am going to play some football to pass some time away before kickoff tonight.
Until then.....GGGGGOOOOOOOOO CCCCCOOOOOOOOCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
How Great Is Our God
I have been listening to this song since last night. You can check it out in my play list at the bottom of the page. Let me explain why this song is so powerful to me right now.
I get to church last night and sit in down to get ready for the service. I notice a guy walks in. I could tell this was probably his first time at our church. He had on shorts, a t-shirt, and a hat, which I will explain why in a bit. It may have been the first time he had ever been to church. I begin to pray "God do something tonight that will blow our minds." During one of the song sets we ended with My Chains are Gone (also can be found at the bottom). I knew God was about to do something great.
There were some other things that were happening behind the scenes that I want go into. Just know Satan was trying his very best to stop what was about to take place. The man who had walked in seemed to be upset, bowing his head during many of the songs. During the welcome time I went to him, introduced myself, and welcomed him to our church. He introduced himself, and told me he was glad to be there. After talking with him for a moment something told me that this man was there for one reason.
I told my wife that if he came down during the invitation that I was going to talk with him. During the first verse here he came. I made my way over to him. After talking with him for a minute I asked him if he had ever been saved. He answered "I am not sure." I asked if he would like to know for sure. With tears coming down his face, he said YES!!! Last night David committed his life to Christ.
David was driving down the street (that's wear the clothing came in), saw the cars in the parking lot, and came in not knowing that God was about to change his life forever. I don't know a lot about David, but I know last night a man was driving down the road not intending to go to church, and God had another plan for his life. I know this morning David is a new man because of Jesus.
Please pray for David as he begins his new life in Christ. Pray that as we follow up with him, and finally pray that God would send more David's our way. Those driving down the street would get curious about what is going on inside our church and come right in.
As I was on the way home last night How Great is Our God came on the radio. I almost had a wreck because of the tears in my eyes. What a fitting way to end the day. It was nothing that I did, the church did, it was all because of our Great God!!!
I get to church last night and sit in down to get ready for the service. I notice a guy walks in. I could tell this was probably his first time at our church. He had on shorts, a t-shirt, and a hat, which I will explain why in a bit. It may have been the first time he had ever been to church. I begin to pray "God do something tonight that will blow our minds." During one of the song sets we ended with My Chains are Gone (also can be found at the bottom). I knew God was about to do something great.
There were some other things that were happening behind the scenes that I want go into. Just know Satan was trying his very best to stop what was about to take place. The man who had walked in seemed to be upset, bowing his head during many of the songs. During the welcome time I went to him, introduced myself, and welcomed him to our church. He introduced himself, and told me he was glad to be there. After talking with him for a moment something told me that this man was there for one reason.
I told my wife that if he came down during the invitation that I was going to talk with him. During the first verse here he came. I made my way over to him. After talking with him for a minute I asked him if he had ever been saved. He answered "I am not sure." I asked if he would like to know for sure. With tears coming down his face, he said YES!!! Last night David committed his life to Christ.
David was driving down the street (that's wear the clothing came in), saw the cars in the parking lot, and came in not knowing that God was about to change his life forever. I don't know a lot about David, but I know last night a man was driving down the road not intending to go to church, and God had another plan for his life. I know this morning David is a new man because of Jesus.
Please pray for David as he begins his new life in Christ. Pray that as we follow up with him, and finally pray that God would send more David's our way. Those driving down the street would get curious about what is going on inside our church and come right in.
As I was on the way home last night How Great is Our God came on the radio. I almost had a wreck because of the tears in my eyes. What a fitting way to end the day. It was nothing that I did, the church did, it was all because of our Great God!!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Back To School
and the parents said AMEN!! School starts today for most of the upstate schools and we are praying that the children have a great year.
Today is also a first for me in my blogging experience. I am going to recap Sunday Services with my 5 favorite quotes from pastors sermon each Sunday. I want to try and do this every Monday (yes I know today is Tuesday). Don't have a name for it right now, but one will come to me and I will name this segment of the blog.
1. Good people go to hell......Saved people go to heaven
Wow that is pretty intense right there
2. The devil doesn't care if you go to hell from the pew or from the gutter of this world. He just doesn't want you to go to heaven.
3. It's not church that saves you....It's Jesus.
being a member of a certain denomination doesn't save you, only Jesus can do that.
4. Every person will DIE....
5. If you were arrested for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you.
God blessed our church this past Sunday. I had the opportunity to lead a 7th grade young girl to faith in Jesus Christ. We also had several families join the church, along with several more putting their faith in Christ.
Today is also a first for me in my blogging experience. I am going to recap Sunday Services with my 5 favorite quotes from pastors sermon each Sunday. I want to try and do this every Monday (yes I know today is Tuesday). Don't have a name for it right now, but one will come to me and I will name this segment of the blog.
1. Good people go to hell......Saved people go to heaven
Wow that is pretty intense right there
2. The devil doesn't care if you go to hell from the pew or from the gutter of this world. He just doesn't want you to go to heaven.
3. It's not church that saves you....It's Jesus.
being a member of a certain denomination doesn't save you, only Jesus can do that.
4. Every person will DIE....
5. If you were arrested for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you.
God blessed our church this past Sunday. I had the opportunity to lead a 7th grade young girl to faith in Jesus Christ. We also had several families join the church, along with several more putting their faith in Christ.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New Feature Added
As you have heard by now I have added a music player to the bottom of my blog. I think that you will really enjoy this feature.
There are several things that I want to tell you about it. First, if you don't want to listen to it just go to the bottom of the page and hit the stop button. Second, if you want to listen to the songs while surfing on the Internet all you have to do is click on the middle button (Pop-Out Player). This will open the play list up in a new window and allow you to look at other websites while listening to the music. Don't like a certain song, that's ok, just click on the one you do like to listen.
If there are songs that you would like for me to post to the play list then email me at cfreeman@rockspsringsbaptist.com or leave me a comment. I will be changing the songs up every now and then.
There are several things that I want to tell you about it. First, if you don't want to listen to it just go to the bottom of the page and hit the stop button. Second, if you want to listen to the songs while surfing on the Internet all you have to do is click on the middle button (Pop-Out Player). This will open the play list up in a new window and allow you to look at other websites while listening to the music. Don't like a certain song, that's ok, just click on the one you do like to listen.
If there are songs that you would like for me to post to the play list then email me at cfreeman@rockspsringsbaptist.com or leave me a comment. I will be changing the songs up every now and then.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Gift of Salvation
Hey yall, that sounds about as country as country can be. I hope that you are enjoying Michael Phelps absolutely destroy his competition in the swimming aspect of the Olympics. Oh, and by the way at last count the USA was ahead in the medal count.
Ok, enough about the Olympics and on to other things. I had the privilege to share in a devotion for the teachers this morning at Hunt Meadows Elementary School. In a world where they are doing everything that they can to keep God out of schools, I applaud them for taking a stand. I pray that God blesses them in ways they cannot understand.
Now on to the gift of salvation. A couple of weeks ago the pastor shared a quick little three point sermon inside of he sermon. A lot times we often jot these down but don't pay attention to them. However, these three points have stuck with me for a couple of weeks now.
1. I am saved from the penalty of sin. This means that we don't have to suffer the penalty that sin brings with it. What is that penalty. DEATH!!! The moment that Jesus came into my life I was saved from having to pay the debt of sin which is DEATH!! See Jesus paid that debt for me when he died on the cross. I now have LIFE in Jesus!!
2. I am saved from the power of sin. This means that Satan has no power over my life. When Jesus saved me he filled me with the Holy Spirit. Thus meaning that I am no longer under the power of sin, but rather I am now under the power of the Holy Spirit. This enables me to live the life that God has called me to live.
3. One day I will be saved from the presence of sin. What a day that will be. Because I am a relationship with Jesus the Bible declares that I now have an eternal destiny. HEAVEN!! In heaven there will be no sin. I don't have to worry about messing up in heaven. I don't have to worry about making mistakes in heaven. In heaven I will be complete and saved from the presence of sin.
Until then may he find me faithful to HIM!!!
Ok, enough about the Olympics and on to other things. I had the privilege to share in a devotion for the teachers this morning at Hunt Meadows Elementary School. In a world where they are doing everything that they can to keep God out of schools, I applaud them for taking a stand. I pray that God blesses them in ways they cannot understand.
Now on to the gift of salvation. A couple of weeks ago the pastor shared a quick little three point sermon inside of he sermon. A lot times we often jot these down but don't pay attention to them. However, these three points have stuck with me for a couple of weeks now.
1. I am saved from the penalty of sin. This means that we don't have to suffer the penalty that sin brings with it. What is that penalty. DEATH!!! The moment that Jesus came into my life I was saved from having to pay the debt of sin which is DEATH!! See Jesus paid that debt for me when he died on the cross. I now have LIFE in Jesus!!
2. I am saved from the power of sin. This means that Satan has no power over my life. When Jesus saved me he filled me with the Holy Spirit. Thus meaning that I am no longer under the power of sin, but rather I am now under the power of the Holy Spirit. This enables me to live the life that God has called me to live.
3. One day I will be saved from the presence of sin. What a day that will be. Because I am a relationship with Jesus the Bible declares that I now have an eternal destiny. HEAVEN!! In heaven there will be no sin. I don't have to worry about messing up in heaven. I don't have to worry about making mistakes in heaven. In heaven I will be complete and saved from the presence of sin.
Until then may he find me faithful to HIM!!!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Let The Games Begin
Did you stay up last night and watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics? For some reason I found myself intrigued by everything.
I love the Olympics. No way would I ever go to most of the events that they show on TV. However, I find myself watching anything and everything that they show on TV. I guess it is the competitive spirit inside me. I want the Americans to win every event. I want to see the other countries fall flat on their face.
I am an American through and trough. So for the next 17 days its all Olympics for me. So chant with me now:
USA, USA, USA, USA, USA
I love the Olympics. No way would I ever go to most of the events that they show on TV. However, I find myself watching anything and everything that they show on TV. I guess it is the competitive spirit inside me. I want the Americans to win every event. I want to see the other countries fall flat on their face.
I am an American through and trough. So for the next 17 days its all Olympics for me. So chant with me now:
USA, USA, USA, USA, USA
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A Gamecock Testimony
I know that there are several of you out there that read my blog so I thought that you might find the following testimony pretty neat. If you are not a Gamecock fan I still think that you will enjoy this read.
The following is Tommy Beecher's testimony. Spurrier has named him the starting QB for this year. It is kinda long but I think you will enjoy it.
God's Plan for Me
I am writing this email to let everyone know what God is doing in my life. To fully understand, I have to start about four years ago. My senior year of high school had been the most incredible experience of my life. I loved hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. We won the state championship in football and I had a scholarship to play football at the University of South Carolina. Things were going so well in Concord, I didn't want to leave. It would be tough leaving Matt, Katie, and BJ and even tougher leaving the security my parents offered. I dreaded the day that I would have to leave them to come to school. I came down to South Carolina in the summer of 2005. The harsh reality of 5:00am runs and two and a half hours classes began and immediately I was homesick and longed to go home. The days dragged on, the summer turned to fall, and I found myself running the scout team. This was a job of few rewards. None of the coaches noticed me and I quickly lost my confidence. All Quarterbacks will tell you that confidence is one of, if not the most important components to the success of a quarterback.
Doubts started to enter my mind: Was I good enough to be here. Why would God have put me in a place where I was miserable I was on the verge of depression and the only thing that got me through that first semester was the anticipation of transferring. I did research everyday and looked for places I would feel comfortable. I talked to friends about transferring and decided myself that South Carolina was the last place I was going to be. God had other plans. God started speaking through my mom. I talked to her everyday on the phone during those last few weeks of the fall semester. It must have been hard telling me God had a plan for me down here while seeing how miserable her son was. As the decision whether to transfer or not approached, I spent more and more time in prayer and visited several different churches. Ironically, four services in a row, all with different churches, the preacher spoke on following God's plan. I could feel God speaking to me, but I ignored him. My comfort and my joy were put in front of God and I told him that there was time later in my life when I would be faithful. Finally, on the way back to Concord from William and Mary, a trip my parents had scheduled for Matt, I was broken and told my parents that God was telling me to go back to South Carolina.? He told me vividly, a feeling I still get chills about today, that he had a plan for me, if only I'd remain faithful. As I told them, my eyes swelled with tears. This was the last thing I wanted to do. Something happened during that moment. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I knew I was doing the right thing.
My relationship with Christ suddenly became alive and I gave him control. Entering the spring of my sophomore year, I knew I was at South Carolina for a reason. I knew God had a plan for me and I was anxious to see what it was. And so I waited, and waited, and waited. It wasn't until last fall that I played in a significant football game. The excitement was short lived and I moved back on the depth chart. I was able to hold every game but no one knows who the holder is; they still don't thankfully.? It was another rewardless job. But just when I thought God had kept me at USC to be the holder, spring ball was over and I found myself seated in front of Coach Spurrier. I left his office as the starting quarterback of South Carolina. God is amazing, his plan is perfect, and I should do less thinking. He was in control all along. Is this the beginning of Tommy Beecher's reign as the South Carolina quarterback. I don't know, I don't care.? One thing I do know, I will be prepared every game, I will be driven, and I will do my very best. This is all I can do, but with God, there is no limit to what I am capable of. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I have an incredibly loving family, and inspiring pastor, and wonderful friends that surround me with prayer. I feel safe, I feel protected, and I feel inspired. I don't know what is going to happen this year. I could start every game and have a great year. I could have a terrible first game and never play again. Only God knows. My prayer is that I will be an example to those who watch. My prayer is that my teammates, friends, and fans will see that this is something different in me. That through my actions, people will notice my relationship with Christ. God has put me on a platform, in the spotlight. What an opportunity to show the world the Power of God. In all that comes out of this year, the good and the bad, to Him be the glory. That is my testimony, a message many already know.
The reason I have told you is that I hope you will pray for me. Throughout my college career, the power of prayer has become evident. Sometimes I worry I will disappoint, sometimes I worry I will fail. I hope all of you will pray for me in these two regards. Pray that my nerves don't get that best of me and I will use them to become even more driven. I don't know what God has in store for me, but pray that I will be in the center of His Will. If God is with me, who can be against me? I have sent this email to prayer warriors, individuals I know have followed me and will continue to do so, people who are close to my heart. I love all of you and look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon.
Tommy Beecher
The following is Tommy Beecher's testimony. Spurrier has named him the starting QB for this year. It is kinda long but I think you will enjoy it.
God's Plan for Me
I am writing this email to let everyone know what God is doing in my life. To fully understand, I have to start about four years ago. My senior year of high school had been the most incredible experience of my life. I loved hanging out with my friends and spending time with my family. We won the state championship in football and I had a scholarship to play football at the University of South Carolina. Things were going so well in Concord, I didn't want to leave. It would be tough leaving Matt, Katie, and BJ and even tougher leaving the security my parents offered. I dreaded the day that I would have to leave them to come to school. I came down to South Carolina in the summer of 2005. The harsh reality of 5:00am runs and two and a half hours classes began and immediately I was homesick and longed to go home. The days dragged on, the summer turned to fall, and I found myself running the scout team. This was a job of few rewards. None of the coaches noticed me and I quickly lost my confidence. All Quarterbacks will tell you that confidence is one of, if not the most important components to the success of a quarterback.
Doubts started to enter my mind: Was I good enough to be here. Why would God have put me in a place where I was miserable I was on the verge of depression and the only thing that got me through that first semester was the anticipation of transferring. I did research everyday and looked for places I would feel comfortable. I talked to friends about transferring and decided myself that South Carolina was the last place I was going to be. God had other plans. God started speaking through my mom. I talked to her everyday on the phone during those last few weeks of the fall semester. It must have been hard telling me God had a plan for me down here while seeing how miserable her son was. As the decision whether to transfer or not approached, I spent more and more time in prayer and visited several different churches. Ironically, four services in a row, all with different churches, the preacher spoke on following God's plan. I could feel God speaking to me, but I ignored him. My comfort and my joy were put in front of God and I told him that there was time later in my life when I would be faithful. Finally, on the way back to Concord from William and Mary, a trip my parents had scheduled for Matt, I was broken and told my parents that God was telling me to go back to South Carolina.? He told me vividly, a feeling I still get chills about today, that he had a plan for me, if only I'd remain faithful. As I told them, my eyes swelled with tears. This was the last thing I wanted to do. Something happened during that moment. A weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I knew I was doing the right thing.
My relationship with Christ suddenly became alive and I gave him control. Entering the spring of my sophomore year, I knew I was at South Carolina for a reason. I knew God had a plan for me and I was anxious to see what it was. And so I waited, and waited, and waited. It wasn't until last fall that I played in a significant football game. The excitement was short lived and I moved back on the depth chart. I was able to hold every game but no one knows who the holder is; they still don't thankfully.? It was another rewardless job. But just when I thought God had kept me at USC to be the holder, spring ball was over and I found myself seated in front of Coach Spurrier. I left his office as the starting quarterback of South Carolina. God is amazing, his plan is perfect, and I should do less thinking. He was in control all along. Is this the beginning of Tommy Beecher's reign as the South Carolina quarterback. I don't know, I don't care.? One thing I do know, I will be prepared every game, I will be driven, and I will do my very best. This is all I can do, but with God, there is no limit to what I am capable of. I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I have an incredibly loving family, and inspiring pastor, and wonderful friends that surround me with prayer. I feel safe, I feel protected, and I feel inspired. I don't know what is going to happen this year. I could start every game and have a great year. I could have a terrible first game and never play again. Only God knows. My prayer is that I will be an example to those who watch. My prayer is that my teammates, friends, and fans will see that this is something different in me. That through my actions, people will notice my relationship with Christ. God has put me on a platform, in the spotlight. What an opportunity to show the world the Power of God. In all that comes out of this year, the good and the bad, to Him be the glory. That is my testimony, a message many already know.
The reason I have told you is that I hope you will pray for me. Throughout my college career, the power of prayer has become evident. Sometimes I worry I will disappoint, sometimes I worry I will fail. I hope all of you will pray for me in these two regards. Pray that my nerves don't get that best of me and I will use them to become even more driven. I don't know what God has in store for me, but pray that I will be in the center of His Will. If God is with me, who can be against me? I have sent this email to prayer warriors, individuals I know have followed me and will continue to do so, people who are close to my heart. I love all of you and look forward to seeing or hearing from you soon.
Tommy Beecher
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