Chisel

by Clay Batts

July 27-29, 2008

It was 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning. DeWayne Griffin's booming voice echoed throughout the 2040 Building, "Get up! Let's go! It's time to get up!" Nineteen guys were startled awake from a deep sleep and minutes later we were in the parking lot awaiting our marching orders. 'Griff' took us for a run, military style, to Mount Juliet Memorial Gardens where we visited the grave of Greg Griffith (the son of Jimmy). DeWayne spoke of the need for all of us to have a role model, "Christ is a Light to the world because He has already been through everything." He encouraged us to be servants like our Lord Jesus. Our willingness to serve in Christ's church shows a true heart devoted to God and His Kingdom.

During the 48 hours of leadership experiences, we were given a challenge; "Find the opportunities God will give you to use your abilities to make a significant impact on the lives of others." Every experience was filled with prime examples of this mission.

Brad Harrub, Focus Press- Brad spoke on how he created Think Magazine, and his plans for the magazine's impact on the world. The launching of Think Magazine reminds me of the account of David and Goliath. Brad had to overcome great obstacles, just as David did. 1 Samuel 17:33- And Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." David's response: 1 Samuel 17:37- "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!" David is very courageous to face this giant but what he says in verse 45 truly shows that he loves God with all his heart. 45- Then David said to the Philistine; "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." In verse 46, David explains to Goliath that the day the Lord delivers him into his hands, is the day that he will take his head and deliver it to the animals so that the earth may know there is a God in Israel. David overcame the giant and eventually became King over Judah. Just as Think Magazine started out small, it is now making a huge impact on the world just as David did on Israel.

As only two of our twelve experiences are mentioned here, we still send out our great appreciation to the other men who gave us tremendous advice for extra opportunities: Kevin Hines, Dennis Lloyd and the Anderson's, Mac Ice, Jim Bill McInteer, Bill McDonald, Rick Combs, Andy Connelly, and Jim Parnell. Our group was so blessed to spend 48 hours together, exploring opportunities to further God's Kingdom. We thank the elders, deacons, and workers who gave of their time and abilities to help us become stronger Christians and leaders in the church.

Chisel exposed our young men to various ways Christians are serving the Lord here in middle Tennessee. While we visited Gospel Advocate, Denny Lloyd taught our young men how to write an article. We asked for a volunteer to write an article for the "Messenger." Above you read Clay Batts' writing. Clay is a senior at Wilson Central who actively serves the Lord in many ways at MJ.

• Chisel 2008 --Sculpting Young Men to Lead Great Works -Aug 10, 2008
• Youth ministry subject of university workshop -Feb 05, 2008
• Home is Where you Make It -Aug 07, 2005
• New Eyes -Jun 12, 2005
• Teen Youth Ministry -Jan 16, 2005