An Interesting Sign!!

Though photoshopped .... it still proves to be amusing ...

HT to my friend, Lonny.

Preparing for Irene!

How to prepare for a Hurricane:

1. Don't panic
2. Be prepared - Just like the boy scouts.
3. Don't panic.
4. Pray lots.
5. don't panic.
6. Ask one of your friends on facebook whose other profession is weatherperson (or they think it is) .
7. don't panic.
8. Pray lots more
9. Follow what the TV, local authorities tell you.
10. Pick up a Few things for emergency's sake at your local store - though WARNING - Walmart might just be packed.
11. Pray for those in its path and already affected.

Current Sermon Series: The Gospel of Luke

Currently we're in the midst of going through the gospel of Luke for our Fall series.

We are investigating....

I. Who is Jesus?

II. Why should I follow Jesus?

III. As a result of following Him; what should I be doing ....?

Great series. I just finished Luke 3. This Sunday is on Luke 4.

Books I'm reading: Not a Fan!!

Just started to read this book ...after I had seen several of my friends reading it. Should be good.

Tracks of a Fellow Struggler - A Review.

This little gem of a book was recommended to me as I was struggling to do a funeral of a young person recently. This short but meaningful resource gives basically 4 points.

1. The Basis of our Hope

2. Strength not to Faint.

3. Life is a Gift (Probably one of the best chapters that I appreciated and helped me in ministering to others)

4. Learning to Handle Grief. (This is probably one of the hardest things to learn and to do ...we can listen but empathy isn't what one should do)

The author is one from ministry and how he handled the loss of his own 8 yr old daughter years ago. First printed in 1974 and revised - I think this gem should be in every Church Leaders' library. Wish someone had recommended it to me sooner. Thanks to my friend, Jim D. for the recommendation.

Real Life Discipleship - Jim Putman - A review

"Unlike a lot of “How-to” books, Real-Life Discipleship takes the general ideas and breaks them down to help one learn the basics of the system that works - a system that worked for over 2 millennia ever since Christ taught it to His own disciples. Another useful thing about this book is the appendixes that have graphs and tables that help to identify the stages of faith the people are in right now to then help us address their needs more efficiently.

Real-Life Discipleship is a good book not only for ministers or those who are “leaders” in our standard understanding. It is also a good manual for the rest of us who are “people attending the Church.” Every Christian is a missionary with a mission - to share the Gospel with those God sends our way." This from one reviewer that I read.

As I read the book, I'm thinking I can't wait to discuss and see how can implement in the context of the ministry I'm serving. It comes with the book and the Training manual. One of my leaders suggested I get a copy for all the leaders I meet with. I think it would be good for discussion. Next month in my local network of church leaders (Our meeting is called Fusion) we're meeting to discuss the book and each have to review the book and assigned a chapter.

My own review ... I recommend this book for any church leader, current or future leader - and wish I had this resource when I was in Bible College and Seminary.

Honest Facebook Notifications?

A Dream Comes True!!

It all started as a conversation on the ole YS listserv and then forums - it went to a meeting in Chicago with a handful of youth workers to discuss what they can do to help "Hurting" youthworkers in the trenches. From there several of the moderators of the YS Forums and the members of the ole listserv and those from YS had a heart for those youth workers that were hurt by ministry while in the trenches. As the YS forums transitioned to YMX (and another called area called Raising Lazarus) - there was still this idea of how can we help those youthworkers being beat up by the church, and yet how we can support and encourage those youthworkers and the church to be Jesus to others?

And so YS(NYWC) and Simply Youth Ministry had soul care aspects of their youth ministry conventions - which was fine for a few days but what about the rest of the year?

My friend, Len Evans, shares the new adventure Here
and along with great people like Patti


Here is the


Here is the Simply Soul Care Site


Now Len might not be a Big Room speaker but He definitely has a Big Heart for those in the trenches of youth ministry and a Big heart for God.

It all started with a few people .... and some who been praying for years for something to happen ... and finally it has with a Great Leader.

Everything I learned about Ministry I learned from Hockey!

1. There is only One Great One!
2. When there is conflict; there will always be a referee
3. Fighting can and will occur often even in the church.
4. Change will come quickly and you may not like it.
5. You get to score ever now and then
6. No one likes a tie game
7. Sudden death either excites you or sends fear!
8. No one team is exactly alike
9. Firing is never easy
10. There will be times of low attendance

Love in Action!

1 John 3:18 "Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (NIV)

Here are some things we can do to put Christ like love into action.

1. Speak to people.

2. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown, 14 to smile.

3. Call people by name. The sweetest sound is one's own name.

4. Be friendly and helpful. If you want friends (Not just Facebook friends), be a friend.

5. Be cordial.

6. Be genuinely interested in people. Just try it and you can like almost anyone.

7. Be generous with praise.

8. Be considerate of others.

9. Have a good sense of humour, and loads of patience.

10. Pray earnestly for each other.

I'm reminded of an ole saying that "Character is what we are when no one else is around."

An Open Letter to those that trust Politics to Save ...

1 Thess. 1:1-3 reminds us who our hope is in. It is in Jesus.

To trust in some politician because he said a prayer.
http://www.blogger.com/posts.g?blogID=4121620
Or to think some politician is all that ...

Or to bring back America to what some think are the good ole days ... (I've always wonder what year and date were those days?)

Here's some news: Politicians don't Save. They won't save. They shouldn't save. The government you cannot put your trust.

We can play the "what if ...." game all you want but the fact of the matter is only ONE PERSON gives us Hope, Trust and who We should trust.

The whole Democrat versus Republican is getting old. It is like I'm watching a Middle School fight. "Oh, yeah well my political party can beat up your political party" "Oh, yeah but my political party is more 'Christian' than your political party."

And thus people choose sides and get lost in all the rhetoric.

And then there are even those that equate America as being the "chosen nation" on the same page as the Church. (Now hear me out i'm as patriotic as the next guy but this goes too far) The Church is the Bride of Christ. The church is for WHOM Jesus died for. There is a difference between the freedom we have in Christ and the freedoms (which we shouldn't take for granted) given to us as citizens. (Ultimately our citizenship is in heaven)

So what is the solution?

1. Know WHO is your Hope.

2. Let's quite playing the political games.

3. Let's keep the Main thing - the main thing: Jesus. Politics aside - the Church has a lot of work to do.

4. Let's pray for our leaders.

5. Let's be discerning. I've been known to have a debate or 2 and offend. Maybe show love for each other.

6. Love one another ...especially your enemies ...

7. Quit dwelling on the past ...live in the present strive for the future. (come Lord Jesus, come)

8. Love God and love others. (see #6)

Won't you pray for every one?

Giving a Pounding

THE POUNDING — This custom dates back to pioneer days, and was practiced widely. I don't know its origins, but it's something we should continue today.

When a couple got married and set up housekeeping, it was customary to have a "pounding party". This meant that each guest brought a pound of something: flour, salt, butter — whatever was needed to stock a house — in order to give their friends a good start on their new life.

I had this done when Valerie and I first got married. The Church helped give us a "Pounding."

When we first started a new ministry we have had several ministries help stock us up for food as we moved.

I wonder if churches still do this?

How to Fix Anything . . .

Ego or Pride?

It is so easy to have an ego or let pride get the best of you in ministry. In a recent sermon I recalled a story of how a church let go another youth worker after a few months. A person pointed out "Be careful, you don't know both sides of the story." Which of course is true. (And BTW how many of you get that in the middle of your sermons?) To which I replied: "There is always "His side, their side, and somewhere between the 2 lies the truth." The point was basically we need to take care of the Church's leaders. Not because they know it all.(Because they don't- trust me) Nor because of their ego or pride ...but because of Who they serve. And not that they are treated like a hireling ..but as God's people would like to be treated.

Let's not fall into the trap of abuse or letting our church leader's ego get big but the church to:

1. Take care of your leaders. Love on them. Encourage them.

Here is a list of things you can do for your church leader if you need ideas
(Minister appreciation is in October so start planning now)

2. Pray for your leaders. Pray that they do the right thing.

3. Let there be accountability for your leaders. Not be a "One man show" (I just saw where a church was torn apart by a one man show in PA and now the church is looking for another preacher yet again ...)

4. Use discernment. If there is a disagreement use Matt. 18 as a principle. If you have to let someone go - do so with grace, mercy, and forgiveness in the best way possible.

5. If someone has a Pride issue - gently restore them.

I told the church I'm so busy lumbering out the forest in my own eye that I don't have time for the specks in others. what about you? Pride and Ego problem?

What are your Baptismal Procedures?

I got asked this question the other day.

Basically in a nutshell:

have resources and ask the person about what, why, where, how, when of Baptism. We talk about salvation ... that of head knowledge to heart knowledge. that God saved us by Grace .... through Faith (putting your trust in Him), Repenting (A change in mind that leads to a change in action), confessing Jesus as Lord. (We usually recite Peter's confession from Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”) and Baptizing them (Matt. 28:19-20) by Immersing them in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6 and Acts 2:38) unto Good Works.

As adults, we look at the various scriptures. Some simply state I know I need Jesus and to follow what He says ...so I need to be baptized. With children we have a little fill in the blanks, take home study to which I do with discussing with them and their parents.

Baptism is a BIG THING. It is a celebration. Unfortunately not all parents agree with it or understand it. I've had only one time where I regret baptizing a young teen without the parent's input. Lesson learned.

What lessons have you learned with doing an important thing such as a Baptism? Any regrets or misunderstandings that could of been avoided? (I remember baptizing a young man when the water heater over cooked the water --fastest baptism ever ... and apologizing ...)

The Heresy of Imperfectionism.

I spoke about the heresy of perfectionism ... but there is one at the opposite end called Imperfectionism.

Why is this a heresy?

1. It downplays the atonement and grace as well. Romans 6:1-2. Shall we continue on sin that grace may abound?

2. It doesn't help us be transformed but we stay the same. Romans 12:2 tells us that we are to be no longer conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed.

3. As Phil 3 reminds us we are to strive on the journey.

4. It downplays the part of the Holy Spirit's role. Galatians 5.

5. It doesn't help with the restoring process. Galatians 6:1 says "those who are spiritual should restore the one caught in sin."

6. It downplays the role of the Shepherd/ Elder - who am I to be telling people what to do?

7. It takes out of context the verse "Judge not ..." and has perconceived notions.

We, as Christians, aren't perfect. We are forgiven and on the journey. To remain "Imperfect" and in our own "state of Sinfulness" is to downplay Grace, God's love and atonement. We, that were imperfect sinners, are made whole by a perfect God that we may be seen Perfect on that DAY.

I like this song by Church of Rhythm called "Not Perfect"



May we may not be seen just as not imperfect, but I like how the late Mike Yaconelli phrases it - instead of "imperfect" Christians - it is messy. Why? Because life is messy. We're on this journey together and it can be joyful, hard, tearful, confusing. messy ...serving the perfect God that we are trying to be His Hands and feet to the World.

The Heresy of Perfectionism

Info

Another Source


There is a Heresy out there called Perfectionism. What is it? Basically in a nutshell it says After you receive Christ and have the Holy Spirit - you can be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect and thus without sin. There are several issues with this ....

1. It can downplay the atonement.

2. Pride comes in.

3. It is contrary to scripture.

4. I'd like to see that "Perfect Christian" and then ask their spouse.

Yet there are people claiming self-righteously so - that they can be perfect.

It seems to me that Paul's letter in Phil. 3:12-21 that the Christian walk is that of a journey and sanctification is a process.

Paul does call upon his readers to “follow his example,” but he does not do so claiming to have already arrived. Paul calls upon us to “follow his example” in striving toward the goal of maturity in Christ ... thus we need to also.

Does God change His Mind?

In a discussion on an online forum the question was posed (Most specifically from Exodus 32:14) And here was the Answer I liked:

"The Scriptures that are interpreted as God seeming to change His mind are human attempts to explain the actions of God. God was going to do something, but instead did something else. To us, that sounds like a change. But to God, who is omniscient and sovereign, it is not a change. God always knew what He was going to do. God does what He needs to do to cause humanity to fulfill His perfect plan. “…declaring the end from the beginning, and from the past things which were not done, saying, My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure … What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do” (Isaiah 46:10-11). God threatened Nineveh with destruction, knowing that it would cause Nineveh to repent. God threatened Israel with destruction, knowing that Moses would intercede. God does not regret His decisions, but He is saddened by some of what man sometimes does in response to His decisions. God does not change His mind but rather acts consistently with His Word in response to our actions.

Malachi 3:6 declares, “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Similarly, James 1:17 tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

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Other information to consider