STOP!
Luke 10:25-29: “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’ But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
Jesus confirmed that the lawyer’s conclusion for inheriting eternal life was correct. Now, I’ve thought many times, why didn’t the lawyer leave it alone? Why ask the next question? Pride and self-righteousness can make it hard for us to keep our mouths shut at times.
Thanks to the lawyer’s next question, Luke chapter 10 records two stories of a few busy people, to teach us some important lessons about the Great Commandment.
read more // comments (0)What Are You Dreaming About?
Prov 29:18, “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (ESV)
read more // comments (0)Gift-giving Season
Christmas is the gift-giving season, here are the “Top 10 Things to Say About a Bad Christmas Gift”:
10. Hey, now there's a gift!
9. Well, well, well . . .
8. Boy, if I had not recently shot up 4 sizes that would've fit.
7. This is perfect for wearing around the basement.
6. I sure hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.
5. If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!
4. I love it — but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.
3. Sadly, tomorrow I enter the Federal Witness Protection Program.
A Compliment from the Third Century
In the third century, St. Cyprian of Carthage wrote the following in a letter to Donatus:
“It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians. . . and I am one of them.”
What a compliment! St. Cyprian description of the church is refreshing. It seems that the third century church had taken to heart the instructions St. Paul had given on how to live in this “bad world”, a few centuries earlier.
read more // comments (0)Start Counting!
Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving every year? Lou Whitmire, a reporter in Mansfield, Ohio, asked this question to kids at Sherman Elementary school. Here are a few of the answers he got:
Jamie Copley, 7, said people celebrate Thanksgiving because “it’s the season where everyone joins together.”
Christina McGuire, 7, said, "It’s a good month."
Kamozye Bowles, 6, said people celebrate Thanksgiving because "it’s a happy day; my granny cooks and its good.”
Selina McGregor, 6, said she knows why people all get together to celebrate on Thanksgiving Day. "It’s a wonderful year and a good time to share all that food," she added, "I love pumpkin pie.”
The Apple Impact.
My friend and District Youth Director, Jeffery Portmann, of the Northwest Network made this statement to me: “Vision + Execution = Impact.” I was reminded of this recently with the death of Apple Founder, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs was a great example of the truth of Jeffery’s statement.
In Jay Elliot’s book, The Steve Jobs Way, we can see how Vision + Execution = Impact in the Apple Corporation. Steve had a vision, a vision about the power of computers to change people's lives. Vision requires belief, courage and passion. "Great products only come from people who are passionate," (page 15). Steve never lacked passion.
Fusion Leadership Conference
Do you feel isolated in ministry? Do you need to be encouraged? What about some time away to connect with others like you? Ministry was never meant to be done alone. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, "For we are God's fellow workers." This verse implies that we are working with God and others to build His kingdom. The question is, who are you working with and working for?
Fusion Leadership Conference is a time to relax and be encouraged; it's also a time to invest in building new relationships and enriching old ones. We as children's pastors/workers and youth pastors/workers have a common purpose to reach and influence this next generation for Jesus Christ. John Maxwell made this statement famous, "Leadership is Influence." Effective ministry happens when God influences our ministry and in turn we influence the next generation.
Mark your Calendar
This Fall there are four important dates you need to be aware of. Four dates you need put on your calendar and to use to increase your impact in ministry. Four dates that communicate that ministry is larger then your local building. Four dates that help you fulfill Jesus’ prayer in John chapter 17. Here are those dates:
read more // comments (0)We did it this Summer!
We did it! Over the summer the youth of Oregon worked in fireworks tents, went on Bick-a-Thons, washed cars and sacrificially gave in STL Camp offerings. Now, I am excited to report that they gave and raised enough money to complete our current Speed the Light project. Together our students, youth ministries and churches gave the funds needed to purchase a 15 passenger van for Portland Metro Teen Challenge. Portland Metro TC will soon be able to use this new van to transport those in the resident program to work projects, church services and other functions of the program.
Sometimes we might wonder where do those Speed the Light dollars go? Are they truly making a difference? I can tell you, with confidence, they are making an impact in Portland and in the lives of the people Portland Metro TC is touching. Here is just one testimony of TC’s impact in Portland.
How to Wear the Planner Hat
Recently I returned home from Phoenix and our National Assemblies of God General Council, AIM Trip and Fine Arts Festival. It was great to see so many groups from Oregon make the trip down to the valley of the sun. I understand how much preparation goes into a trip like this. As Childrens & Youth Pastors one of the hats we wear from time to time is event planner. Here are some lessons I have learned that can help make the process smother.
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