They were having church! That's what Pastor Dan Clemens said about a video he showed in Sunday's Modern Worship service. The video featured a performer from the popular musical movie, "The Greatest Showman." In it, Keala Settle, who plays a shy bearded lady who gains confidence when she joins the circus, is shy as a performer rehearsing with the cast and orchestra ahead of filming. While she is singing, "This is Me," Settle begins to walk about the room and really gain confidence in the rehearsal. She and her director talk about this experience at the beginning of the video (watch it here). It gets exciting in a way that praise and worship also gets exciting in church — the energy and connection of the people in the video was very real.

We are all created in God's image. Everyone. Genesis 1:26-27 says, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of heaven and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."

And in Romans 5:12, the Bible reads: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

James 3:9: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness."

Who are you?

Anyone who has seen the children's film "Finding Nemo" has heard the phrase by Dory, "Just keep swimming." It's been turned into countless memes and said many times since the film's release.

Life is tough. We all have demands. We all have internal struggles such as anxiety, depression, fear, loneliness, boredom, and more. Maybe you have a job that's brought you down, but you can't leave it for money reasons. Or you have a family that makes you crazy. Or your body issues are overwhelming you with self-loathing. Maybe you have a life-altering illness or struggle with addictions.

Dory says it best: We're all swimming and we just have to keep on doing it. We all might be on different paths, but we're in the same stream.

God says that with Him, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

His word is a light to our paths. (Psalm 119:105)

If we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will keep our paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

There are so many references in the Holy Bible about not fearing anything, walking in the right direction, and staying focused on Him. This will lighten our loads and make life more bearable. Christians have protection.

Getting this reminder that God has your back is a top reason for following a daily devotional plan, like what's available (for free!) on the YouVersion app. And starting your day with it will help you be reminded that God will make lemonade out of lemons.

Think of Him whispering, "Just keep swimming ... just keep swimming."

Spoiler alert: If you watch "The Masked Singer" on Fox and haven't seen the episode that aired Wednesday, Jan. 16, stop reading. You have been warned!

"The Masked Singer" is an interesting competition. Famous people get dressed in elaborate costumes and sing on stage in front of a handful of other famous people who are judges. Each week, the singer with the least votes leaves the show — but he or she must first reveal their identity. Throughout the show, there are clues to help judges and the audience figure out who they are.

On Wednesday's episode, a singer who appears to be female and is dressed as a sparkly white unicorn says she likes singing behind the mask because it has given her freedom to try something new and not fear the rejection. Her voice is not as strong as the other competitors, which has led the panelists to believe she is a model or actor. Still, they have flowered her with compliments on her bravery, her decent voice and her strength.

Are we all hiding behind masks? What forces us to stay in our shells and not do things we want to do? Have you ever thought about being a performer, a writer, a preacher, a teacher, or someone who must speak or perform to crowds? What held you back?

We conform to what we think society requires of us. Those with true bravery are leaders: They aren't afraid to try it, to be judged, to stand in front of the rest.

Is this a year to conquer a fear? Is time moving quickly for you?

"Be strong and of good courage," Deuteronomy 31:6 reads. "Do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.

"He will not leave you, nor forsake you."

Those who are following the YouVersion plan for reading the Bible in 365 days may have read about the three Ps: Praising, proclaiming, and praying. The author of the devotional focused on these "cries" to the Lord.
Praising: Psalm 9:11 says to sing praise to the Lord.
Proclaiming: Psalm 9:11 also says to proclaim among the nations what He has done.
Praying: Psalm 9:12 says the Lord does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
The author of the devotional points out that God is called a "sovereign Lord" many times in the Bible and that we are to trust in Him. We may never know why bad things happen in life but we should know there is purpose behind it. Don't panic. Pray. TRUST. Follow.

Trust. ... Pray. ... Praise. ... Proclaim.
Bible reading: Psalm 9:7-12

The "hustle and bustle" of the holidays, as they like to say (and, who is "they"?), ended 21 days ago. It's this time of year we think about how we might better our lives or steer our futures. As Pastor Dan Clemens preached the first Sunday in January, he listed faith-related challenges to consider. Did you take any of those challenges to heart? Which one will you focus on most?

Day 17 in January is known as the day most folks officially are done trying to push their New Year's resolutions forward. It's actually called "Ditch New Year's Resolutions Day." We're at Day 15. Are you still moving forward with yours? Are you still attempting any challenge put before you at the beginning of this year? Most folks make the pledge to exercise, diet, and clean up their finances. One resolution that's popular but falls lower on the list: Finding love or rebuilding relationships that have some cracks. Is this a resolution of yours?

This blog post isn't going to give you advice on how to keep resolutions, accept challenges, or moving forward with any commitments. There are hundreds out there that will. This post is a simple reminder that you are strong and do not have to "ditch" your New Year's resolution on Day 17. You can restart challenges. 

Keep going!

You have no excuse for the boredom that winter might bring, no matter your age. First Baptist Church Hamilton is offering a lot of ways to serve the Lord and to have fellowship with others in the coming weeks. Here’s a spotlight on a few of those activities. Anyone from the public may participate — just call or message the church for information on how to get involved.

• Do a little work at Matthew 25: Ministries — From 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 24, the church is offering a chance to go to Matthew 25: Ministries. Bring a sack lunch and a beverage and meet at First Baptist at 8:30 a.m. that day. Anyone is welcome. Matthew 25: Ministries is important to the community in many ways, and we love its presence at Kirkwood Camp, where some of our youth go for a life-changing week each summer.
• Be a listener — The Wednesday night program for children at FBCH, Awana, needs folks to listen to children read their memorized Bible verses. This takes less than half an hour to do and happens right after family dinner.
• Study the Bible with others — Women are invited to a Bible Study at 9:30 a.m. each Friday beginning Jan. 18. It takes place in rooms 113-114 at FBCH. (Workbook purchases may be required — see Brenda Brown.) Men are welcome at a Bible Study & Prayer at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, at the church. Bring a friend!
• Babysit — When the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) and moms of older children visit our church for the monthly MOPS meeting, the church provides daycare. It’s only a few hours on a Tuesday morning once per month. Find a member of the MOPS steering team or contact the church to find out how to help. The church also needs helpers once a month for Parents Night Out, where parents will bring children to the church while they run errands or go on dates or — go home and take a nap! The event is typically the final Friday evening of each month, beginning at 5 p.m. Bonus: Parents Night Out usually involves pizza for the kids and helpers.
• Feed the hungry — FBCH members and any other participants who wish to come are invited to help serve a meal at Serve City on the third Monday of each month. Call Nancy Whipple at (513) 863-2309 to get involved.

This is a very small list of the activities supported by First Baptist of Hamilton. Find out more on the church’s website or talk to a church employee.