Revitalize Your Church

A great post by Jeremy Mavis on why sending your kids to Bible Camp is a great idea!

An interesting article by Christian Piatt

"We should never forget that the purpose of theology is doxology; we study in order to praise.  The truest expression of trust in God will always be worship to praise God for being greater than we know." --  Geneva Study Bible notes

What if we viewed each day as a Treasure Hunt?  What if, in our early morning prayers, God revealed little clues leading us to people He treasures -- sort of a Divine Treasure Map?  What if we went forth eagerly to bless, encourage and serve?  What if we went forth boldly, filled with Holy Love?  What if we viewed life as a daily adventure with God rather than a burden to be endured?  What if the chance meetings along the way were really Divine Appointments? Wouldn't that make a difference in how we act and react?  Wouldn't that change our attitude?  Wouldn't the world be a better place if all Christians had that perspective?

"A leader is a person who must take special responsibility for what's going on inside of himself or herself. . . lest the act of leadership creates more harm than good." --  Parker Palmer

So, where was Jesus hanging out on Holy Saturday?

Looking forward to speaking at Camp Forest Springs today, to a large group of senior citizens.  I like speaking to the Golden Agers.  They call me "young feller."  Unlike, when I went to speak at a college a while back, and in the lunchline, I overheard a coed whisper, "Who's the OLD guy?"

The past is a nice place to visit from time to time -- but it's a crummy place to live. Sometimes, we see a television show or visit a museum exhibit showing life a couple hundred years ago. Perhaps, you've thought, "Those were the good old days! I wish we could go back and live like that." I don't think you really do. A couple hundred years ago the life expectancy was 38 years, the average work week was 72 hours, and the median annual income was $300. Cholera, typhoid and yellow fever were common. For instance, one out of five people in Philadelphia in 1793 died from these diseases. Many women died in childbirth, and the flu also claimed the lives of many. Almost every home experienced the sorrow of losing a child. No internet, indoor plumbing, refrigerators, or microwaves. No soft mattresses, electric heat, lights, cars, television, recorded music, Tupperware, air conditioning, soft drinks, milkshakes or cheeseburgers. Everybody milked their own ...

I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: . . . I want to know one thing—the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me.  -- John Wesley

If you're struggling to discern God's will your life. . .  If you're confused about what God wants you to do, it may be helpful to consider the consider the clues in Psalm 100: 1)  Shout for joy. 2)  Worship the Lord with gladness. 3)  Enter His presence with singing. 4)  Know that the Lord is God (and that means you're not!) 5)  Realize that you are His -- and this is His pasture. 6)  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. 7)  Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 8)  Always remember, the Lord is good, and His love endures forever. 9)  Rest in His faithfulness, that continues through all generations. Troubles come and troubles go -- but the love of the Lord lasts forever!

Some folks are like sandpaper. Everywhere they go, they rub people the wrong way. An individual may be highly intelligent, hard working , willing to go the extra mile -- but still fail because of an abraisive personality. I've often wondered, how do they sabotage themselves? Is it just the way they're wired, or can they do something about it? Although we are born with certian "grit" which make us more or less people-oriented, I firmly believe that anyone can get along with just about anybody, if they follow a few basic relationship rules: 1. Focus on the Positive. You will find plenty of negative things about people if you look for them. Instead, go mining for the positive -- and you will find that too! 2. Never go fishing with a Crabapple for Bait. You have to be friendly if you want people to be friendly to you. You can't expect to keep many friends if you are always grousing. (Negative folks do keep some friends -- negative ones!) 3. Follow...

Here is an excerpt from my recently published book, Filled Up, Poured Out: How God’s Spirit Can Revive Your Passion and Purpose. The book is available locally at God’s Country Christian Bookstore, or you can track me down to obtain a copy. I’ll be giving a presentation on the power of story and the writing process at the Weiss Community Library in Hayward at 6:30 p.m. on May 31. I will be available to sign books afterwards. So, now that we’ve paused for the commercial interruption, here’s the excerpt: In Wisconsin’s northwoods, all the Wesleyans walk on water. So do the Baptists, Lutherans and Catholics. Shoot, we don’t just walk on water – we drive on it! Every February! Each winter, little makeshift ice fishing villages pop up everywhere on area lakes. I’ve considered holding church out there on the ice, but the board hasn’t gone along with me yet. I figure we can convert a few anglers, drill a big hole, and baptize them with bungee cords. We’ll ...

"Life is a journey of affections, which is meant to bring us to our true homeland in God." -- St. Augustine, (as paraphrased by William Dyrness in Fuller Seminary's Theology, News and Notes.)

This sequence of pictures shows the toll 191 losses has taken on Oriole's second baseman, Robert Andino . I wonder how many pastors can relate to that.

Some startling insights regarding emotional health and the ministry from Ron Edmonson.

I'm scheduled to be on the Good Morning Show tomorrow morning on Nashville's 760 AM talk radio, hosted by my friend, David Gould, and Rachael Sain.  We'll be discussing my new book, Filled Up, Poured Out: How God's Spirit Can Revive Your Passion and Purpose. I'll be on shortly after 7:15 AM Central Time.

"It will be filled with shouting, dancing, speaking in tongues, serpent handling and fire handling," said 21-year-old pastor, Andrew Hamblin, of the Tabernacle Church of God. "We'll celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a good old time!" A few rattlesnakes will certain spice up an Easter Service .

Click Here to read Chapter One of Filled Up, Poured Out:  How God's Spirit Can Revive Your Passion and Purpose. Available Now! Amazon Google Books Like on Facebook

Most of us are less than candid. We don’t want to hurt feelings or upset people, so we keep quiet and let troubling things slide by. Of course, we’re taught that from childhood. Parents and teachers said “good boys and girls stay in their places with zipped lips.” “Tattle tale” is the worst possible childhood crime. This mindset is reinforced in the workplace, where people who rock the boat often receive the boot. Most bosses are more concerned about “keeping peace” than “making things right.” Of course, as Teddy Roosevelt said, “There is no unrighteous peace.” Thus, the whole environment becomes a haze of unspoken tension and discontent. The very peace we’re trying to attain by silence eludes us. Usually, everybody knows the issue, but nobody wants to talk about “the elephant in the room.” We’re like the villagers in Hans Christian Anderson’s tale, who gawked at their emperor strutting his stuff in the buff, believing he was fully clothed. It took a guileless child to point out ...

A good word for pastors from Priscilla Hammond: Whether you had thousands or are still waiting on the one, the thing that matters most isn't how creative your marketing collateral or relevant your message or quick your follow-up. On this day after Resurrection Sunday, can you say this? I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 40:10 (NLT) Her entire post is excellent -- and especially helpful for Easter Monday.

HT Margaret Feinberg

“It is finished!” Those were the words Jesus Christ uttered as he hung, dying, on the cross. “It is finished!” What could he have possibly meant? Failure Words? At first glance, one might wonder if these were words of despair – quitting words. “It is finished! It’s a hopeless cause! I’ve failed! I quit!” It would certainly be understandable if that’s what Jesus meant. Just think: he suffered the greatest injustice in human history. He lived a spotless life, but was sentenced to a traitor’s death. He came to love – but was hated. He came to help – but was rejected. He came to heal – but was broken He came to forgive – but was despised. He came to bless – but was cursed. . He came to bring life – but was brought death Stepping into darkness and bearing another’s burden is difficult enough. It becomes nearly impossible, however, when the person who needs the help rejects it. You could hardly blame Jesus if he had meant “I’ve had enough and I give up” when he said “It is ...

Google is testing a new product:  Augmented Reality Glasses.  I'd love to get a pair. Of course, viewing life through the lens of the Holy Spirit is the ultimate augmented reality!

As a pastor, I am called on to say a prayer several times each day.  My prayers, as Adolph Bedsole noted in Parson to Parson, can be summed up in the following categories: 1.  Ritualistic Praying: This is saying prayers as a part of the pastoral function.  Prayers in worship services and other ministry settings. 2.  Routine Praying: Prayers for meals.  The prayers spoken as a regular pattern of life. 3.  Official Praying: Prayers at civic functions such as graduations, house blessings and ski races.  4.  Emergency Praying: At times of crisis and deep need -- an urgent calling upon the Lord. 5.  Praying on the Run: Maintaining a spirit of prayer as you navigate the day's events and circumstances. 6.  Praying in the Closet (Praying Deep):  Carving out extended time with the Lord to drink deeply from the spiritual well. ALL pastors engage in the first four kinds of praying.  Many actively participate in #5...

Prayers requested for Chuck Colson who is in critical condition after emergency surgery.

It is significant that Jesus prayed from the cross. Here he was, experiencing the worst torture a human being can endure, and through it all – he prayed.   Most of us, in that moment of anguish, would succumb to the suffering, and our prayers would be diminished to one word: “Help!” Looking back upon the worst moments of my life, I’d have to say “Help!” is the most sincere prayer I’ve ever uttered.   Yet, Jesus went beyond a prayer for help at Golgotha . His prayers from the cross reveal the intensity of his pain – yet, a deep love pouring from his heart. Instead of being consumed with himself, he turned his focus to God and others.   The old adage states, “We all have our cross to bear.” In our moments of anguish, we can look to Jesus, and see how he responded in his darkest valley. A review of Good Friday events shows that Jesus did three things: 1) He pressed into prayer. 2) He poured out love. 3) He surrende...

Artie Davis shares a great way to organize a sermon.

Here's an article I wrote for Light and Life Magazine, listing some good things the rural church has to offer:  Rural Church Relevance.

This morning at church, reflecting on Christ's question, "Could you not tarry with me one hour?", I challenged the congregation to spend an hour in prayer sometime this week.  The church sanctuary will be open from 6 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday specifically for this purpose. In case you're wondering what to do with the other 58 minutes, here's a handy guide from Dick Eastman's Hour that Changes the World .  Powerful stuff -- and the best guide for an hour's praying I've ever encountered.

An African Good Friday Benediction by Bishop Emmanuel Koliny of Rwanda: Minister: All our problems . . . People: We send them to the cross of Christ! Minister: All our difficulties . . . People: We send them to the cross of Christ! Minister: All the devil's work . . . People: We send them to the cross of Christ! Minister: All our hopes . . . People: We set on the risen Christ! Minister: Christ, the Son of Righteousness, shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path: and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you, forever and ever. Amen. A Good Friday reflection by Richard John Nehaus: Many years later, I was on a program with a famous evangelist from California who had built a huge cathedral designed by a famous architect. He said there had been a debate about whether the cathedral should have a cross. Some people thought the cross an excessively gloomy symbol. "I said that of course there will be ...