Elliott and I had a long talk today about friendship. He asked me why some of his "friends" are not really nice to him. I tried to explain that friendships come in different shapes and sizes. Chuck Swindoll reminds us of four crucial truths pertaining to friendships.
...Friends are essential, not optional.
...Friends must be cultivated; they are not automatic.
...Friends impact our lives; they're not neutral.
...Friends come in four classifications, not one (acquaintances, casual friends, close friends and intimate friends.)
I told Elliott that even when his friends talked "smack" to him and weren't very nice to him that he should still act as Jesus would act.
Finally I told Elliott, "Your friends are like buttons on an elevator. They will either take you up or take you down. Choose the ones that take you up."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
American Idol
Why in the world do all of the judges on American Idol say the same thing? We need Paula back!
Don't Be Deceived
Galatians tells us to not be deceived; a man reaps what he sows. Tonight in Bible study I wrote the following statement on a white board: What you are today is what you will be 20 years from now.
Do you disagree or agree with this statement? I think it is another way to say, "a man reaps what he sows." Students must realize that the decisions they make now will affect them the rest of their lives.
Make Godly choices!
Do you disagree or agree with this statement? I think it is another way to say, "a man reaps what he sows." Students must realize that the decisions they make now will affect them the rest of their lives.
Make Godly choices!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Losing to save, Giving to get
"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? Luke 9:24-25
Life magazine wrote about their mission and their deaths. Some called them fools, but their courage and martyrdom paved the way for a new wave of missionary work during the second half of the twentieth century.
What gives a man such a sense of purpose that the possibility of death does not dissuade him from his efforts? For Jim Elliot, it was faith and a sense of mission. He studied God's Word, read the writings of people like Hudson Taylor and Amy Carmichael and enthusiastically hung on the words of speakers and preachers at mission conferences. Jim Elliot was a man who caught God's vision for his life.
Jim Elliot (1927-1956) - missionary pilot in Ecuador and husband to Elisabeth, was martyred at the hands of Waorani tribesmen.
Life magazine wrote about their mission and their deaths. Some called them fools, but their courage and martyrdom paved the way for a new wave of missionary work during the second half of the twentieth century.
What gives a man such a sense of purpose that the possibility of death does not dissuade him from his efforts? For Jim Elliot, it was faith and a sense of mission. He studied God's Word, read the writings of people like Hudson Taylor and Amy Carmichael and enthusiastically hung on the words of speakers and preachers at mission conferences. Jim Elliot was a man who caught God's vision for his life.
Jim Elliot (1927-1956) - missionary pilot in Ecuador and husband to Elisabeth, was martyred at the hands of Waorani tribesmen.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
10/10/10 STUDY
This study is done best with a small group of people you trust. If you don't have a group - ask about 5 people to be in your group! Each group member simply reads the bible, on their own, for ten minutes. (Tomara has a suggested list of passages to use for this study.) For the next 10 minutes everyone writes any thoughts that came to mind while they were reading. For the last ten minutes each person in the group shares what they read and wrote. This is a great way to learn about the Bible. Through this study you can also get to really know the people in your small group!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
PRAYER DURING THE SEASON OF LENT...
Go now, a child of God.
Choose well the road you take,
And the decisions you make.
Keep in mind always that
The God you serve
Continues to call to you,
Making you more and more every day
Into the faithful one
God wants you to be.
From: d365
Choose well the road you take,
And the decisions you make.
Keep in mind always that
The God you serve
Continues to call to you,
Making you more and more every day
Into the faithful one
God wants you to be.
From: d365
GOD SPECIALIZES IN SECOND CHANCES
During this season of Lent, let us remember that God specializes in second chances. We are invited to look carefully at ourselves. We are invited to repent.
In Luke 13:1-9 Jesus tells the story of a fruitless fig tree. The owner expected figs; after all, that's what fig trees produce; but no fruit was there. He commanded a servant to cut it down. Instead, the servant pleaded for mercy and was given another season to produce. When God calls for the fruit of repentance, he expects repentance. If he doesn't get response the first time, he seems open to give us another chance; but it's a second chance, not necessarily an unlimited chance. Is He giving you another season?
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
THE CHEESEBURGER BILL
Do you agree that people should take responsibility for their own actions? I do! This morning I fixed Max eggs, bacon and toast. I let him eat it in my room so he could watch PBS kids. We are out of school today because of SNOW. A few minutes later I heard Elliott say, "Moms never gonna let you eat in here again." I walked back to my bedroom and there was egg, toast, jelly and bacon all over the floor. I asked Max, "what happened?" He said, "I didn't do anything, my plate just jumped off." Although it was a mistake, Max didn't want to take responsibility for the food being on the floor. I told him it was okay and asked him again what happened and he told me the same thing. Then we had a talk about lying.
In late June 2002, Caesar Barber and other children/teenagers filed lawsuits against McDonald's Corp. They claimed that they sold them food that made them obese. One of the teenagers, Ceaser Barber, claimed that they should be held accountable for "wrecking his life."
According to a January 2003 article in Capitalism Magazine, "The lawyer acting on behalf of these outsized teens is Samuel Hirsch. He says people are too dumb to know what's good for them and that McDonalds has an obligation to make known their food is unhealthy, just like they should have warned old Stella Liebeck it's not a good idea to get in a car and stick a cup of hot coffee between your legs while you're trying to get the lid off."
Because of such lawsuits, in 2004 and 2005 the "Cheeseburger Bill" was passed through congressmen by the House of Representatives. The bill, however, couldn't get past the Senate. Although the bill did not get past the senate, I think we all agree that people should take responsibility for their own actions. Right? We cannot keep blaming others for the choices we make.
These stories illustrate a spiritual rule for all of us - God expects people to take responsibility for their actions. Jesus says so in Luke 13:1-9.
In this Lenten season, we are invited to look carefully at ourselves. We are invited to repent and be honest with God! If we want to produce fruit in our lives, we must take responsibility for our actions!
In late June 2002, Caesar Barber and other children/teenagers filed lawsuits against McDonald's Corp. They claimed that they sold them food that made them obese. One of the teenagers, Ceaser Barber, claimed that they should be held accountable for "wrecking his life."
According to a January 2003 article in Capitalism Magazine, "The lawyer acting on behalf of these outsized teens is Samuel Hirsch. He says people are too dumb to know what's good for them and that McDonalds has an obligation to make known their food is unhealthy, just like they should have warned old Stella Liebeck it's not a good idea to get in a car and stick a cup of hot coffee between your legs while you're trying to get the lid off."
Because of such lawsuits, in 2004 and 2005 the "Cheeseburger Bill" was passed through congressmen by the House of Representatives. The bill, however, couldn't get past the Senate. Although the bill did not get past the senate, I think we all agree that people should take responsibility for their own actions. Right? We cannot keep blaming others for the choices we make.
These stories illustrate a spiritual rule for all of us - God expects people to take responsibility for their actions. Jesus says so in Luke 13:1-9.
In this Lenten season, we are invited to look carefully at ourselves. We are invited to repent and be honest with God! If we want to produce fruit in our lives, we must take responsibility for our actions!
BUILDING A WINNING TEAM
I love my Youth Workers at SMBC! I have especially enjoyed seeing our UofL college students engaged as leaders in the youth ministry. They were just students one to two years ago. How is it that you build a winning team? Stan Toyler gives us 6 ways to do this in the Preaching journal for Jan/Feb 2010.
DELEGATE RESPONSIBILITY - Provide direction...set expectations...allow for creativity...check on the results...reward performance...
AFFIRM OTHERS - You can empower by your applause.
PROVIDE SUPPORT - Offer training and resources. Ask "What do you need?"
MOTIVATE TEAMMATES - Motivate by reminding them of the eternal value of their leadership.
EVALUATE RESULTS - Ask...Did we reach our goal? What could we have done better? What did we do great?
REWARD PERFORMANCE - Celebrate the victories!
Remember that Great Teams don't just happen. They are shaped by a great leader. Pour your energy into others, and they'll pour their energy into the mission!
BELIEVE CONFERENCE
The Junior High Believe Conference was one of the greatest conferences I've ever experienced. Great Job CIY (Christ In Youth). We experienced God in art, skateboarding, Church Group Take Out, Worship, Improv and in the Hearing of God's Word. The Big Idea from the weekend was that God wants Junior Highers to be WORKERS IN HIS KINGDOM!
THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW...
Monday, February 15, 2010
LITTLE LEAGUE
It's that time of year again. Can we say "batter up?" I just signed up Max for Tee Ball and I was reminded of my little league days in White Plains, Kentucky.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Prayer of Benedict of Nursia
O GRACIOUS AND HOLY FATHER
O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive Thee,
intelligence to understand Thee,
diligence to seek Thee,
Patience to wait for Thee,
eyes to behold Thee,
a heart to meditate upon Thee,
and a life to proclaim Thee;
through the power of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
O gracious and holy Father,
give us wisdom to perceive Thee,
intelligence to understand Thee,
diligence to seek Thee,
Patience to wait for Thee,
eyes to behold Thee,
a heart to meditate upon Thee,
and a life to proclaim Thee;
through the power of the Spirit
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saving the Children
“They were missionaries who came to help,” he said.
According to Daily Dispatch Online, this is what the American's lawyer has said in response to the Southern Baptist missionaries who tried to 'kidnap' the Haitian children from their home.
What do you think about the arrest and jailing of the 10 Southern Baptist missionaries who tried to gather 100 orphans from the streets and take them to the Dominican Republic?
Read the Opinion from Fritz Gutwein at http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/4816/9/.
This article and the comments on the article are very interesting. Take a look.
According to Daily Dispatch Online, this is what the American's lawyer has said in response to the Southern Baptist missionaries who tried to 'kidnap' the Haitian children from their home.
What do you think about the arrest and jailing of the 10 Southern Baptist missionaries who tried to gather 100 orphans from the streets and take them to the Dominican Republic?
Read the Opinion from Fritz Gutwein at http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/4816/9/.
This article and the comments on the article are very interesting. Take a look.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Will teenagers give their virginity up as easily as they would their cell phone?
Good Article from CPYU
"Above all things guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23).
Her hands shook and her eyes roamed restlessly about the bus. I could tell she was agitated about something. I walked up the aisle of the bus and met the eager eyes of many teens as we turned the corner just one block away from arriving back at the church from a weekend retreat.
This particular girl asked me with a look of frustration and desperation, "Can I have my cell phone back now?"
Most youth workers can relate to the battle against cell phone dependency and the symptoms of withdrawal that come when we limit or ban cell phone use during a weekend youth retreat or mission trip.
For years and years, teens have been signing off on parent permission slips and trip expectation forms banning the possession of such contraband as drugs, alcohol and weapons. Few ever dared protest the ban on these. I mean, come on! Why would drugs, alcohol and weapons ever be appropriate on a spiritual retreat?
However, youth pastors recently have been so bold as to add another item to the list: cell phones.
The first time I enforced the "No Cell Phones" rule on a retreat, I was met with a good amount of protest, complaints, crusty looks and outright defiance.
"It's for your own good," I told them.
"Disconnect from life back home in order to reconnect with God."
"Why not engage the 50 people sitting around you on the bus instead of the one person you're texting?" And so on…
Most of us know that disconnecting and giving ourselves a true escape from the people, projects and worries of home is good and healthy for the soul. Even our students get it and know deep down that this is true and good.
By the way, our youth group has adapted well to this policy, and I'm proud to say it wasn't even an issue on our most recent trip.
I was having lunch with a pastor friend of mine the other day. He told me of his recent enforcement of the "No Cell Phones" policy at a mission camp this summer. He said many students were absolutely furious. Many gave their phones up reluctantly and then had a negative attitude the rest of the week.
What makes teens guard these little devices so ferociously? Why is it such a violation to ask them to give up a small piece of personal property for a weekend retreat or weeklong mission trip?
What do cell phones represent to teens that make them such personal treasures worth guarding and protecting like a mama bear protects her cubs?
With these thoughts floating around in my head, I blurted out a provocative statement to my pastor friend across the table that struck us both as...well...something worth pondering. I said: "Many teens will give up their virginity easier than they'll give up their cell phone."
Put another way: "Many teens seem to guard their cell phone with more care and determination than they guard their virginity."
I know this is probably an overstatement, even offensive to some; but is it completely off track? Is there any degree of truth to this shocking comparison?
If we're honest, we'll admit the things we guard and protect are the things we value and treasure most. The things we protect less and give up without a fight are the things we value less. So, why do teens guard their cell phones so carefully and often play around so casually and recreationally with their sexuality? This is a lamentable reality that all youth workers must be vigilant to address continuously with our teens.
I believe a part of that message must be: You can toss your cell phone out the window and simply purchase a new one the next day. Sure, you'll have to spend some time gathering all your contacts and numbers to reprogram. Conversely, if you give up your virginity in the heat of the moment this Friday night, you'll never get it back. That particular personal contact always will be programmed into your memory, and you'll never be able to erase it completely.
So, let's loosen our grip on our cell phones and tighten our grip on our God-given gift of sexual purity. That's a treasure truly worth guarding!
"Above all things guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Prov. 4:23).
Her hands shook and her eyes roamed restlessly about the bus. I could tell she was agitated about something. I walked up the aisle of the bus and met the eager eyes of many teens as we turned the corner just one block away from arriving back at the church from a weekend retreat.
This particular girl asked me with a look of frustration and desperation, "Can I have my cell phone back now?"
Most youth workers can relate to the battle against cell phone dependency and the symptoms of withdrawal that come when we limit or ban cell phone use during a weekend youth retreat or mission trip.
For years and years, teens have been signing off on parent permission slips and trip expectation forms banning the possession of such contraband as drugs, alcohol and weapons. Few ever dared protest the ban on these. I mean, come on! Why would drugs, alcohol and weapons ever be appropriate on a spiritual retreat?
However, youth pastors recently have been so bold as to add another item to the list: cell phones.
The first time I enforced the "No Cell Phones" rule on a retreat, I was met with a good amount of protest, complaints, crusty looks and outright defiance.
"It's for your own good," I told them.
"Disconnect from life back home in order to reconnect with God."
"Why not engage the 50 people sitting around you on the bus instead of the one person you're texting?" And so on…
Most of us know that disconnecting and giving ourselves a true escape from the people, projects and worries of home is good and healthy for the soul. Even our students get it and know deep down that this is true and good.
By the way, our youth group has adapted well to this policy, and I'm proud to say it wasn't even an issue on our most recent trip.
I was having lunch with a pastor friend of mine the other day. He told me of his recent enforcement of the "No Cell Phones" policy at a mission camp this summer. He said many students were absolutely furious. Many gave their phones up reluctantly and then had a negative attitude the rest of the week.
What makes teens guard these little devices so ferociously? Why is it such a violation to ask them to give up a small piece of personal property for a weekend retreat or weeklong mission trip?
What do cell phones represent to teens that make them such personal treasures worth guarding and protecting like a mama bear protects her cubs?
With these thoughts floating around in my head, I blurted out a provocative statement to my pastor friend across the table that struck us both as...well...something worth pondering. I said: "Many teens will give up their virginity easier than they'll give up their cell phone."
Put another way: "Many teens seem to guard their cell phone with more care and determination than they guard their virginity."
I know this is probably an overstatement, even offensive to some; but is it completely off track? Is there any degree of truth to this shocking comparison?
If we're honest, we'll admit the things we guard and protect are the things we value and treasure most. The things we protect less and give up without a fight are the things we value less. So, why do teens guard their cell phones so carefully and often play around so casually and recreationally with their sexuality? This is a lamentable reality that all youth workers must be vigilant to address continuously with our teens.
I believe a part of that message must be: You can toss your cell phone out the window and simply purchase a new one the next day. Sure, you'll have to spend some time gathering all your contacts and numbers to reprogram. Conversely, if you give up your virginity in the heat of the moment this Friday night, you'll never get it back. That particular personal contact always will be programmed into your memory, and you'll never be able to erase it completely.
So, let's loosen our grip on our cell phones and tighten our grip on our God-given gift of sexual purity. That's a treasure truly worth guarding!
Investing Your Talents
1 Corinthians 15:58 - "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
"I'm just not good at anything." Have you ever heard someone say that phrase? How often have you felt like saying it? Discovering your talents and how to use them can be a tough process. In the book of Corinthians, Paul instructs the churches in and around Corinth to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord. I believe in order to give ourselves fully to the Lord, we must know our spiritual gifts and strengths.
If you are at a place where you would like to seriously give yourself wholly to the Lord, I encourage you to buy the book Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I also encourage you to contact a minister at your church about taking a Spiritual Gifts Survey. Once you have taken those tests, make an appointment with an organization about how you could use your gifts in honor of our Lord.
You may have a full-time job but choose to volunteer your time and use your strengths to honor God.
"I'm just not good at anything." Have you ever heard someone say that phrase? How often have you felt like saying it? Discovering your talents and how to use them can be a tough process. In the book of Corinthians, Paul instructs the churches in and around Corinth to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord. I believe in order to give ourselves fully to the Lord, we must know our spiritual gifts and strengths.
If you are at a place where you would like to seriously give yourself wholly to the Lord, I encourage you to buy the book Strengthsfinder 2.0 by Tom Rath. I also encourage you to contact a minister at your church about taking a Spiritual Gifts Survey. Once you have taken those tests, make an appointment with an organization about how you could use your gifts in honor of our Lord.
You may have a full-time job but choose to volunteer your time and use your strengths to honor God.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
THE SIMPLE LIFE - Really?
Recently, I read a book by Thom Rainer and Art Rainer entitled "simple life." The book focuses on how to make your time really count...how to create and keep healthy relationships...how to simplify and build healthy finances and how to get closer to God.
Although the book was encouraging, there was nothing in the book that gave me an "ah hah" moment. The most important thing that matters in life is our relationship with Jesus and the second most important thing that matters is our relationships with others (including our families.)
Is life really simple? I don't think it is. I'm constantly asking myself...How can I be a better wife...a better mom...a better friend? I don't think there is anything simple about accepting our humanity. We are imperfect. Our children are imperfect. Our churches are imperfect. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23.) But if you are like me, then you would like to be the perfect wife, the perfect mom and the perfect friend. I must constantly remind myself of 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins; he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Although the book was encouraging, there was nothing in the book that gave me an "ah hah" moment. The most important thing that matters in life is our relationship with Jesus and the second most important thing that matters is our relationships with others (including our families.)
Is life really simple? I don't think it is. I'm constantly asking myself...How can I be a better wife...a better mom...a better friend? I don't think there is anything simple about accepting our humanity. We are imperfect. Our children are imperfect. Our churches are imperfect. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23.) But if you are like me, then you would like to be the perfect wife, the perfect mom and the perfect friend. I must constantly remind myself of 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins; he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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