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1 Samuel

April 23, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

Just reading in my b-i-b-l-e this morning about Samuel and just seeing how the people of Israel had asked for a king selfishly even though God had appointed Samuel and that God was their king. Even though Israel had done so many crazy things Samuel had this word from God:

22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. (1 Samuel 12:22)

 

I am so glad that God will not reject his people. But we also learn in that chapter that God will raise his hand up against His people if they disobey. But again I am thankful that our God will not deny us. He claims us as His own and will not reject us for the sake of His name. How awesome is that?

Theological thoughts

April 23, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I found myself thinking last night about the ramifications of certain ways of thinking theologically yesterday. I visited a sight that I do not go to very often. I won’t tell you the name because that is not what my blog is about. But all I found was a discussion on who was right or wrong and then it ended in a political discussion on who should be leading the SBC. 

I was thinking to myself, “Self, why if theology is their main point of discussion must they rip and tear other people to shreds talking about their personal lives and their ministries as if they alone are judge?”

I admit to not being very knowledgeable about many theological issues. But I can’t help but think about the Sanhedrin. (This is funny because they talked about on their website how someone they were bashing was so much like the Sanhedrin. :) )   Why are they bashing so many people on such a public stage? Why is their job to determine who is right and wrong?

 

I just have a problem with people like this. Our job is to build others and in order to do that you do need to tell them the direction they are following is wrong sometimes. But you need to push them closer to Christ in the process not just away from people. I don’t see how this particular part is edifying the body of Christ. But I might be missing the boat, it wouldn’t be the first time.

out

 

out

Free Night!

April 22, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead, Life 0

After the past few weeks, it was nice to get a night to just relax. Basketball, Call of Duty 4, and my brain were the only things going on tonight in my lil world. My brain gets so much room to roam on nights like this. 

 

To illustrate I will give you just a couple of things running through my mind:

  • wondering how fun it would be to coach a kid’s basketball team.
  • trying to figure out finances with actually being on my own for the first time.
  • wondering why we don’t take production as seriously as nickolodeon and mtv does?
  • wanting to understand just how God is working through my life right now.
  • ideas for adventure week (aka VBS).
  • Not enjoying Stax’s restaurant that we had tonight.
  • trying to figure out is there a way to be productive while sleeping.
  • The Memphis Tigers are gonna be great again next year and I’m very excited.
  • NFL draft this weekend.
  • how awkward but wonderful my honeymoon is going to be.
Needless to say my brain has no limits on days like these. I am so grateful for time to unwind and relax for about 3 hours. It was so incredibly refreshing.
Take some time to unwind and relax your brain it makes a difference to everyone in your life.

Preparation is most of the battle

April 22, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

As most of you children’s workers out there know, summer time is a big time for children’s ministry. From camp, to VBS (or whatever you call it), and ending with another big recruiting pitch to volunteers. For the first time I get to be in on the ground floor. 

Before I go any further, I have said for the first time about 50 times now in this blog over the past two weeks so I will try to pull back a bit. Anyway

 

I, being mostly involved with the tech side of the programming in the Children’s ministry, get to be in on the creative meetings, the ideas and brainstorming that makes everything move forward. From graphics to materials and most importantly people, there is alot of work that goes into our programming. I wanted to know from you guys: What is your creative process? Does it come from a meeting or random emailing, teleconferences or what? Do you free write or discuss potential ideas? I want to know what gets your creative juices flowing.

Check this out

April 20, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I wanted you guys to check out this video on Children’s ministry. I thought it was put together very well and talked about some interesting things. I don’t agree with everything said I do think that it should either alter the way you look at student and children’s ministry or it should at least motivate you to reach people around you with the gospel and partner with those around you to figure out how to do it better.
Video about the work we must do

 

I got this from Just Thinking Children’s Ministry
 

 

Ministry and Marriage

April 20, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

I love the time I have alone to spend with God in the morning. I don’t want you to think I spend like 3 hours in a secluded closet, because I don’t. But I try to devote about 20 minutes in the morning completely isolated (which is easy when you live in a basement, hahaha) alone with God. 

Today I just reflected on everything that is going to happen in the next few weeks. A new place to live, new furniture, new bathroom, and a new wife. Today is (our:) ) Kristen’s first shower. It is still amazing to see everything that is going on. I am amazed by what God is doing in our lives. 

Not only that but in 1 Samuel today, the people complained about the leadership and demanded a king. Instead of waiting for God to call a leader to reign over them they wanted to do it their own way and choose one themselves. I am so glad for where I am at in my life right now. God Himself placed me in the position that I am in. He took my plans and erased them and told me: “J.C. those are ok but how bout these, I like these better.” He was so right. One day I will write a post explaining how all of this happened but as for right now I am just going to reflect in God’s call.

Tell me about some time where God allowed you to reflect on something that happened in your life.

Case of the Mondays

April 14, 2008 in Lead, Life 0

Usually I am chipper on Mondays. I love to work and feel like I accomplished something. But today I am not my usual upbeat little self. I had a very tiring weekend: Wedding Bands and Apartment searching.

I felt exhausted on Sunday night but got to chill for just a little bit with Kristen and the Bradleys. It was a nice to time to relax and then I had to go to sleep in order to get enough rest for work and I don’t think that I accomplished that goal. Needless to say I didn’t start off the week well.

However, reading in 1 Samuel was encouraging and I was intrigued by some things. Make sure that you always stay the course. Compromise will take you down a path you don’t want to flesh out. Don’t settle or get lazy work your butt off to make sure you are obeying God and growing in your faith.

I feel like tommorrow will be better. Macbook Pro came in today and it is almost in my hands to get my creative juices flowing.

out

It’s all about the kids…

April 10, 2008 in Family Ministry, Lead 0

We are running a survey and the results are coming back from the volunteers. I want give you anything too specific but I will tell you this answer that isn’t really shocking but it will tell you alot about your volunteers.

We asked an open ended question about the what is their favorite part about volunteering in the Children’s ministry. The answers: about 85%-90% their favorite part had to do with the kids… another 7-8% had to do with the relationships between the volunteers themselves.

There are alot of other telling things about this survey that I think we all realize deep down inside but we don’t focus on them as much as “We have to fill this need”. But what we don’t realize is that God has to provide the volunteers and we must minister to them. They love the kids that is why they volunteer. The lack of motivation and development is why they leave. Period.

Where are you at in relation to your volunteers? Are you making them better? Or are they on the backburner cuz now that they have filled a spot you move onto the next hole?

Crazy stuff huh?

out

Pre-Marital Counseling

April 9, 2008 in Lead, Life 1

Kristen and I have been in pre-marital counseling during the last week just talking and trying to figure out what to experience before we actually experience it. We are reading two books currently: One for our counseling sessions called “Saving your marriage before it starts” it talks about expectations, conflict resolution, and positive attitude and the other is called “Sheet Music” which is all about sexual intimacy in marriage. That book is seperated into two parts one for pre marriage and one for after you are married.

I have learned alot over the last couple of days and I am so glad for it. I can’t wait to get married almost exactly one month away in case you were wondering but I want to be the best husband and eventually father that I can be and the learning experiences are essential for preparation.

Needless to say its going great, our mentoring couple is awesome, our books are great, and we are learning more about one another through this process. I am ready for May 10th.

Backsliding

December 12, 2007 in Lead 0

Well basically those that commented are on the same page as I am. Number one and the core of this doctrine that we must look at is the finality of salvation. Salvation cannot be lost. The only scriptures that suggest sanctification without salvation are those of the husband that lives with his Christian wife and is so close to salvation because of the example given by her. So first we know that our salvation cannot be lost there is too common a theme and too many verses to overcome to argue that point.And secondly we know that we must exemplify the qualities of Christ.And none of those qualities include sin.So we see the warnings against sin throughout the Bible and yet no example in the New Testament of someone falling into sin??? Where is the connection? Seems very interesting and that is where I will stop. I have learned that more importantly than finding the answer to this question is to pursue the course around the question itself? Maybe the answer will be of importance but strive to be Godly in every way possible and pray that God would have mercy on us as we grow and understand His world and the implications that we felt. After all God judges Christians on our actions “Where are yours geared towards?” acting for or in behalf of people’s needs and our Savior’s glory or finding how to feel better about one’s self instead of moving on in faith??? anyway sorry for such a long wait for such a simple answer… 

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