Thursday, February 28, 2008
Virtual Rugby
My first week of picks was superb, topping the table. My second week abysmal. Oh how pride comes before a fall. So I am in the middle of the table and need a good weekend.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Revival
In a book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire Jim Cymbala writes "I despaired that my life might pass me by without seeing God move mightily on my behalf."
Great thought!
Great thought!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Communication Guide
This is a handy communication guide for every husband.
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.
DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
New Season
A new season of rugby is about to kick off. With hopes and dreams shattered last year in both the Super 14 and the World Cup, and a dismal showing by Counties Manukau in the Air Pacific Cup, this year holds new hope. My heart is already buoyed by the 7's team and I am hoping for a good show by Auckland this year. I'm going to the game Saturday night. I have my Uncle's season tickets! That's grace and favour right there!!
Worship
I was just helping Phil Maxwell, our Youth Band Leader, prepare a message on worship for our High School ministry and came across this thought which I thought was great:
St. Francis of Assisi once said: “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words”.
Evangelism is a lifestyle: it’s not a class, it’s not a program, it is not a chore or a hassle. It is an absolute discipline of devotion and love that comes from a heartfelt response to the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s a “given” for one who has been redeemed from the pit of hell. It may take many forms, but evangelism is a most natural response for the believer to tell others about what Christ has done in your life!
This idea can be extended to illustrate a very relevant principle in terms of worship:
“Worship at all times; if necessary, use music”.
Worship is not a programmme!
Worship is not a plan or a performance.
Worship is not a given set or style of music! Worship is a heart-felt response to a Saviour who has healed, delivered and forgiven us!
St. Francis of Assisi once said: “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words”.
Evangelism is a lifestyle: it’s not a class, it’s not a program, it is not a chore or a hassle. It is an absolute discipline of devotion and love that comes from a heartfelt response to the Good News of Jesus Christ. It’s a “given” for one who has been redeemed from the pit of hell. It may take many forms, but evangelism is a most natural response for the believer to tell others about what Christ has done in your life!
This idea can be extended to illustrate a very relevant principle in terms of worship:
“Worship at all times; if necessary, use music”.
Worship is not a programmme!
Worship is not a plan or a performance.
Worship is not a given set or style of music! Worship is a heart-felt response to a Saviour who has healed, delivered and forgiven us!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Children's Ministry
Pastor Mark Conner shared this about children's ministry on his blog
"This week I spoke to 800 children's ministry leaders at the Kidshaper Conference in Melbourne. What a buzz! I so appreciate those who minister to children in our local churches. Children's ministry is so vital.
Consider the research:
85% of those who become Christians do so before the age of 15.
Only 1 in 10,000 people come to Christ after the age of 30.
Only 1 in 750,000 come to Christ after the age of 75.
Obviously, no one is unreachable but there is no doubt that people are more open and tender during the early stages of their life.
Missiologists refer to the '10/40 window', that section of our planet where the most unreached people live. We could also refer to the '5/13 window', the ages when people are most receptive to the gospel . Almost 50% of the world's 6 billion+ population are in that window right now. What a mission field we have right here in our local communities.
Well-known evangelist, D.L. Moody was once asked how his evangelistic meeting went. He was reported to have said, "Two and a half people came to Christ tonight." He was asked, "Do you mean two adults and one child?" "No", he replied. "Two children and one adult. The adult's life is half over while the children have their entire life ahead of them."
What a perspective!
Children's ministry is important - to the children, to the family and to the church. I have observed that any healthy growing church is doing children and youth ministry well. Any declining church is usually not.Let's join together to reach out to all generations but especially to the children. After all, Jesus himself loves children and said, "Let the children come!" He also commissioned the Apostle Peter to "feed my ... lambs" ... not just the "sheep".
Our priorities for ministering to children should be: leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, helping them discover their purpose in life, and teaching them God's principles for living life to the full.Hug a kid today!"
"This week I spoke to 800 children's ministry leaders at the Kidshaper Conference in Melbourne. What a buzz! I so appreciate those who minister to children in our local churches. Children's ministry is so vital.
Consider the research:
85% of those who become Christians do so before the age of 15.
Only 1 in 10,000 people come to Christ after the age of 30.
Only 1 in 750,000 come to Christ after the age of 75.
Obviously, no one is unreachable but there is no doubt that people are more open and tender during the early stages of their life.
Missiologists refer to the '10/40 window', that section of our planet where the most unreached people live. We could also refer to the '5/13 window', the ages when people are most receptive to the gospel . Almost 50% of the world's 6 billion+ population are in that window right now. What a mission field we have right here in our local communities.
Well-known evangelist, D.L. Moody was once asked how his evangelistic meeting went. He was reported to have said, "Two and a half people came to Christ tonight." He was asked, "Do you mean two adults and one child?" "No", he replied. "Two children and one adult. The adult's life is half over while the children have their entire life ahead of them."
What a perspective!
Children's ministry is important - to the children, to the family and to the church. I have observed that any healthy growing church is doing children and youth ministry well. Any declining church is usually not.Let's join together to reach out to all generations but especially to the children. After all, Jesus himself loves children and said, "Let the children come!" He also commissioned the Apostle Peter to "feed my ... lambs" ... not just the "sheep".
Our priorities for ministering to children should be: leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, helping them discover their purpose in life, and teaching them God's principles for living life to the full.Hug a kid today!"
Miskates
"Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from."-Al Franken
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