Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

Romans 12:1-2 The Message (MSG) Romans 12 Place Your Life Before God 1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2 New International Version (NIV) Romans 12 A Living Sacrifice 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper wor

A Church leader recently told me: "80% of ministry is babysitting." Agree or disagree? What are some issues you are dealing with that involved babysitting? People are people. And people's needs (Not wants) need to be met. There is a deep problem. As someone has recently said: "If you got a problem, its a spiritual problem." I wonder if those that fight over minor issues realize that its their spiritual immaturity that causes some of this?

Saw this post which got me thinking what are some of the things that Church Leaders would not want people to know? I. We mess up all the time. Sure there is the whole put the preacher on the pedestal thing .... but really we struggle with sin, and tend to put on this holy self-righteous mask and really don't want people to know our deepest darkest hurts or sins. We're afraid people use it against us; or won't forgive; or see us in a different light. II. Sometimes we want to quit. We want to throw in the towel. Sometimes it happens first thing on Monday morning. We wish the conflict, the fights, the backstabbing, the dishonesty .... (Really, you think you deceive me by lying to my face?) would stop. III. We do compare ourselves to others. Heck, we might of even dreamed of being that Mega-Superstar, cool, pastor that every one likes and wants to be invited to the conventions is ourselves. Then we pray "God just use me, I don't need to be the next maga whoev

Yesterday I went to a seminar sponsored by the Spiritual Cares Department of Meritus Medical Center .... along with Brook Lane and Washington Cares. One of the biggest issues of the Spiritual Care Conference is how do we know what resources are in our area, and what is the Church doing about it? The Seminars presented where: Identifying the Least, the Lost, and Left out. Interviewing and getting the Info. Identifying Community Resources. And of course a model that has worked in another community. The hardest part isn't all this information but the application and the real need: Helping those hurting. So what is the answer: The conclusion of course was more meetings to help take this information and make it more practical. I. Having a Centralized place to identify the resources out there for institutions, churches, ministries etc. 2. Accountability in those resources. The hardest thing is some of the bureaucracy in the government agencies (And yes even

This blog had the worst Christian Songs So I thought I give a list of the most overplayed and overdone Christian Songs .... 10. I Can Only Imagine - Mercy Me. 9. El Shaddai - Amy Grant. 8. O Praise Him - David Crowder Band. 7. Another Time, Another Place - sandi patty 6. Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle 5. Thank You - Ray Boltz 4. Cartoon Song - Chris Rise. 3. Heart of Worship - Matt Redman 2. Friends - Michael W. Smith. 1. The Champion - Carman. What ones would you add? Others take off? Honorable mention: Blessed be Your Name The Great Adventure I will be Here. Trading my sorrows As the Deer O Lord And any overdone Gaither Song.

I losted one of the lenses in my glasses. I can still see .... but boy has it been different. I have a pair of reading glasses that I've been using.... and sometimes it isn't as clear as it should be. I'm wondering though if this is like the Christian walk. We are all excited and have our new pair of glasses only to lose focus and get off track ... what we need is a our vision repaired to be back on the path that God has called us. I feel a lot of "Christian" people are just like me - not seeing very clearly ...needing to get back on track and back to where God wants them to be. Hopefully they heed the call before its too late.

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. I like to joke, and enjoy life just as much as anyone. So where is the line between coarse joking and joking? You have to ask yourself several questions: 1. Is it in fun? 2. Is it hurting someone's feelings? (I've seen many people insult others thinking it was funny but was far from funny ... you can poke about yourself, and your life, but please don't others or put them down - sometimes I'm guilty of this) 3. Is the joke rude or crude or not pleasing (Phil.4:8,9 comes to mind: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ) 4. Does it

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How does one Write a sermon? There are several good books out there on writing a sermon: Biblical Preaching By Hadden Robinson Preaching that Changes Lives - Michael Fabarez Applying the Sermon- Daniel Overdorf But how does one write a sermon? One has to choose a text and examine the text in its context. You study, pray. write notes. Do word studies etc. Use resources such as other versions, commentaries etc. You than go back and try to have a skeleton to your message. What is the main idea of text? Are there main points that support it? Is there a structure I can use? You also look at the content and ask things such as: What is the subject? Is my message built on solid exegesis? What is my analysis? What in the text supports this? After doing this you can write the content of your message along with what is the application. Then you can go back to the introduction and ask - what can I do to get the congregation's attention? Then when deliv

Sometimes I think we give Satan more power than he has. Oh, the devil made me do it. Oh it is the devil's fault. Oh, the devil is doing this to me ...as if the devil is everywhere and can be everywhere like God. He can't. Sometimes the greatest enemy isn't the devil but ourselves. The devil tempts us and is a roaring lion and disguised himself as an angel of light ...but ultimately we choose to fall into that sin or not. The devil doesn't make you do anything. We like to use him as a scapegoat much like what people do in talk shows. James 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. We have 3

We all love gadgets. We use them in ministry. Smartphones. Lap tops. etc. Lately I've been thinking about not only APPs but what are those gadgets that I could not do without: 1. Scanner - scan documents, images etc. I use my flatbed scanner all the time to make videos etc. And use the software. 2. A good camera. I use some of the pictures I take for graphics, presentations etc. 3. USB cords. I have a variety of styles of USB cords for my printer, cameras etc. And keep them handy just in case. 4. A charger - for my nook, ipod, phone etc. Our electronics always need to be powered up and ready. 5. Ear phones. I use mine all the time. 6. Velcro Strips to organize the many wires, lines, and cables you have. (Not really a gadget but nice item) 7. Eternal Hard Drive - having a good one. I use flashdrives, external hard drive and an app called drop box to save some of my files on. 8. An Mp3 player. I love my ipod. I could do more with it ...but just love the songs and

 Titus 2: 3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. The case for women teachers but maybe not preachers 1. Older women teaching the younger women and children. 2.  Younger women to be Children's Ministers or even "Youth Ministers" 3. The priesthood of all believers - we're all to share and make disciples of all people and to go and share. 4. To be a living sermon. 5. How beautiful are the feet that bring good news. Now if one wants to say we can now have women preachers in our pulpits (A Big jump from the role each Christian should be playing to that of one who is leading a church and preaching/teaching in it BTW and justificatio

So what is Worship? How can one simply worship? Is it just music? The ABCs of Worship is easy but complex. 1. Worship is not music. 2. Music can help us worship but in and of itself is not worship. So what is worship? 1. Worship is showing love or adoration for something or someone. (Alot of people worship alot of things, stuff, people, TV shows, sports, busyness ..whether they like to admit it or not) What do you devote most of your time to? (That is probably what you worship the most) 3. Worship isn't a one time action .... Worship is a constant. 4. Worship is showing love and adoration or rather should be showing love and adoration for God. So how does one go about showing love and adoration for God? 1. Be with God. Listen for Him. Pause. Be still. Pray and listen. 2. Be in His Word. Study. Pray. Read the Word. 3. Write. Journal. What is God doin in your life now. 4. Have things that help you concentrate on him. Read books, use media - internet, TV, radi

I get this question ... alot. Due to the different perceptions of the Church of Christ due to: 1. The acappella fellowship  and differences of:     a. Mutual Edification - oppose local preacher, and institutional support.     b. Oppose having separate Bible school classes     c. Non-institutions - against church support of such.     d. One Cup used for communion etc.     e. Being dogmatic on acappella music (If use instruments going to hell crowd) 2. The Boston Movement of the Church of Christ. (Cult-like in evangelism and small groups) 3. The variety of Churches of Christ in the Restoration Movement from the acappella fellowship to Christian Churches/ Churches of Christ (Independent) and the Disciples of Christ) (Not to mention the United Churches of Christ etc) So what is the answer? The answer is the Boston Movement used to be classified as a cult. There are churches that can be cult-like .... and what you need to ask is: 1. Is the preacher focusing o

Here are the two books I'm reading this fall. (Plus a few others on my Nook) The "Not a Fan" book (I'm almost done with) is for an upcoming sermon series/ small group study for later this year. The Dare to drop a Pose (Formerly known as Confessions from a pastor) is for my Fusion group (Church leaders study' monthly meeting) in which we review and discuss the resource. I'm actually looking forward to these two books. So what are you currently reading? What series are you currently teaching on?

Every year it comes and goes. Xmas Versus Christmas. Easter Versus Resurrection Lord's Day. The Evils of Halloween. So what is a Christian to do? What is the Church's position? And how are we, as Christians, to act? Here is the Big Deal in a nutshell: Basically it is "Christians majoring in minors." So what people call it XMAS or Holidays rather than "Christmas." Are we so surprised that sinners do what sinners do? The bigger question is how are you promoting Jesus everyday? Not just on Sundays or Holidays to suit your traditions. So what that some holidays have their roots in evil? Shouldn't we redeem them, and make things Christ-like? Colossians 2:16 says "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration, or a Sabbath day." Seems I don't see too many New Moon holidays (unless you count that book/ movie series). So what is one to do? Well P

Some Basic facts to Mormonism: 1. Started by a 14yr old Joseph Smith in 1820 ho had a vision of "resurrected being' named Moroni. 2. The "church" officially started in 1830 in NY with 6 members. 3. Believe the Bible is true "As long as it is translated properly." The Mormon writings including: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price have greater authority than the Bible/ 4. Mormons believe God used to be a man. (Believe humans progress towards godhood and that we are now what God once was) In other words, can attain Godhood through obedience. OT heroes like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob already became gods. 5. Mormons at one time allowed men to marry several wives. (Stopped practice in 1890 though some branches continue this) Great emphasis on marriage, children and to "Multiply and fill the earth." 6. Mormons at one time did not allow African Americans to be priests. (lifted in 1978) (This due to ole belie

                    cult /kəlt/ Noun: A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. But what is a cult? With all this talk in political circles about what politician is in a cult and what one is not ...here is what to know what a cult is and is not. Here are some identifying features of a cult: 1. It has a dominant leader 2. It follows "holy" teachings in addition to the Bible. 3. It isolates members from society. A cult is a group that tends to stray from traditional teachings on Christianity. People are attracted to cults  because they tend to offer easy answers to modern problems, provide an atmosphere of love and acceptance ...and people who are tired of traditional "Religion" tend to be attracted

I have this shirt .... with "Loser" on the front and this verse on the back (Actually the Matt. equalivant) I had it for some time. I wore it this past Sunday while talking about the commitment we are to be making to follow Christ. Following Christ isn't easy nor is it for everyone. We are to be willing to count the cost, carry our crosses and follow Him. Are you game?

Top 10 Things you can give for Minister  Appreciation Month By Gerrard R. Fess October is Minister  Appreciation Month. The following are some suggestions to help show your leadership that you care. As a fellow minister  some of these suggestions were given to me and helped encourage and show that I was valued as a member of the church body. 1. Gift cards – cards from local grocery store, home value places,, I-tunes etc. Be creative.  2. Groceries. Get what their grocery list is or what they usually buy. Some churches in the South I’m told do what is called a “Pounding” and basically what a pounding is a challenge to fill the cupboards and fridge to the brim with stocks of food. Imagine saving $$$ on groceries. Very practical idea. 3. Free babysitting and complimentary funds for a date night. 4. Money – always works. Sometimes you don’t know what the family’s bills, struggles or what they need – it might be they need more clothes for the kids but the budget is tight

I've been in ministry for over 16yrs. Married for over 14yrs. In my current ministry, as a preacher, for over 3yrs ... and yet some of my peers ask me: "So you still at the same place?"Joking with me. When I was in youth ministry, there was this idea, and challenge that you were handling people's most precious treasures ... their children. There have been some great ministries I've had. (Always a good sign when you are invited back and left on good terms - that isn't so in all my ministies or for many of my friends) Ministry is tough. Whether you are full time paid staff or volunteers. Ministry can be tough. But what I want to tell people is: don't give up, hang in there, the benefits far outweigh the grieve. The joys of ministry ... the honor of seeing people's lives changed is well worth it. So as you are Jesus' hands and feet daily to people ....know this .... be in it for the long haul, don't give up. Make disciples ....love God an

I plan on going to this event. If you live loically ...why not plan to go as well?