My Bible verse this morning was about consistency and responsibility. It energized me.
Joshua 24:15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
It got me to thinking about core values that are enduring. My behavior and decisions will reflect whether or not these core values are alive and well in my life. My satisfaction level will be based on these as well as my definition of success. I want to be easy to trust and be able to have work that fits these values. Some may find me rigid in my beliefs but I am okay with that as long as I can know that my strongly held beliefs are in line with God's will for my life.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
The Evangelist
ok. It's been a refreshing time of vacation but I need to get back to the blogosphere. We are excited about the rally at church tonight with Larry and Gloria Lundstrom. They have a proven ministry of evangelism that has passed the test of time and integrity. We have personally known them for many years. If you are able to get to Harlan tonight you will be blessed. The "Evangelist" or messenger of the Gospel good news is listed as a gift given to the church.
Ephesians 4:11-13 "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
We are encouraged in the Bible to be evangelistic. 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." These words remind me that I have a responsibility to present (re-present) the truth of God to the world. I am glad for the opportunity to do that by inviting people to tonights rally. I appreciate your prayers for this event.
Ephesians 4:11-13 "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
We are encouraged in the Bible to be evangelistic. 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." These words remind me that I have a responsibility to present (re-present) the truth of God to the world. I am glad for the opportunity to do that by inviting people to tonights rally. I appreciate your prayers for this event.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Downhill to the sea
In vacation mode this week enjoying some Minnesota air, watching the ships coming and going in the Duluth harbor and thinking about the fact that Lake Superior is 600 feet above sea level. I am trying to grasp the concept of those big vessels going down that "hill" through the St.Lawrence seaway. I understand how the "Locks" work, but it still is one of those things of nature that make for great vacation pondering. I completed reading the book, "The Noticer" yesterday and I recommend it as great reading for anyone interested in personal growth. It will entertain you as well as bring you to new "points of understanding".
As our nation celebrates freedom this Independence day, I hope you will find some time to reflect and thank God for the blessings we have in this nation. If you have any change or money of any kind in your pocket, you are in the top 8 percent of the wealthiest people in the world.
As our nation celebrates freedom this Independence day, I hope you will find some time to reflect and thank God for the blessings we have in this nation. If you have any change or money of any kind in your pocket, you are in the top 8 percent of the wealthiest people in the world.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
An Accurate View
In Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love", There is wording in chapter one that challenges me to be sure my view of God is accurate. As I study the Word of God I still find areas where God needs to tweak my understanding of His nature. God has gifted people in our generation to help communicate some of these principles. As with any writing, I recommend you compare it with Scripture before accepting it. I feel like Chan's book passes that test. Here is a paragragh from the book that I really like:
The Bible calls us to live our lives. It is
important that we not measure our spiritual health by the people around
us, who are pretty much like us.To begin this journey, we’ll first address
our inaccurate view of God and, consequently, of ourselves. But before we look at what is wrong and address it, we need to understand something. The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of
God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He’s great and deserves to be the center of our lives. Jesus came humbly as a servant, but He never begs us to give Him some small part of ourselves. He commands everything from His followers.
I have decided that God deserves better than just the leftovers of my life. I am giving Him the main course.
I feel like singing the old chorus that rings in my heart:
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning Back, No turning back
Tho none go with me still I will follow
Tho none go with me still I will follow
Tho none go with me still I will follow
No turning bach, no turning back
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
No turning back, No turning back
The Bible calls us to live our lives. It is
important that we not measure our spiritual health by the people around
us, who are pretty much like us.To begin this journey, we’ll first address
our inaccurate view of God and, consequently, of ourselves. But before we look at what is wrong and address it, we need to understand something. The core problem isn’t the fact that we’re lukewarm, halfhearted, or stagnant Christians. The crux of it all is why we are this way, and it is because we have an inaccurate view of
God. We see Him as a benevolent Being who is satisfied when people manage to fit Him into their lives in some small way. We forget that God never had an identity crisis. He knows that He’s great and deserves to be the center of our lives. Jesus came humbly as a servant, but He never begs us to give Him some small part of ourselves. He commands everything from His followers.
I have decided that God deserves better than just the leftovers of my life. I am giving Him the main course.
I feel like singing the old chorus that rings in my heart:
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning Back, No turning back
Tho none go with me still I will follow
Tho none go with me still I will follow
Tho none go with me still I will follow
No turning bach, no turning back
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
The world behind me the cross before me
No turning back, No turning back
Monday, June 29, 2009
Bridge building
Some sermon notes from yesterday:
We need Bold, Daring and Crazy plans to light things up in our world. We are not just one salt for the world we are "The salt of the earth" We are not "a light" we are "the light of the world" There is huge significance in the way Jesus worded this scripture.
Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Let's be authentic in our sprinkling and shining today.
Credibility refers to the objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message.
Traditionally, credibility has two key components: trustworthiness and expertise
Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
A Plan:
How to increase the intensity of our light:
(Building the bridge that shows Christ’s love to the community)
1. Continue to strengthen and grow our prayer network
2. Document the needs of the community
3. Assess the true condition of the church- are we accomplishing our mission?
4. Find new ways to impact the community with a visible demonstration of the love of God.
5. Launch new movements to our neighbors
6. Make it tangible, observable and undeniable
We need Bold, Daring and Crazy plans to light things up in our world. We are not just one salt for the world we are "The salt of the earth" We are not "a light" we are "the light of the world" There is huge significance in the way Jesus worded this scripture.
Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Let's be authentic in our sprinkling and shining today.
Credibility refers to the objective and subjective components of the believability of a source or message.
Traditionally, credibility has two key components: trustworthiness and expertise
Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
A Plan:
How to increase the intensity of our light:
(Building the bridge that shows Christ’s love to the community)
1. Continue to strengthen and grow our prayer network
2. Document the needs of the community
3. Assess the true condition of the church- are we accomplishing our mission?
4. Find new ways to impact the community with a visible demonstration of the love of God.
5. Launch new movements to our neighbors
6. Make it tangible, observable and undeniable
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thinking levels
Spent an evening doing some learning about levels of thinking last night. One of the great advantages of serving on the school board is the opportunity to be in the company of experts in the area of the learning process. Knowing about the different levels of thinking will help us perform at a higher level in every area. If we analyze, synthesize and evaluate correctly, we move beyond words into concepts and new patterns of structure. The blending, deducing, devising, planning, presenting,rearranging and rewriting allows us to form a whole picture rather than guessing based on one piece of the puzzle. I have long been an opponent of what I call "paralysis by analysis" but many times I need to do a better job of what they call taxonomy levels of remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating.
On a spiritual level, I find God to be the epitome of all these. Being created in His image means that I have the seed in me to get to all these levels.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
-Romans 12:1-2
On a spiritual level, I find God to be the epitome of all these. Being created in His image means that I have the seed in me to get to all these levels.
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-- this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will."
-Romans 12:1-2
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Potential Power
I really like two of the facebook status updates from my friends that I read this morning.
"I have always had the power"
"Ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for"
Made for great launching points in my thought processes this morning. There is more power available to us today than we realize. In electronics, power is the product of potential (Voltage)and movement (Current). Getting the electrons to move is the key. In a sense we are like electrons in that circuit. We need to be moving for the potential to be of any value. You have the power to be free today.
"Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt
But Jesus came and listened to me, glory to God, He set me free!
He set me free, yes, He set me free, He broke the bonds of prison for me
I'm glory bound my Jesus to see, glory to God, He set me free!
Now it's good bye to sin and the things that confound, naught of this world shall turn me around
Daily I'm working, I'm praying too, glory to God I'm going through!
He set me free, yes, He set me free, He broke the bonds of prison for me
I'm glory bound my Jesus to see, glory to God, He set me free!"
"I have always had the power"
"Ships are safe in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for"
Made for great launching points in my thought processes this morning. There is more power available to us today than we realize. In electronics, power is the product of potential (Voltage)and movement (Current). Getting the electrons to move is the key. In a sense we are like electrons in that circuit. We need to be moving for the potential to be of any value. You have the power to be free today.
"Once like a bird in prison I dwelt, no freedom from my sorrow I felt
But Jesus came and listened to me, glory to God, He set me free!
He set me free, yes, He set me free, He broke the bonds of prison for me
I'm glory bound my Jesus to see, glory to God, He set me free!
Now it's good bye to sin and the things that confound, naught of this world shall turn me around
Daily I'm working, I'm praying too, glory to God I'm going through!
He set me free, yes, He set me free, He broke the bonds of prison for me
I'm glory bound my Jesus to see, glory to God, He set me free!"
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