Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

Here are some of my top Favourite Wrestlers: I. Chris Jericho - by far - Canadian, Hockey background, you either love him or hate him. II. Bret the Hitman Hart. III. Andre the Giant. IV. Roddy Roddy Piper V. Jesse the Body Ventura VI. Stone Cold Steve Austin. (the only guy to have given me the one finger salute and I laughed about it) VII. Randy Macho Man Savage. VIII.Rick Rude. (My Sister-in-law, Lori, would get so mad when I impersonated him and put down the British Bulldog and Hulk Hogan) IX. Kurt Angle. Got to meet him in person. X. Big John Stud. Got to shake his hand ...and even though was pictured as the Bad Guy ..meeting him was really cool. Other honorable mentions: Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. (Notice anyone missing? LOL - which ones would you have included?) I don't watch wrestling anymore but as a kid was a big fan.

Official News I like DCB ....before they were the DCB they were the UBC Band and had done a gig with CCYC - where I had heard a youth minister mention them to me. I have several of their CDs and will miss them. David Crowder Band - "Foreverandever Etc." from Steelehouse Productions on Vimeo . My favourite memories with DCB have to deal with the NYWC and how YS and Crowder worked well together .... ministering to youth leaders who needed ministering to. Thanks DCB.

Disclaimer: I got this book Free as a Preview for my E-reader (Nook) Anyways ... Lots of people have told me - You should write a book. I've thought about writing a book. I have had several friends write books: Len Evans, Marko, Adam M, Matt. M, Dan K, Tim M And I've been mentioned in a few books and quoted as such. I, even, am listed as an author on Youth Specialties' Website So I had much interest in reading this book. Mostly not due to me writing a book proposal but others and others concerning it. (My friend, Deanna) As I've been reading this book I thought of Tom Evans' much shorter version book called How to Write a Great Book and Get it Published. Anyways ...How to write a book proposal is a practical insight guide - must use guide for those wishing to get their ideas from paper to book form and published. In other words ...it is How to Get a book proposal for Dummies edition. The author goes through the basics of why write? Why you? Why the Propsal

What are you reading?

News . Here is my initial reaction: I. Camping did teach us that we need to be prepared. II. It points out the fact we need to be Ready, Faithful, and a Witness. III. No One knows when it it is going to happen - not Camping, not Tim LaHaye, not Sally Mae Fry from around the block. IV. Personally - I'm a Pan-millennialist with A-millennium tendencies. It also shows we need to teach more people about what the Word says about the End rather than what people say. It gives an opportunity to tell people ... what do you think of Camping? the world ending? What about God? An opportunity to actually be Jesus, show Jesus to others until He comes again. People have tried to predict the end. All I know is I, and my church family have alot of work to do as the Bride of Christ ...until the Groom comes.

Ever want to start over? Or think the "Christian walk" has become too cheesy, too complicated, too deliberate? Frank Viola writes on living from a renewed Christian Script. His writing is simplified and to the point. Sometimes too blunt but tells the truth. One of his chapters "Chapter 3" points out how people spiritualize their own answers to people's questions by rather than saying No ... say: "Let me pray about it" and never get back to the person. If you want a short pointed book which can make you think Viola's Revise Us Again is it. I've read several of Frank Viola's books (Which some I really struggled, wrestled, and contemplated with - Pagan Christianity was one) Disclaimer: I received this as part of SpeakEasy Frank Viola’s extensive website: http://ptmin.org Frank’s popular blog: http://frankviola.wordpress.com/

I had the chance to share what a church leader does for a living at Career Day 2011 at my children's public elementary school. (Which was surprising to some - and the second year I got to do this ...below is the powerpt I did) As a result my son even invited some of his friends to come to our church. The biggest thing was that I got to be Jesus' Hands and Feet to children that might not of otherwise known about Jesus. (Sure afterwards - which the kids didn't know ...I got to give them some lollipops) Yesterday I got a surprise from the whole class. Hand drawn thank you Notes from the teacher and the students. How cool is that? Definitely made my day. What would you have done for Career Day? Surprised that a church leader was allowed to present in a public school? Or think it is a good thing and gives Hope? Thoughts?

So we're in the midst of possibly looking for our next staff member Here are some sites to look at and to post at. Especially for those in the Restoration Movement - Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ - instrumental. 1. Christian Church Search 2. Christian Church today 3. Christian Standard 4. Crosslink 5.Schools such as: Milligan MACU JU CCU LCU OCC and other schools like FCC, KCU, ACC, St.Louis etc. 6. Ministry Source 7. Church jobs 8. Pastor Finder 9. Church Staffing 10. Church Staff Search 11. Ministry Search 12. WCA 13. Pastor Positions 14. Finding our place - DOC 15 - youth positions: Youth Pastor YS Job Bank 16. Others such as: http://www.churchjobs.net http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-youth+ministry http://www.ministryjobs.com http://www.youthpastorjobs.net http://www.christianjobs1.net/jobs/list ... outh1.html Any others you would add?

Article My friend, Tim, got to shine light on a car design he did and most importantly on a rather lesser known disease that some children are fighting against. Here is the video ....

This week I'm finishing sixteen years as an ordained minister - about to enter my 17th year. Here are sixteen things I've learned: I. Love God. I mean it - show more love to God. II. Pray more. Prayer is powerful. III. Choose your battles wisely. Somehow that fight over that minor issues seems of little importance now. IV. Spend more time with family. Family is important. Protect them. V. Spend more time in the Word. There is value in God's Word. VI. Don't read too much or take away too little from the Bible. VII. Opinions are much like cows - they are everywhere. And everyone seems to got one or want one. VIII. Be a life long learner. Read more. IX. Have a coach, mentor, peers in which you can share life together. Pray with one another. Nothing says Kingdom Work than a fellow Church Leader who lets you know "You are not alone." X. Memorize more scripture. There is value in knowing the Word. XI. Don't make your teaching so complex th

Grand Rounds has started at the new Hospital. (6mths old). So on Thursdays during the month of May about 20 Church leaders take a tour and hear from speakers from the new medical center. It has been an exciting adventure. I had been through it before in 2006 with the old Washington County Hospital but felt this was a fresh and new perspective with the new facility and knowing the behind the scenes work. Today I got to see the OR, Women's Center, and Cath lab. It has been an adventure to say the least.

With Bible Illiteracy at an all time high; ( One Source ) its no wonder we've downplayed, marketed and topicified the Bible to death. From things such as "Ten Easy Steps to dealing with divorce, sin, and Republican Jesus" it borders on ridiculous. We brand, the Bible, as an easy answer book rather than being about the Word of God. We have it have pat answers rather than the real answer. It points to God. It is a pursuit, not a one time thing. The scarey thing is people thing they know what the Bible says; but it doesn't really say that. Sermons run in 6 week series topics rather than expository sermons. We need to be people in the Word, and people of the Word. It is ok to have topical sermons but if that is all you are preaching ... I question it. The latest gimmick and "Mega-pastor" sermons online are not the fix. Have a plan. I have my own sermon series planned for the year. From what books I'll be preaching on to topics (Which can change thoug

I've been married for over 14 years now and here is 14 things I've learned in those fourteen years. 1. It is all about love. 2. There will be change. 3. People change. 4. Choose wisely your battles. 5. Dealing with death is never easy. 6. Parenthood is an adventure. 7. Family is important. 8. Soul care is important. 9. Be careful who you trust. 10. Words are powerful and can hurt. 11. Encouragement goes a long ways. 12. More prayer is needed. 13. Don't burn any bridges. 14. Live each day as if it is your last.

The audacity of a question ... a "Christian" telemarketer wanted to know where a former staff person was ... I almost said "Oh, they're no longer in ministry ..." but I didn't. I didn't really respond other than "They are no longer here .." Fact is there is no such thing as no longer serving in ministry. If we're Christians, and working - whether in a paid "position" or not ...we're all doing ministry. In fact the Bible seems to support that of the priesthood of all believers, and we're all to be doing ministry. Some of us just get the double portion of getting to teach and preach and being a worker worthy of this honor. Ministry has its UPs and DOWNs. It is not meant for sissies. You have to have tough skin ... It is probably the toughest job you'll ever love. You get to see people at their best; and people at their worse. You get to see the joys, tears, fears, and share in life together. Some of my best moments

HT to Marko

Our VBS Website is live ...if you wish to visit ...it can be found Here

Apparently a group of "Christians" think so. Here is an amusing Interview thoughts? Got anything going on May 21st? News story

Ht to Derek Tang.

Saw this article and thought to share: Don't attend If you do attend, arrive later, leave early. At every service ask yourself "what did I get out of this?" Never volunteer for anything. Let the minister do it all. Gossip. Be critical of the church leaders and the musicians. Don't give, or wait until the end of the tax year to see if you have any extra money. Don't talk with others or encourage them. Don't forgive when someone offends you. Avoid praying for your church. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control against such things is no law ... if we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25.

The last few days have been a world wind of adventure. I went to our camp's Men's Retreat and got to hear an Allegience Quartet. Art Bush, JD Seagroves, Chuck S. and Jerry Timbrook sing. Then hear about what it meant to be pursuing Jesus ... a good time. Sunday we had a great service. Praying for people; and for them to be Jesus' hands and feet to the world. We had one family that just wanted to have us pray for them. That evening ... my family had the chance with other church leaders in the area to have dinner and just sit and listen to Ben Merold and Tom Ellsworth. Funny thing was the Question and Answer session focused on how their wives views ministry and was encouraging to the wives that were there. (Mine included). It seemed like only minutes passed by and we noticed it was hours ...a good time. On Monday (of course we heard the news about Osama with mixed reaction ... ) Had 4 great sessions on the Dangerous Church on Churches, Leadership, Choices and Call