Top 10 Things I've Learned from Government!

I. Everyone is an expert. People like to talk like they know to run things.

II. Everyone likes to talk about government. Politics comes easy to talk about; especially at the water cooler.

III. There are winners and losers. Someone's feelings will be hurt, and others will bask in the glory of their "winner."

IV. There are always great analogies for government. A business, a sporting game, entertainment.

V. Government has a cost. It takes a lot of money to run government.

VI. It usually takes more than one person to get something done. (Think Highway workers and just one person working while 5 watching him work)

VII. There is always Bias. Whether media, editorials, radio. There is always a bias. No one is exempt from bias.

VIII. It usually takes time to go through all the rules, policies, procedures, (all the motions) to get something done. (See #6)

IX. We need LEADERS!!! Often the Real leaders are those working behind the scenes and not seeking the front person position.

X. God established our leaders. Romans 13:1-7.

The more I look at the above list the more I see it isn't just for any one government or politics but can be applied to business politics, school, campus, church and our local, state, (provincial) and national governments as well.

Ht to Robert H

When Prayer Requests Get into Gossip Sessions

So Recently
a prayer request (Email @ that) had made itself into the media field. (Sure the preacher is famous and such and has a big church, but does it make it right that someone possibly in their concern ... and in praying leaked this to the media?)

I'm just wondering where we as God's people draw the line?

We are to be truthful. We are to pray for one another. But the main thing Prayer is private. There are certain issues "We" just don't need to know. (Fact I'm already sick of hearing about Madonna's divorce and how the media spin it)

I think we need to be careful how we tell others about prayer requests and how we present them. (There are just some people that want to be prayed for all the time and the attention on them and not on that the Holy Spirit is groaning on our behalf)

I think it is good to ask yourself several questions when passing on a prayer requests or adding it to some prayer list.

Here are some questions I need to ask:

1. Do others need to be praying for this?
2. Will I break some confidentiality if I tell others?
3. Would it be easier to be brief and not state everything about the request?
4. How is my own prayer life, and have I, myself prayed for this situation?
5. Is this gossip, or is it sincere concern?
6. Am I being above reproach in presenting this?
7. Would it be easier to be "General" rather than specific in my request?
8. Should this be in another media form to prayer for? Email, prayer chain, etc. Or was was this just an individual requests?
9. Am I making this to be a "show" or am I praying as Jesus gave an example of in his sermon on the Mt?
10. If this "request" was someone I loved, would I want the whole world to know or keep it private?

Other questions?

How do you keep your prayer sessions with students and adults from being gossip sessions? where is the line?

Loving your Enemies isn't Easy!!

Loving your enemies isn't easy. Jesus tells us to love God and love others.

Sometimes its hard.

Sometimes it is almost next to impossible.

In fact love that person that doesn't even love you.

Love the person that you would think is "Ugly" towards you.

In our own online, cyber, anon-posting, cyber-bullying ways ...let's even love that person.

Jesus tells us to love one another. They will know we are Christians by our love. Forgiveness, mercy, grace is never easy. Do good to even those that hate you is like heaping hot coals on their head as Romans tells us.

Sure, people need to take responsibility for their actions. Sure, we'd like to see justice done. Ultimately though it comes from God.

Too often we are quick to judge, quick to react, and slow to listen.

I've typed many a post, email, message in which I wish I could take back.

Many a word I've said that I've wished I'd never said at all.

Words are powerful! Words hurt! Words carry wounds. Words haunt. But so does building up, encouraging, equipping, and letting others encourage you.

Before you post: THINK!

Even if someone writes something about you, your family, others ...forgive. Not an easy thing. Let Jesus be your example!!!

What I have learned from stress?

So what have we learned from stress?


Here is what I have learned from stress ... especially as one in ministry.

1. Everyone will have stress in their lives.

2. It is how one responds to stress that makes them either better people or to more stressed.

3. Usually if one views stress as a learning experience and have ways to respond to it - it can make one a better person.

4. If one chooses to dwell on their stress and doesn't take steps to reduce it - they can end up in a worse position than they had when the issue began.

So let's look at ways to reduce Stress:

A. Have an outlet -someone that will listen, not critique but listen and just be a friend.
B. Play a sport or have an outlet like a quiet place to scream and let out your stress - I find that if my issue is some leader - I just pretend they are the bowling pins - and boy does my bowling go great. Finding that outlet and friend that listens isn't easy.
C. Have a mentor that will listen and help you take steps to get less stress in your life - perhaps it is getting away from that High Maintaining person. "Baby steps" (Think the movie "What about Bob?"
D. Get the help you need - perhaps talking to a professional counselor, or other person to get the mental, social, physical, spiritual help you need to be less stressed. Being in good health helps support your family.
E. Know You Are not alone. Everyone has stress. Someone has been there. There is empathy and ultimately God is in control!!!
F. Pray, pray, pray. Giving it up to God and letting him carry your burdens!!!

If you don't address the stress in your life - it can eat away at you and leave you a bitter, cynical, and negative person. (Trust me I know)

Ministry can be and is very stressful ...but it is how one addresses and handles it that makes them a better person. Have a good one!!

Letter to a Former Ministry.

Rough Draft of letter I sent to my last ministry - heard they will be celebrating 40yrs the end of this month.

Dear Church Family,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:3 says “I thank my God every time I remember you.” I take that verse to heart when I remember the fine people at Cary Christian Church. Valerie, the children, and I would like to send our greetings and congratulations on your 40th Celebration of the Church.

We think of the people there as family. We had a GREAT 5 year ministry there in which it caused me to grow, stretch, and to be challenged. As the youth & family minister there – it has helped me on the journey which God has called. Our children, Kendra, Nicole and Brian grew up at Cary from Infants to now starting in elementary school. Valerie and I bought our first home while there. You celebrated in our joys and were there in the heartaches too of Valerie losing her dad to a brain tumor.

When we think of Cary Christian – we think of Jesus. God’s blessings on you on your 40th and may you be Found Faithful until our Lord comes again.

Serving Jesus,

Gerrard R. Fess
Former Staff of Cary 2003-08.

Top Ten Things you can do on Youthworker Appreciation Day!

Today: Sept 6th is 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
Make it a surprise and dream Big!

Our youthworkers love God and love those students. Let's show them that We love them too!!

5 Things I would Do to Change the NHL

So over at Puck Daddy blog
they have different sports and hockey personalities writing on 5 ways they'd change the NHL ... so here are mine.

1. Fire Gary Bettman
there is even a website
dedicated to do so. Fact is even with some of the recent improvements of the "NEW" NHL - the current commish has lost respect from the fans, players, and well some of the ownership doesn't even know or understand the direction the NHL is going. (The Coolest Game on ICE) The commish has made this rich and vast history sport into a mockery and well for the NHL to make up for things like the lockout, expansions, Free agency out of control, Hockey hard to find on the networks ... and well disrespect from the Union ... Gary needs to go.

2. Turn the Winter Classic idea to the Stanley Cup Champions versus All-stars. Having the Winter Classic and the recent all-star game (almost a joke now and wondering why?) The Winter Classic needs to embrace the different venues and also make the Break ..worth it.

3. Bring back the Canada Cup. (The World Cup is for "football fans" (aka soccer) and have the PR department do a good job to promote the whole North American rivalry. Canada versus the US. That's what people want to see. From the winter olympics to the Canada Cup.

4. Less Games. More Action. Every team should face each other at least 2x. and in each division maybe 3x. Make the current schedule between 60-72 games. A long season makes the prolonged "losers" offering no hope.

5. Add more Goons. Celebrate the history of the NHL. Don't insult the current and loyal fans you have. Change even the names of the divisions to the old names. Quit trying to win new fans while losing some of your loyal fan base. Further expansion to KC, and Vegas is almost insulting is you can't get the support for current teams you have. Adding more goons - brings more action, more thrill, and well more Canadian viewership (where alot of the revenue comes from) for the game. Celebrate NHL's VAST history. The oldest Trophy to be awarded. The most unique trophy. And well ... Get a new franchise to Hamilton. (It is afterall only commonsense)