Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

HT to my friend, Michelle. Be careful of pictures - predators can determine where you took the pic 10 Things You should not be posting online Also with the recent Cyber bullying case of a 11yr old Article Now with all the news. Here is what concerns me: 1. Parents know what your kids do online. 2. Parents be responsible. (Umm to let your 11yr old do that and the father's reaction wasn't the best way to react) 3. Have time limits. 4. Use the Golden Rule. Treat others as you would like to be treated. 5. Think before you post. (See #4) 6. Nothing is private online. Be as authentic online as you would offline. 7. What you post online is your future resume. (And present one too) 8. Have fun, but not at anyone's expense. In all things - be the hands and feet of Jesus even online. 9. Get offline. Form relationships offline. I think sometimes the best cyberbullying policy - is sometimes to not be on the internet highway all the time.

This book I just picked up this week. Looks interesting. It is on my reading list along with the book (updated) Wild at Heart. I'll do reviews when I can. What are you currently reading?

The Walk . From the title - I'm sure you are thinking 2 things  and I can assure you that neither have to do with this book. No this isn't about Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" nor the song with the lyrics "And I would walk ten thousand miles and I would walk ten thousand more ..." Though both are good analogies about what "The Walk" is about. You see the "Walk" is an adventure, journey, story, about one couple's journey of walking the Appalachian Trail and how it came to affect their literal walk of faith, life, and reflections on the Christian Walk as well. Randy Motz and his wife, Georgia Harris aka "Windtalker and Mom" tell the story of their thru hike of the A.T. and its almost 2200 mile journey along the East Coast of the United States.  This book will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own mistakes, and how one can better relate to their one faith journey of life. Randy shares so much of himself and his wif

So last week, the family and I got away. A family in our congregation owns a cabin and wanted us to use it sometime. They been wanting us to use it the past 2yrs - so we took them up on the offer - and went last week. We left Monday and returned Friday. We had lots of fun. Here is insight to what we did: Monday Arrived. Tuesday - We went to Sunnyside Wools to see llama, sheep, goats. We had even went to visit Bear Creek Restaurant. Wednesday - We went to the Discovery Station and exploring the Deep Creek area including the Popcorn Factory, and some small stores in the area. As well as visited a Farmers' Market with Candyland (Over 700 types of Candy in the store which my kids loved) That evening we went to the local Deep Creek Lake State Park for a Big Bonfire and Storytelling - with people dressed up as a cros, buffalo, deer and bear and telling stories.  We also hiked some. To an old mine. Thursday was the Big day. We went to Swallow Falls and later swam at Herr

I just finished reading this book over vacation. A great book on the practical aspect of leading as church leaders and the problems you will face. Not that you might face, or you could face, but you will face. The author points out several area - some which hit home for me. Such as resolving my own mistakes. Coping with loneliness, dealing with criticism, and leading a significant change. Those were just some of the 15 chapters. Understanding Significant Change is one that I'm currently dealing with and the questions asked were good ones. From page 225 1. If we fulfill the Great Commission in our community what would it look like? (Something we're currently asking) 2. If another fifty, on hundred or one thousand people joined our church, what would have to change to meet their needs? 3. When we celebrate our anniversary, what accomplishments you dream our organization will celebrate that day? (We just passed 25yrs) 4.Suppose our church didn't exist. You were given the

Information Thanks to my friend, Doug. I'm wanting so bad to see the All-Star Game. Should be a good one. I've been to an NHL Draft, been to a NHL Stanley Cup playoffs game, and even the Finals,  and been to the Hall of Fame. So what's left? All-Star Game - that and of course the Leafs winning the Cup in my lifetime.

People like to make Excuses. Excuses for anything. Especially for the Christian life and coming to the Worship Services. Things like: 1. It is too hard. 2. Sunday is my day to sleep in (Umm there is this great invention its call the Sunday Afternoon nap, and who sleeps in to 10am?) 3. The Church services is boring. (Ever been to ours? It is far from boring - we're very much a low church congregation - laid back) 4. It is too hot. (WE have AC) 5. I don't know anyone. (You can come and meet new friends) 6. I don't like to dress up. (You don't have to - just wear clothes is all we ask) 7. There are too many hyprocrites there. (There is always room for one more - you're welcome too) 8. I don't know how to get there. (There is this wonderful invention called the Internet and Google maps ...) 9. I can worship at home by myself or just watch TV and watch those guys. (You can but do you? There is nothing like being around others

Top Ten Things you can do on Youthworker Appreciation Day!  or during Church Leader Appreciation month in October: (1 Wrote this in 2008)  Sept 6th was  YouthWorker Appreciation Day. Here are some things you can do: 1. Write an encouraging note to a fellow youthworker. 2. Send him or her a free subscription to the Journal of Student Ministries. 3. Offer to buy them some resources for their own personal library. (Goto the Christian bookstore to do this today) 4. Give them a gift card to their favorite place. (Tickets to sporting events works too) 5. Offer to babysit their kids. 6. Buy that ever so important office knickknack for their office or home. 7. Have all the students sign a banner or card telling them how important they are to the ministry at the church. 8. FREE Food. 9. Ask what they may need. Get involved in their lives. Share your story and how important and valued they are to you. 10. Write on others' blogs on what you did. (Even tell Marko)

Originally From Adam's blog . I was a Guest blogger there in 2007. Sure ministry is hard, especially youth ministry. So what are some ways to go beyond being just mediocre? Here are some suggestions that I have learned from the school of hard knocks; or otherwise the hard way. I. Get your Senior Pastor on your side. In my first ministry it was: “You do your job; I’ll do mine and we’ll both be fine.” In other ministries it was: “I’m here to be your Boss.” In my current ministry, it is “we are co-workers in the Kingdom, let’s work together.” II.Get the parents involved. After all youth ministry should be more supportive of parents. In our post-youth ministry era the number one influence is the students’ parents. (Not the youth worker). I have learned this lesson the hard way and am skeptical at times when a special meeting is called to meet with the Youth Pastor. (Because of past experiences of these turning into a blame game; but currently when one is called it is how ca

1. Know the purpose of it. 2. Know what you are going to include on it. 3. Start simple - maybe start with doing a blog as a site first things like blogger, yahoo, and that are helpful. 4. Have some online policies. Copyright, does and don't. What to include and not. 5. Know what software you are going to use. I recommend either knowing HTML or Frontpage. 6. Get a webmaster and others to contribute to it. 7. Get as many involved with it. 8. Keep it simple. Too much flash distracts. 9. Keep it updated. Nothing like seeing a website that hasn't been updated in months let alone years. 10. Have Fun ...use it as a tool not THE TOOL but "a" tool to promoting your ministry. Using other social media can be helpful too! I wrote the above in 2006.

"They like Jesus, but Not the Church." (From 2005) I've heard Dan Kimball mention this concept a few times. (In fact he wrote a book by that title for Zondervan) I'm just wondering though How hard it is to separate the two? Isn't the church suppose to point people to well ... Jesus. Isn't the church suppose to be the Bride of Christ? And that Jesus loved and died for the church. I wonder why there is this cynical, bitter, idea of the church? Perhaps it is because the church has been abused, misused, and perception of her promoting people's agendas, rather than God's? Think Donald Miller's Confession Booth Maybe that is why I'm leary of promoting the church and youth ministries as flagships or that we have all the answers even to questions such as: "Would you like to know God personally?" (AS if we know everything there is to know about God) A balancing of the Faith, facts, and feelings. Faith is a jo

Youth Ministry is much like Potty Training. There are many methods to it; but not one model guarantees success. Everyone tells you how to do it, even if they never done it themselves before. When you first don't succeed, try again. It takes time and patience. Using Pull-ups or having a backup plan is a good idea. Accidents will happen. Even if one thinks you got it under control; you always have to start over at square one with the next child. Cleaning up messes keeps one humble and is a learning experience. Wearing your Superhero Underwear sometimes makes you look and feel special. Encouragement and questions are a good thing. Looking at other successes of training is helpful; but ultimately it is in God's timing. Be Faithful; persistence pays off. The longer you are at it; the better you will get. Remember it is one of life's journeys; and this too shall pass, treasure the moments. Just when you think you have it mastered, someone else will come out with a new met

“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,  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

I've been blogging here for over 7years - so in the next week I'm going to feature a Daily blog post from the past years. Monday will be 2003, Tuesday 2004 and so forth. Series concludes July 25 with 2009. Enjoy!!

So the Y is changing its name. Story here Fact is - it left being the Young Men's Christian Association - long ago. The Y lately never had been a parachurch organization, nor a "Church" organization. Rather it is a fitness center focusing on youth. It left its spiritual aspect long ago. It might have some of the social, health, and youth but what makes it different than any other organization? Nothing. Fact is "Institutions" can't be Christian. Sorry they can't. Only the people that make up those institutions can. Thus things like Christian nations, Christian buildings, Christian colleges etc. are just things. The thing that makes something Christian is the people. There can be organizations and institutions that base their principles from the Bible and might be Christian in nature. Thus semantics when clarified as a "Christian" college. The only thing that upsets me about the Y changing its name is what about the YMCA song now? Guess they

Dedication seems to be in the dictionary; but the word Rededication is not.  The word "dedication" appears 15x in the Bible. Once in the New Testament (1 Timothy 5:11). So if we are people of the book, why is there such a thing as Re-dedication? And what is it? Well, when one is devoted to Christ, it means they want to follow Him with all their heart, soul, and mind. (See Mark 12:28-34) There are times in our lives, when we are not always following Christ and want to get back to Him. Usually these follow some Mountain Top experiences like Conferences, camps etc. (Key is after these events is follow-up so it isn't just an emotional response. Nothing like a bunch of "teens" being emotional after a week of Camp, yet a week later - no change.). James 5:19-20 says: " My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cov

I. Rest - take time to get your rest, and relax. II. Read. Read the Word. III. Resolution. Resolve to do what is Right. IV. Record. Record what God is doing daily in your life. V. Reflect. Reflect on the good times. God gave reminders to the people of Israel as a time to look back as one steps forward. VI. React. Reaction to what God is doing, or in the midst of struggles - helps one be a doer of the Word, and not merely a hearer only.

Jim was a good man. I remember him from all my visits at the Washington County Hospital. They put black ribbon on the booth. (Still there today) - Strange is the ribbon is from Sharon and Ozzy's renewing of their vowes. (How does one get a hold of something like that?)  Jim was a character. Loved by his family and the guys who worked parking, and security. Prayers go out to his family.

Tell me what you think? Let’s Go To Church. Written by Gerrard Fess Copyright 2010 Inspired by pi kids publications international, ltd. Let’s Go Series. (Airport, school, haircut, overnite adventure, bike riding, library, hospital, fire station, dentist, zoo) Hi! My name is Roy. I work with a church. Would you like to go to church today? A church building is a building where people gather to worship God. The people who gather or assembly together or called Christians or the “Church.” We have many ways to learn and teach people about God. There are many types of church buildings – some cathedrals, some are in storefronts, others meet in movie theaters. As one comes upon the church building, you may see ushers pointing people where to park. There are also greeters to help you find your way around the facility. The greeters are usually at the front doors to point you to any visitors’ information, and when the service is to start. As you enter a church building – there i

I recently heard a talk show radio host talk about the OT and the Sins of the Fathers applied to the sons. And how this seems to be current of the political realm. That the "sins" (Whatever they are?) of the current politicians seems to be reflecting that of the next generation. (Whether this is true or not remains to be seen). The biggest issue is not whether or not what political party you support but the mixing up "Theology" to fit your political attacks. If you are against someone's politics - please attack the issues and don't scripture twist to fit your agenda - whether you are liberal, conservative, or otherwise. When it comes to Scripture - there are a few rules one has to ask. I. What is the purpose? II. What is the context? III. What is the application? (Interesting enough the whole fathers' sins to the sons - so what does that do with Jesus' atonement and covering all sin?? Seems to be a redeeming quality if one follows Jesus

1. Never Send just an email. 2. Never just leave a note on someone's desk hoping they'll notice it! 3. Don't just goto others with the issue - goto the person you have the issue with. 4. Gossip hurts. 5. Don't just complain - offer some viable solutions. 6. Pray. 7. Don't expect a solution overnite! 8. Be patient (see #7) 9. Do All things in love. 10. Be available to be part of the solution. (see #5)

Selling Jesus by the Pound 's article says alot. (HT to Doug for the article) One of the things I would say let's not get focus so much on the junk that distracts us from well, Jesus. Things cannot be Christian. One people can. We debate things like what is the best Christian music, T-shirts, programs etc. Whether or not ... we're a "Christian" nation and meanwhile people are going to hell.  The most important thing is keeping the main thing, well, the main thing. Focus on Jesus. Love God and love others .... not whether or not your bandages have Jesus on them or not?

John concludes His Gospel by letting us know we can be tranformed by Jesus by: I. The power of the Resurrection II. The power to serve Jesus.