Archives (page 147 of 165)
Thankful…
�I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.�
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and writer
Thankful…
�I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.�
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, philosopher and writer
Galatians 3:1-5 (The Message)
“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up! Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you?”
Galatians 3:1-5 (The Message)
“You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a hex on you? Have you taken leave of your senses? Something crazy has happened, for it’s obvious that you no longer have the crucified Jesus in clear focus in your lives. His sacrifice on the Cross was certainly set before you clearly enough. Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up! Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you?”
More Good…No, Great Stuff from PostModern Pilgrim!
One of the “new’ blogs I’ve linked to is PostModern Pilgrim. Check out what’s posted over there now.
I like these “necessary” things a witness needs to remember…
~~Work in a Team. Don’t ever go it alone. Paul always had others with him and picked up more people on the way.
~~ Live with the people. In the old mission days the missionaries lived in the Big House or the special place, locked and gated, a refuge from the heathen world they were trying to convert. Today we all need to live with the people to learn their language and culture and needs, not what we impose on them.
~~ Share both the Gospel and your life. In other words, don’t be aloof, but be a servant with the people.
~~ Set an example- in other words- disciple others. We all do it. We are always setting an example, so what is it you are going to share? Do you live like you believe- truly believe what you are saying is true?
In all of this never forget that God is present at all times in words, the Word, and Power.
And then these thoughts on the difference between recruiting members and making disciples…
~~ When you recruit members you are trying to bring people in.
~~ When you recruit disciples you are trying to send people out.
~~ Members are for us and our survival.
~~ Disciples are for others and for God’s Kingdom.
After a long, long day yesterday…and “money (or lack thereof!) finance meeting last night at church…I needed these thoughts today! Actually, it would’ve been better if I had them at the meeting last night. There’s just something so…cheesy and manipulative about trying to get people “in church” just so “our financial problems can be solved.”
More Good…No, Great Stuff from PostModern Pilgrim!
One of the “new’ blogs I’ve linked to is PostModern Pilgrim. Check out what’s posted over there now.
I like these “necessary” things a witness needs to remember…
~~Work in a Team. Don’t ever go it alone. Paul always had others with him and picked up more people on the way.
~~ Live with the people. In the old mission days the missionaries lived in the Big House or the special place, locked and gated, a refuge from the heathen world they were trying to convert. Today we all need to live with the people to learn their language and culture and needs, not what we impose on them.
~~ Share both the Gospel and your life. In other words, don’t be aloof, but be a servant with the people.
~~ Set an example- in other words- disciple others. We all do it. We are always setting an example, so what is it you are going to share? Do you live like you believe- truly believe what you are saying is true?
In all of this never forget that God is present at all times in words, the Word, and Power.
And then these thoughts on the difference between recruiting members and making disciples…
~~ When you recruit members you are trying to bring people in.
~~ When you recruit disciples you are trying to send people out.
~~ Members are for us and our survival.
~~ Disciples are for others and for God’s Kingdom.
After a long, long day yesterday…and “money (or lack thereof!) finance meeting last night at church…I needed these thoughts today! Actually, it would’ve been better if I had them at the meeting last night. There’s just something so…cheesy and manipulative about trying to get people “in church” just so “our financial problems can be solved.”
“The Boy” Is Alive…and Going to CNN’s Crossfire This Afternoon
I posted earlier today that “The Boy” is in Washington, DC, and that we hadn’t heard from him since Friday. Well, not even an hour went by and he called from the bus on the way to the Supreme Court. (I told him he must have logged on, just to read my blog…that’s how he knew to call. But he denied it.*)
Anyway, the trip going well, and they are scheduled to go the taping or live presentation of CNN’s Crossfire this afternoon at 4:30 Eastern time. He didn’t know – and neither do I – if it’s live or taped for later airing. NOTE: I just found out that Crossfire is on live at 4:30 p.m. ET.
So, there you have it.
*Contrary to popular belief, teenagers do, in fact, miss their folks when they are away.
Monday Morning!
“The Boy” is off in Washington, DC with a school group. He’s staying here. (What do you want to bet it doesn’t look like this picture with four high school senior guys staying there?!?!)
One good note: The Willard is so close to the White House that the US Secret Service is in charge of its security arrangements. The teacher sponsoring the trip reminded the parents – and the students! – that everything…everything! is monitored and videotaped by the Secret Service!
Today’s itinerary includes the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, lunch in the Senate cafeteria, Capitol Hill, and a nighttime tour of the District.
Oh, and we’ve heard from “The Boy” exactly ZERO times since he left on Friday! But we haven’t heard from the Secret Service either, so I guess all is well!
And just in case “The Boy” has logged on somewhere in DC, the Chiefs lost to his mom’s alma mater in the high school football playoffs last Friday night.
Monday Morning!
“The Boy” is off in Washington, DC with a school group. He’s staying here. (What do you want to bet it doesn’t look like this picture with four high school senior guys staying there?!?!)
One good note: The Willard is so close to the White House that the US Secret Service is in charge of its security arrangements. The teacher sponsoring the trip reminded the parents – and the students! – that everything…everything! is monitored and videotaped by the Secret Service!
Today’s itinerary includes the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, lunch in the Senate cafeteria, Capitol Hill, and a nighttime tour of the District.
Oh, and we’ve heard from “The Boy” exactly ZERO times since he left on Friday! But we haven’t heard from the Secret Service either, so I guess all is well!
And just in case “The Boy” has logged on somewhere in DC, the Chiefs lost to his mom’s alma mater in the high school football playoffs last Friday night.