A Celebration of Life: Andrew Enoch Mullinax

Here is the information about young Andrew's short and very powerful life. Be blessed.
Pastor David


My friends,
Now that the week is finally slowing down a little bit, there is so much I want to say to all of you—the body of Christ at it’s very best. Thank you so much for praying for Shannon and Bert and their families. Some of you know what it is like have many people praying for you during a tragic time in your life—so many people praying that you feel God’s supernatural strength and peace coursing through your life even though your mind tells you that you should be on the floor in the fetal position crying your eyes out. I see that same supernatural strength in Shannon and Bert. Your prayers mean so very much—probably more than you can possibly realize. Please continue to pray in the days ahead.

I want to share a little bit about what happened on Monday while you were all praying for this precious family. I have heard Shannon and Bert say this same thing about the day—It was a good and beautiful day. When Shannon and Bert first discovered that Drew’s body was so challenged, they made a decision to celebrate his life—no matter how short it was going to be. It’s hard to believe that he was only here for eight and a half hours, because a day packed with so many precious and special moments seems to go on forever.
Shannon and Bert were surrounded by amazing love from family and their closest friends. The OR team at Northside Hospital made a first-ever exception and allowed Shannon’s mom, Bert’s mom, and Anna Carson (professional photographer and close friend) to be in the OR during Shannon’s c-section. This exception was the first of many to come. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the staff at Northside and how they allowed us to do whatever we needed to do—even when it was against the rules or protocols. Every nurse, doctor, technician, and staff member at the hospital paved the way to make things easy and wonderful for Shannon and Bert and the large contingent they had following along.
The original plan was that following Drew’s birth, Shannon and her mom would go to recovery while Bert, his mom and Anna went to the NICU with Drew. When Drew was born, his breathing was not strong and his doctor suggested that everyone go to recovery together and that Shannon and Bert keep Drew with them so that they could spend as much time with him as possible. It seemed like his time with us was going to be very short. As the next couple of hours passed and the brothers, grandparents, uncles, aunts, nieces and friends came in to meet Drew, he gained strength and his respiration became steady and stronger. Whenever Shannon held Drew, his color improved and his respiration became even and stronger. Drew obviously knew his mommy and was drawing his strength from her.
Every time I walked into the room and looked at Bert, I saw complete joy and strength on his face. He was an absolute rock—for Shannon, his two older boys, and all of us who were there to support him. It was clear to me that God’s strength and peace was with him in an amazing way. There had been times during the day when Bert stood over the small warming table while the doctors examined Drew and explained what was happening in his small body. Then Bert would go to Shannon, explain the issues at hand and they would make each decision for Drew together. He was not worried or fretful. He had peace and strength of spirit. He remains that way today--upheld by your prayers.
At about 6:00pm, Shannon and Drew were moved to a regular room where Shannon would be more comfortable and where there was more space for the large crowd. For a time, Drew was stable enough for us to start passing him around a little more. Anna got photos of many family members and friends holding Drew. The entire day was filled with bittersweet tears, love of family, and the joy of laughter. After dinner the large crowd began to shrink some until there were only about 10 or 12 of us left. There had been several times during the day when Drew would stop breathing and struggle to get his next breath. Shannon would rub him and stimulate him to help him get his breath and bring his respiration back to normal. As the night went on, Drew stopped breathing more often and it was becoming more difficult for him to get started again.
Just before 10:00pm, it became clear that Drew was not going to be with us much longer. The family and friends encircled the bed while Shannon held Drew and Bert listened to his son’s last heartbeats with the doctor’s stethoscope. As little Andrew Enoch’s life on earth ended and his soul entered heaven, Lisa Young blessed everyone with the sweet gift of song as she sang so beautifully of peace, praise and God’s presence. It was one of the most beautiful moments that I have ever had the honor of experiencing. God worked out the details to create a truly good and beautiful day, and Drew’s life was a precious gift to everyone he came in contact with.

Thank you again for your prayers, encouragement, sweet words, hugs and acts of comfort for the Mullinaxes. Shannon and Bert are the two most courageous and faithful friends I have, and I am so honored to know them and to share life with them. Many of you have asked about arrangements for Drew and the need for food. The family will be holding a private graveside service on Monday morning for family and close friends. Several Sunday School classes at Briarlake Baptist are providing the food for the family on Monday. During the week of November 17, we will begin a food calendar for the family. I will send more information about that at a later time. If you attend Briarlake and your class is providing food on Monday, you will receive information from your class president today or tomorrow as those plans become more solid.
I know that many of you want to do something for the family. I will let you know whenever there is a specific opportunity to minister to them, but I encourage you to call, visit, e-mail, send cards, have coffee, share dinner or whatever God leads you to do in the coming days. Flowers may be sent to Turners Funeral Home in Decatur or donations may be made in Andrew Enoch Mullinax’s memory to www.ironmanforkids.com. Iron Man for Kids is an organization that seeks to create a much needed awareness and support for the chromosomal disorders trisomy 13 and 18 through the racing of an extreme amount of Ironmans around the world. Sounds like something Bert and Shannon would like, doesn’t it? Thanks and much love to you all!


In His Service,

Susan McDaniel
Children's Ministry Director s Briarlake Baptist Church s (404) 574-1614 s (678) 230-9851 (cell) s www.BriarlakeChurch.org

Election Woes

Well, the election is either really close or it has already come by the time you read this Blog. The amazing thing is that no matter who the President elect is you are still able to 1) afford to have some sort of internet connection, 2) technologically access the internet and 3) your brain has not been fried by some devious plan of the "other party". How things turn out over the next four years, well that may be different.
Seriously though, we as Believers need to continue to have a strong understanding of the Sovereignty of God and the reality that He is (and will be) in control of His universe. Our thoughts and prayers need to continue to be for REPENTANCE, REFRESHING and REVIVAL for the houshold of faith. It is when that phenominon happens that we will see sinners converted and a positve influence on our community begin to make a change.
REPENTANCE: The action resulting from a full understanding and sorrow for our personal sin. I cannot repent from my brother's sin, nor for my nation's. I can only repent from what I know to be wrong in my own personal life.
REFRESHING: Some may call it the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the filling, spiritual renewal, second blessing. etc. The Bible speaks of the need for each of us to be continually being filled with the Spirit. It can only come when we have emptied ourselves of ourselves and acknowledged and repented of any known sin. It comes as a work of God by the Spirit of God to the child of God; yet is is so necessary for the Christian walk to be effective in the world in which we live.
REVIVAL: The life of the individual Christian that demonstrates the power and the presence of God in their lives through every activity of their lives. Jesus Christ becomes more real and the knowledge of His soon return begins to burn in the heart. True REVIVAL causes the individual to have a passion for personal holiness, continual devotion to the things of the Kingdom of God and an honest compassion for the lost.
When the Church comes to the point of REPENTANCE, REFRESHING AND REVIVAL, then and only then will we see God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven. The lost will see the reality of Christ as the Children of God live and act like His children rather than of the devil.
If you have any thoughts, let me hear them.
PD

A Different Point of View

How often we can become puzzled by the attitude and views of non-Christians. Something what seems so plain and simple to us is seen by the non-Believer as totally different. More often than not the Believer and the non-Believer find entertainment in different ways, spend their money in different ways, hold different views of marriage, vote in different ways and have different plans for their future. Even the purpose of life for a non-Beleiver is radically different than one who has given their heart and life to Jesus Christ. Or so it should be.

Many Christians today are trying to live in two worlds and not doing a very good job at either one. On one hand they declare their love for the Lord while on the other hand they are living like the world -- not in a radically sinful way (although some do), but in an attitude of "this world mindedness". They are trying to live the life of a Christian while thinking like the world and it just doesn't work.

Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." He is saying "have the mind of Christ." In this case he is dealing with the attitude of humility and service -- even unto death. In Romans 12:2 Paul says straight forward, "don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." He knew that the battle of the spirit is often won or lost in our minds. Even James, while using a double metaphor of heart and mind speaks of the need to get our minds right while we are living in this present world. In 4:8 he declares that we are to "purify your hearts, you double-minded."

We can never be completely powerful in our Christian lives if we are "double-minded"; trying to live our Christian lives through the viewpoint of the world. Our focus needs to be on the things of Christ and how the events and choices of our life effect our relationship with Him and our testimony of Him to the surrounding community.

We need to have such a view of things in this world that we are able to see from a Biblical perspective the implications of not only our actions, but the actions of those around us. When we have a Biblical world view we look at the events of the world in a different light. We even look at our enemies in a different light. We see our future, plans and purpose in light of eternity -- not simply as temporary.

If you have not taken the opportunity to be involved in Focus on the Family's "The Truth Project" I would highly encourage you to attend one of the seminars at your earliest convenience -- it will probably change your point of view.

So, what's your "perspective"? Join the discussion.

Sheep From Another Pasture

Having recently returned from Israel and visiting the area known as the West Bank, I have a renewed appreciation for those who receive Christ in a hostile environment. The West Bank is controlled politically by the Palestinian Authority but it is also controlled religiously by the Muslims. There is so much involved there in that place -- politics and religion, as well as the politics of religion. The borders of politics and religion are very strong in some ways, but very liquid in other ways. The dividing wall between the Israelis and the Palestinians is real – both the concrete wall and the spiritual wall. Yet it is only Jesus Christ who can truly break down the dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14).

However, for the Muslim Background Believer (MBB) they find themselves walking in a no man’s land. Many Christians do not associate with them (out of prejudice, fear or ignorance) and the Muslims see them now as enemies. Yet still, many Muslims are coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray for your Brothers and Sisters who come to Christ from generations of Islamic influence. Their struggle is real, the danger is real, but more than that, their God is real. Check out Mission International Blog site for some more detail of the trip. http://missionintl.blogspot.com/

"And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

“Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Think about it, pray about it, comment on it.

Pastor David

With Apologizes to Shakespeare

"To vote or not to vote, that is the question. Rather 'tis nobler to trust God's Sovereignty and not get involved in the political arena, knowing that His Word declares that it is He who raises and lowers princes and rulers; or to know that God in His Sovereignty allowed us to be born in a country that allows us to have some say in the political process, therefore we have a right, nay a duty to be both informed and diligent in the effort to elect men and women of godly principles."

As the time draws closer to the elections of a new President, there are also members of House and Senate who are either seeking position or desiring to remain in position. How much time have you spent in looking at the candidates which may effect our country or your local community over the next few years? Perhaps the more basic question would be; have you even registered to vote in the upcoming elections?

You can argue the effect or lack thereof for the single vote of a man or a woman in the general scheme of things. Yet, history has shown us that many elections have been won or lost by a marginally slim majority. You can argue the fact that even when people who seem to be godly in character get into positions of power that so many seem to so quickly become corrupt. Yet for each one who makes the headlines because of scandal there are countless others who continue on serving with integrity and purpose -- they simply don't make the headlines. You may argue all you want of the purpose, need and good that it would do for you to vote, the truth is that it does matter. I agree that many time you are voting for the lesser of two evils, yet to not vote simply gives the vote to the greater of the two evils.

I encourage you to prayerfully investigate the candidates, research patterns of voting records for the incumbents and then vote your conscience as to the best candidate for the office. We may not have the best system possible for the election of godly men and women, yet God has allowed us to have the best system of any nation that I am aware of. If it fails it is only because good men and women failed to do the right thing.

Pray about it, think about it and then leave a comment.

PD

The Deep Things of God

I think nearly everyone is struck by the question, "Why?" Let's face it, there are a lot of things that happen in life that simply do not make sense: the tragic death of a child (Steven Curtis Chapman's recent loss), the wealth and extended life of the wicked (Hugh Hefner 82, founder of Playboy magazine), cataclysmic natural disasters (the cyclone of Myanmar or tornadoes of our own Midwest) and the constant rise of evil.

In the midst of all these issues man is left with the uneasy task of finding balance and stability in our personal belief systems. If I contend for the notion that the disasters of China and Bangladesh come to bring God's judgment on the wicked, how do I then explain tornadoes in small town USA where people of deep faith live and strive to hold onto basic moral values and Biblical truths. The reality that we live in a fallen world is all around us. What we sometimes fail to remember is that with the fall of Adam, came the "fall" of all of creation. Paul tells us that the whole earth waits in "birth pangs" for the final chapter of God's present work. We (the Church), as a faith community have to realize that much of what we see in the world today is simply the outcome of the fact that we live in a fallen world infected by sin and spoiled from the beauty in which it was first created.

It is faith in a Sovereign and all powerful (omnipotent) God that we can look at even the catastrophes of this life and still proclaim that God IS on His throne and His Kingdom will not be shaken by temporary events. In 1 Corinthians 2:10, Paul speaks about the "deep things of God". These are things that cannot be understood in the flesh, but can only be understood in the spirit. They are things which God only sometimes reveals to us. In chapter 13:12 he speaks about the fact that right now we all look through a foggy glass into the things of God, but that one day we will know and understand even the tragedies of our life from God's viewpoint.

Have there been tragedies in your life that you are currently or have struggled with? Would you like to dialogue about your situation? How did God see you through the issues of life? Is there still questions that are left unanswered?

Think about it, pray about it, let's talk about it. Click on the comment link below and let me know what your thinking in this area.

Blessings,

pd

The Words of Zechariah

This morning my reading was in Zechariah 14. It is a passage that speaks of the end of times when Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives and the mountain "shall be split in two." The particular passage ends with the statement "And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be - 'The Lord is one, and His name is one (14:9)."



One of the things we know for certain is that this is not a prophetic passage that has already been fulfilled. It has yet to be accomplished. It is a prophetic message that speaks of the certainty of the End Times yet to come. As the fulfillment of so much of prophecy proves the validity of the Scriptures, the prophetic messages that have yet to be fulfilled ought to cause us to respond in at least two ways.



1) Knowing that these things will come to pass, what matter of persons ought we to be (2 Peter 3:11)? My question to you is, does the reality of prophecy cause you to respond differently to the world and events in the world than you would other wise? If so, how? If not, why not?



2) Because of the reality of prophecy and it's fulfillment in the past and certainty of the future, are you "looking forward to and hastening the day" of the Lord's coming? Do you look with excitement towards the Lord's coming or with uncertainty?



Think about it, pray about it and then comment about it.

Blessings,
pd