A Good "Blog" Word From A Friend

This afternoon I received a call from a colleague in the pastorate who serves a large church in an urban setting. He just needed to talk. As he was in his office this morning finishing up the preparations for the funeral of a church member, someone walked into his office and interrupted him to complain about something from the worship service the day before. My friend handled it with grace and tried to get back to the funeral service. When he called me, he was in his car on the way to the graveside.
It happened that my devotional this morning provided a word of encouragement and I shared it with him. It talks about two kinds of people: fire lighters, who encourage you; and fire extinguishers, who will throw cold water on you. They can rob your passion. Fire lighters focus on how to inspire but fire extinguishers would rather focus on what's wrong rather than what's right. Sadly, most of us spend more of our time dwelling on the latter rather than the former. Perhaps God's word for my friend and for us all is to focus on the people who encourage and let God handle the rest. Life is difficult enough. Don't let anyone extinguish your passion. Like Jeremiah, ask God to light your heart afire -- "His word is in my heart like a fire" (Jeremiah 20:9, NIV). Blessings, Pastor Bob
source: God's Word for You Today, May 19, 2008

Romans 12:1-21

1Therefore, 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. 2Do 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.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Leadership Thoughts

Leaders and leadership teams need to take time away each month or if needed more often to sit still with a pad and pen or laptop and give some thought to what is happening on their team, in their business, in the organization they are serving or in the church they are leading. Think about the purpose of the organization and the values the organization is to be fleshing out and then think through the following in order to help in the evaluation process.

1. Assess what is happening

2. Affirm what is good

3. Adjust what needs to change

Mental Health Will Do You Some Good

The following was sent to me via the net. Have Fun. Exercising the following can help your family be physically and mentally healthier.

1. Eat dinner together

2. Get some exercise

3. Go to the zoo or museum together

4. Take a walk togehter

5. Watch a movie together

6. Get enough rest

7. Pack healthy lunches

8. Read a book togehter

9. Plan a picninc together

10. Take a short "get away" vacation

How To Stop Family Bickering

Examine Yourself First
Look in the mirror and do self examination and seek to be sure you are not the source for the bickering and the catalyst of family bickering. Seek to be a positive person and learn to speak in ways that are encouraging and uplifting.
Stop It Before It Begins
Begin to watch and learn what may trigger some of the family bickering. If you see patterns that are causes for family conflict work to communicate these patterns with your family and see them come to an end.
Speak Words That Are Positive
It is important that positive and encouraging words are spoken in the family unit on a regular basis. Practice this behavior yourself and train your children to do the same.
Allow For Growth
Bickering will occur in your family. Do not allow for it to continue, but do make the most of the bickering and learn to settle differences and allow for growth to happen as family members grow and learn new communication skills and lifestyle behaviors.
Pray and Pray and Pray Some More
Stay in tune with God. Pray for peace in your family. Keep on praying.

Good Family Communication

1. Think before you speak.
2. Stress the positive.
3. When you have to deal with the negative, do it in a positive , matter-of-fact way.
4. Take time with your spouse and children.
5. Always communicate love, even if you dislike something you spouse or children my be doing.
6. When you "blow it" ask for forgiveness.
7. When others "blow it" forgive them.
8. Listen with your ears and your body language.
9. Encourage one another.
10. Slow down and enjoy your time togehter.

Remember

17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed.
Deuteronomy 8:17-19

Porch Time

Sat on the porch this morn thinking about God, life, family, church, friends, death, love, God's goodness, my son's B-Day (he's now 15), and various other topics, but mainly about God. His Holiness. His Power. His Kingdom. His Money and Property that I think are mine. How he brought Ruth (my wife) into my life. His Creation. His Care and Compassion. His Forgiveness. His Joy. My thought time is often interrupted by "roof brain chatter" and I have to refocus quiet often in order to stay on GOD and not on me and my life and how God can help me and my life. Please understand I do pray for me and my life, but this morn I wanted to focus on God and His Glory in some personal worship time. Praise The Lord. Praise The Lord. That sounds a little corny and cheesy, yet it is where I needed to be this morn and more often.

One Another

John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Romans 12:10 - "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:16 - "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."
Romans 13:8 - "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law."
Romans 14:13 - "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way."

Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
Romans 15:14 - "I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another."
Romans 16:16 - "Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."
1 Corinthians 1:10 - "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 5:19 - "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."
Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

For SCC - 5-18-08 The Challenge of Parenting and Communicating

The following is from the message Scott Salsman shared during the service. Parents need to help their children understand these truths.

Five Truths All Young People Need To Know

1. You matter

2. You are loved

3. You must choose your friends wisely; they will shape your life.

4. You must work for a fulfilled life.

5. You must remember your steps take you somewhere.

Parenting takes a great deal of effort. Time, communication and being involved in your child's life are very important as you seek to help your child/children understand these truths.

Funday on Sunday

Funday on Sunday was a great time. The combined service at 11:00 was well attended and the drama, music, DVD Clip and message were right on target. The food was good and there was plenty of it. Thanks Grill Masters and Kitchen Masters. The time outside playing and having fun was exciting and there were smiles on all the faces. Thanks to all who helped. May we keep having fun together.

Fair Fighting

I am doing some reading and thinking about this coming Sunday's (5-25-08) message and have just come across a list of "Rules for a Fair Fight". It is helpful information that will be beneficial to friendships, marriages and families. The list is to be applied when working through conflict in a relationship and desiring a healthy, mutual agreement so that the relationship can grow and be a vibrant experience for all involved. have fun learning and growing.

1. Identify the issue.

2. Choose the right time.

3. Choose the right place.

4. Begin with a positive stroke.

5. Stick to the issue.

6. Do not bring up the past.

7. Do not hit below the belt.

8. Take the other seriously.

9. Express anger nonabusively.

10. Do not play games.

11. Do not be passively aggresive.

12. Avoid asking for explanation of behaviors.

13. Avoid labeling and name calling.

14. Avoid Triangles (Do not bring others in to conflict you are seeking to settle).

This is good stuff. This is taken from The Family by Jack and Judith Balswick.

youversion.com

Great site and tool. Do this and grow. See the link.
http://www.youversion.com

Leadership Thought

"It is not enough to do your best; you must know what to do, and then do your best."
- W. Edwards Deming

Thursday's Thought

"It is a great thing to talk to men about God; it is greater still to talk to God about men."
E.M. Bounds

God's Call

1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.
The Call of Jeremiah 4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.
9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.

Back in the Fall of 1984 these were the verses God used to help confirm His call and involvement in my life. Note the words "His call". God is in control even when I think He is not. I really need to focus on trusting Him and honoring Him and others with the life He has given me. Thank God for life and "His call".

Media

The Apostle Paul wanted to get to Rome because it was the epicenter of the world and he knew the gospel would and could flow to the world from there. I think the internet is the epicenter of the world today and we as follwers of JC need to get the gospel there to change the world and advance God's Kingdom.

Good time this morn at a brief conf. Check out http://www.churchymedia.com/ and http://www.naba.tv/

It will be well worth your time.

Cards

Just came in from a sweet 2 hr. conf. and mexican for lunch with 2 very encouraging and helpful friends. Good time. The mail box was full. Went thru the mail and read B-day cards. FUNNY and GRACIOUS. I mean I was LOL, hehehe, and grinnin' big. Fun stuff. I serve a church with some very gracious people. They cannot remember Sunday's messages (neither can I), but they sure can remember my B-day (that I appreciate).

Birthday

Today is my birthday. Thought I would share what makes life a little more enjoyable than norm for me.

The Outdoors

Morning Coffee & Afternoon Latte

Chap StickPeople Accepting Christ

God

The Beach

My Children

My Wife

This is not a comprehensive list. But these are some facets of my life that bring joy to my heart. Take a few minutes to make a mental list of the things that bring joy to your heart and thank God for them right now. have fun.

Inspiring

"I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if that's what you want to know," he said. "Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

John Challis

Read the article at this link
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08125/878966-85.stm