Confession Friday - Things I struggle with.

Thanks to Amy
I'd thought I'd write on 3 things I struggle with and perhaps you do too!

Here they are in no particular order.


I. Pride. Sometimes I think myself better than others. Sometimes I can be really a jerk and not communicate, nor be the best husband, father, minister, teacher, preacher, sometimes I forget it isn't all about me - It is about God. None of this can be done on my own. I've been reading a lot of leadership books; but the interesting thing is a lot of these books seem to be saying that they are depending on themselves more than they are depending on God. Do this formula, or follow this pattern and presto chango and you have Instant Mega-Church. My pride tends to get the best of me.

II. Gluttony. Now I am trying to get in shape (Round is a shape, right??) but my struggle isn't just food. It would be simple if that was it; but it isn't. My struggle isn't really a food but a drink. It is an addiction. I admit it. And admitting is half the battle. You see I'm a Caffeine Addict. There I said it. I've really cut back though. I use to drink a 2 liter a day before 10am in the morning. Now it is just a bottle or a can a day. Mt. Dew Anon. might be good for me. Cutting cold turkey won't work. So it is a balance between my love of Mt. Dew and that of know other people struggle. I think sometimes "Preachers"(Pastors) point out the faults and sins of others because deep down they struggle with these issues of gluttony and yet never preach about that. They would rather preach against sexual sins than which that of which hits home.

III. Anger. Yeah, we all laugh at Adam Sandler in Anger Management but in some ways it is true. I need to regain my passion and love. I love ministry. I love my family. The problem is I put so much pressure and stress on myself. I want to do the best. Sometimes if I see injustice I fly off the handle. I love my family - and they see the best and worse of me and love me anyways. I just pray for patience. I've been doing better. One of the things though is having that righteous anger without losing it. I see so many people being taken advantage of, and well don't want the devil to get a foothold. I probably just need to find that outlet of being better with this.

So what are some struggles you are going through?

I'm so Thankful for the Grace of God and His forgiveness.

Top Ten Things to do for those Job Searching!

Chances are you know someone who has been seeking a job. Currently seeking a job, or will be seeking a job. So what is the Church's role and how can we as fellow Christians help one another?


Galatians 6:10 says "So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men,and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith."

So here are some helpful suggestions to those job seeking.

I. Pray for them. Pray that they get the job - that God would have them in. That they would be able to honor God and glorify Him in.

II. Help them with their Resume. Ask to see it. Give some critique to help them in revising their resume. Give them some Tips
Do a great cover letter. Some good insight
Remember your resume is getting your foot into the door ... don't just generalize it.

III. Help them identify their marketable and transferable skills. If they have leadership qualities, teaching abilities, management background - make sure that it is known.

IV. Know the type of job they want. Having a job for a job's sake - will only lead to you seeking another job in a short time. Know thyself and to thyself be true. Know your gifts, weaknesses and abilities. If you think you can sing but Simon Cowell would be scared of your songs ...it is best to know that now so someone honest tells you that you should not get a job in the Music Industry.

V. Networking. Help those job seeking get into a network. So often the next job you get isn't based on a cold call as much as who you know and the connections you have. Network off line; online etc. Use resources such as: Linkedin


VI. Get them Counseling. Not only career counseling but professional counseling as well. With job loss comes many emotions of sadness, loss of relationships, separation, feeling like a failure, unable to provide, questioning one's self etc. Make sure you have your head on straight and keep your eyes on God in this tough time.

VII. Get Training. Get more job skills, goto Job fairs, goto career seminars. The more you work on your job hunting skills and presentation the better.

VIII. Be aware of Scams.Many are out there


Including Federal ones


IX. Use many Online Resources and Search tools like: Manpower


Career Builder


Monster


Yahoo Jobs. Your local newspaper or Employment agency. Alot of HR firms are online and accepting online applications only. Find out what the key words are. Who got hired there. How they got hired etc. There are a lot of resources and articles online to help you out in the search.

X. Encourage. Don't be discouraged. Sometimes it is just writing a note and saying I'm praying for you. Asking how is the job search going? Letting the person know that you care. Being unemployed isn't any fun; but once that person finds employment - celebrate with them. (Let them take you out to eat ...j/k)

There is a lot of stress, pressure when one is on a new adventure and this includes employment. May we, as the Church, be a resource, to help those seeking employment - make the best one in which they serve as if Serving our Lord. Colossians 3:17 says:
"And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Powerful Words

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” Colossians 3:17
(NIV).

Words are powerful. I'm learning that more and more. A few years ago as I was
with a few of my fellow youth workers, we went indoor rock climbing. It came to me. I get paid to do this. I mean the indoor rock climbing was Free, the
company wanted us to try it out so that we might bring our groups there. They claim to be the “Biggest Indoor Rock Climbing Facility on the East
Coast.” I don't know how true that is; but it is quite a statement. So what does this have to do with words being powerful? Well, A lot
actually. The claim that this company made was like ok is it for real? It got me thinking how real do we make God to ourselves, to others?

I mean we go through the motions; say the words; or are we just playing a game of sorts. What we say makes an impact. And usually what we remember
is the negative too. When someone has hurt us; or we have hurt someone. When someone deals with issues like suicide; divorce; self-esteem and so
forth. We remember the words. We know the time, the date and so forth when tragedy strikes. For me it was my own father who died of a heart
attack. My minister, Terry Tanner, sharing with me that my father had died. That was decades ago; but I still remember.
I remember a co-worker of mine being murdered and going to his funeral; I remember losing loved ones; and thinking Why me God? I remember my own
sin; my own needs; yet God shaping me and molding me.

I remember and dwell too often on the bad rather than the good. I also remember the good times - becoming a Christian; leading someone to
Christ; my mentor; my ordination; my wedding; my daughter's birth. Yet through it all I recognize that words ...Yes, words are powerful. So often we say a picture paints a thousand words; but what does one word or even a thousand words say? Who we are? How we are? What we are doing?

In my office, as I look around now, I don't see many pictures but more words. Like scripture verses, posters, diplomas, books and so forth.
They reflect who I am. What I read and study makes up what I think and say and do. And as I'm writing this, I want myself, through my example, words
and all to be a living sermon. To reflect the God in me. That Christ is shining in me. It is not easy, nor does the forest that is in my own eye
easy to log out; but with God's grace I am getting there. So how powerful are your words? What are you doing today to make an impact? Me, I'm getting ready to go home and share a word or 2 with my own children.

What Would God say to Donald Trump?

I've always wondered about Donald Trump
and might have to do a sermon on What would God say to Donald Trump. I would love to have just 20 minutes with the Donald. Why? Not to discuss - money, power, and the such but about spirituality.

Trump brings controversy. He is so much a icon and a part of culture.

From Trump Versus Rosie


Trump Versus Vince.


to controversy in his pageants to his show: The Apprentice.

I actually enjoyed the Show
this season. One of the only shows I saw besides 24, and Heroes.

And of course the Recent Controversy


So what Tough Questions would you have for the Donald? What do you think God would say to him?

My Post-Youth Ministry Post

Article

Advice for those dealing w/ Teen Sexuality.

Was given this situation earlier this week in an email.

What to do if a student has been caught having sex?

1. Talk with the girl in question. Re-assure her. Encourage.
Give examples of redemption. Things such as second virginity.

2. If the ex-boyfriend attends might discuss with him as well
with male leader.

3. Cut out the gossip. Some how the gossip train needs to stop.

4. When talking with the girl - an either OR approach ... she
talks with her parents or you; or both together. I think the
best approach is to be there for her and include the parents in
on what is going on. Think if this was your child; would you
want to know?

5. Right now don't make a Special meeting on TEEN sexuality that
seems to be out of the Norm ...this will only embarrass the
student and might drive them further away ...discuss even about second
virginity having one. That if you messed up ..there is
redemption and forgiveness and grace extended.

6. Resources like Becoming a Young woman of God; and What Almost
Nobody will tell you about Sex by Youth Specialties dot com is good.

I would listen, empathize, pray and if any thing offer
counseling and any other resources for her and her family, parents etc.

Teens and Sex isn't an easy issue to deal with but one that needs to be addressed in how one views purity and how God views it. Most importantly pray! Lift God up in all things.

Other thoughts or advice?