Monday, May 31, 2010
Book Review- God's Promises for Boys
The concept of the book is quite basic. The book is divided into sections (God's Promises When...; God's Promises About Jesus; and five others). In support of each promise, the authors include a four-line poem, a cartoon illustration by Richard Watson that relates to the promise and 3-4 verses from the International Children's Bible.
Upon receiving the book, I was surprised there was not more to it. After reading the book, I felt the same way. While the Scriptures listed are always applicable (not just for boys, but people of all ages), I expected more than a book of brief poems, possibly a book containing inspiring biographical sketches or stories of fulfilled promises. This book might be best used as a conversation starter with young boys. I've shared the book with my sons and we have used it in our nightly devotional time on occasion but I do not anticipate that it will become part of our regular rotation before bedtime.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Fun on Friday
Speaking of Mountain Dew, I would not suggest brushing your teeth and then immediately starting to drink a Dew. Just not pleasant.
I wonder what percentage of its programming that ESPN spends on Brett Favre and LeBron James updates. I realize those guys are megastars but I'd like to watch one SportsCenter without a segment on those two.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Great Quote Thursday
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Just Do It- James 5 (Patience and Perseverance)
James 5:8 tells us to "establish your hearts", some translations say to "strengthen your hearts". Why? For the long haul, for the long run. To be patient and persevere. Because the coming of the Lord is near.
It's so tempting to want instant success. To want microwaved results. It's so difficult to wait and be patient.
But it takes time for seeds to germinate and flower. It takes a long time before a sapling provides shade. We must think long-term, not simply for the moment.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Innovate Conference- Ergun Caner/Jim Cymbala
Ergun Caner is the President of Liberty Theological Seminary. His session at Innovate included the following:
- We are united by doctrine, devotion and direction
- The enemy of ministry is bureaucracy
- Your scars tell your story. Yet we tend to want to hide our scars.
- Rather than seeking answers in Scripture, we often look for new paradigms of what is "working" elsewhere
- In Jeremiah's day, the false prophets had the biggest crowds while the true prophet was not listened to. Crowds are not a sign of God's approval. They do not validate a ministry.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Innovate Conference- Jack Graham/Brian Bloye
- Your character is more important than your reputation. Praying is more important than preaching. A message is more important than a sermon. Being credible is more important than being credentialed. Faithfulness is more important than success. Eternity is more important than earth.
- People are not looking for perfection but progression.
- Don't just get things done, be passionate.
- Prayerlessness promotes independence and self-reliance.
- Ways to show you care: be approachable; have a "yes" face; offer positive praise; say thank you; know names; be accepting; be prompt
- Sometimes God sets us aside to strengthen and refine use; don't bail on the process.
- God is more concerned with maturing me and developing my character than about my comfort
- Sometimes what God does is in answer to our prayers
- A dry brook is often a sign of God's pleasure, not His disappointment in my life
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Innovate Conference- Mark Batterson/Ed Stetzer
- The only thing more dangerous than asking God what He wants to do with your life is not asking Him that question.
- We learn how and forget why.
- We don't really want spiritual maturity but rather self-sufficiency and then to call it spiritual maturity.
- If God gives the vision, He will provide the provision. Don't let budget determine vision. Have vision beyond your resources. Don't let human circumstance define the sovereignty of God.
- Don't do ministry out of memory but out of imagination.
- In the church, we've grown accustomed to recruiting instead of reconciliation. We're called to reconciliation. That is called evangelism. Evangelism is not simply inviting people to church.
- Outreach can become the enemy of evangelism when the preaching of Christ is not the goal. We must go and tell, not simply be attractional. We're called to be, do and tell Good News.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Innovate Conference- Chuck Swindoll
Earlier this week, I attended the Innovate Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. Over the next several posts, I will share some of my notes from the conference sessions.
Chuck Swindoll, the former President of Dallas Theological Seminary, has served in ministry for over 50 years and currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. Here is some of what he shared in his session:
Know who you are; accept who you are; be who you are
Retirement is an American dream not a Christian dream
Every day is not a fantastic or great day. Some days are okay. Be honest. Tell the truth. Some days are hard.
According to I Corinthians 4: 1-2, if you are involved in ministry, you are called to be a servant and a steward. Servant meaning "under rower"; a ship does not move unless someone is moving the oars. Steward meaning "housekeeper"; the hungry and thirsty are not fed unless someone prepares. In ministry, we must keep our oars in the water (do the work and serve) and take time to prepare meals (to feed those with spiritual needs).
Four constant reminders in ministry:
1. Guard your imagination
2. Restrain all rationalization
3. Leave no room in ministry for deception
4. Always ask what is my motive?
Friday, May 21, 2010
Fun on Friday- The Ice Cream Man
Now, granted, it's decades later and times have changed. But I now see the ice cream man in an entirely different way than when I was a kid. Since my Mom is all about safety, I'm sure buying ice cream from the ice cream man seemed like an okay thing to do when I was a child. But in 2010?
Think about this:
1.Usually a van that cruises the local park looking for children is considered a bad thing. More like a "hey, call the police" kind of thing.
2. Under what other circumstances do we so freely allow our children to speak to strangers?
3. In what other scenario do we purchase food products of such unknown origin?
4. Do these guys have any certification from the health department?
5. Why is the van always a cargo van with no windows or if the van does have windows, why are they always covered with stickers?
6. Why were the guys in the ice cream van I saw at a park last week so rough looking, like they just got out of prison?
7. Where exactly do they get a copy of the carousel/calliope music they blast out of the loud speaker atop the van? That music has not changed in years.
Just something to think about the next time you see the ice cream man and his van drive through your subdivision or local park.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Just Do It- James 4 (Doing vs. Not Doing)
We often think of our sin in terms of the bad/evil/wrong things that we do. The church phrase for those sins are sins of comission. Things we do. Sins we commit. But this week I was struck by the power of James 4: 17: "So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn't do it, it is a sin". These are sometimes known as sins of omission. These are easier for us to overlook. Easier for us to ignore. But God doesn't.
Comission vs. omission. Doing vs. not doing. We must remember that not doing the right things is just as bad as doing the wrong things.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Fun on Friday
Why is Betty White all over TV and the Internet right now? Is there a Golden Girls reunion in the works?
Wow, did the Cleveland Cavaliers crash or what?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Great Quote Thursday
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Just Do It- James 3 (Wisdom For Marriage)
Much of James chapter 3 deals with the struggles in controlling the tongue (our words, our speech). But at the end of the chapter, the text adjusts to address the need for heavenly wisdom as opposed to earthly wisdom:
V. 16-18: "For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace".
Our class is comprised of young married couples as well as engaged couples (two couples are getting married next weekend). And while this passage is not specifically dealing with marriage, the qualities listed are certainly excellent wisdom for marriage.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday's Coming
Friday, May 7, 2010
Fun on Friday- Put It Up
Our house, with a 6 year old boy and an almost 3 year old boy, is full of activity. And full of trains. And balls. And toys. And art supplies. To say that frequent effort is made to keep things in order would be an understatement.
This past week, the following conversation occurred:
Tonya: What about these books?
Parker: You didn't tell me to pick up those.
So as a result of the above conversation, my wife began reminding our sons of the need to put things back in their place using the following mantra:
If you get it out, put it up.
If you see it out, put it up.
If you didn't get it out, put it up.
We'll see if this helps the cause.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Book Review- John Maxwell's The Right To Lead
Maxwell notes 7 characteristics (Action, Vision, Sacrifice, Risk, Determination, Service and Integrity) that are the marks of exceptional leaders. He notes that, ultimately, it is the character of an individual that makes them a good leader.
If you are a fan of Maxwell's material, you'll be interested in this book. It might make a good gift for a soon-to-be-graduate that you know. But don't expect anything really new.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Just Do It- James 2 (Bad Sins vs. Okay Sins)
James 2:10 tells us: "For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point, is guilty of (breaking it) all" (HCSB). Since that's true, why do so many followers of Christ think in terms of "Bad" sins and "Okay" sins? Why do many Christians consider murder, adultery and rape as horrible sins (and they are) but these same people have no trouble with anger, questionable language or overeating?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Book Review- Pete Wilson's Plan B
One of my favorite chapters is Me Too where Wilson addresses how helpful it is to know someone previously has gone through what you're going through right now.
If you have a friend, as I do, who is currently working through a Plan B situation, I would suggest you recommend this book to them. I'm giving my friend my copy.