We arrived back yesterday from the Tulsa Workshop. It is more than a weekend...as it spans Thursday through Saturday, arriving on Wednesday and coming home on Sunday.
This was like none I'd never experienced before. The short of it is that Friday it was rainy and Saturday it was very snowy (6-8 inches). The other side of the experience was that I had my first official time to speak...not once but all three days! I could go on about how that has humbled me more than puffed me up, but I won't.
As usual, the speakers were great! Very encouraging, motivating, and filling for my spirit. It started off on Wednesday night with a great time at Memorial Drive, hosting their "final" Feeding of the 5,000 (as next year Wednesday night will be at the Fairgrounds). Then, Thursday morning is an awesome time to meet in the Workshop Director's office and have a preacher's forum. This is probably my favorite part of the workshop. This time was followed up by the shepherds of Memorial praying over us...that was so cool!
The rest of Thursday was good as I had the chance to see many people I hadn't seen in a while. Friday was a great day, also. Saturday...was snowy...which didn't make the speakers any less great, but it did scare a lot of people away.
If you were there you experienced much of what I experienced. If you weren't there, you missed a great time and I hope you will think about coming next year with the theme...The Journey: Pressing on to the Goal.
Counting down the days till next March!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wonderful Workshop!
I am just hours into the Tulsa Workshop. The largest gathering for Churches of Christ in the world. There will be 10,000+ people come through here this weekend (Thursday-Saturday). More importantly, God will be lifted up through every word spoken and song sung!
It is the greatest few days of my ministry year! I leave so excited every year! I can't wait till next year, before I leave for the current year.
This year is special for a selfish reason. I have been asked to speak, not once or twice, but all three days! I am anxious. Pray for me as I try to help people/churches to use technology to honor Him and expand the Kingdom. I speak Thursday at 4:00 PM, Friday & Saturday at 10:00 AM. If you can remember, pray during these times, specifically.
It was an honor to be asked and I pray that God has anointed me with words that will benefit those who attend and those who by the CD recordings of these classes.
Have a great rest of the week!
Being fed...
It is the greatest few days of my ministry year! I leave so excited every year! I can't wait till next year, before I leave for the current year.
This year is special for a selfish reason. I have been asked to speak, not once or twice, but all three days! I am anxious. Pray for me as I try to help people/churches to use technology to honor Him and expand the Kingdom. I speak Thursday at 4:00 PM, Friday & Saturday at 10:00 AM. If you can remember, pray during these times, specifically.
It was an honor to be asked and I pray that God has anointed me with words that will benefit those who attend and those who by the CD recordings of these classes.
Have a great rest of the week!
Being fed...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Who is That Guy?
Being new creates opportunities to be introduced. However, it also creates intrigue and curiosity as to who someone may be.
The other day, I was at the Lenten Brown Bag and at the conclusion of the program a man and woman were talking. I heard her say to the gentleman, “Who is that guy?” It was kind of an awkward moment for her, I think, because I heard her and she was pretty sure I heard her. As she said, “I think he heard me” to the gentleman after I passed. The gentleman didn’t know who I was, as he wasn’t there last week and neither was she.
I don’t know if it was sheer curiosity or what it was that caused her to ask that question. It reminded me of a great show that I used to watch reruns of and at the end the people would as “Who was that masked man?” Do you remember? He was also known as “Kemo Sabe” (That was the best spelling I could research). You know him better as “The Lone Ranger”.
It was a great show, where he would come in, befriend the good guy, make enemies with the bad guys and eventually take care of the problem, then leave the situation. All the while creating much curiosity among the locals.
Another person this reminds me of…Jesus. He healed many people and they looked at Him with total curiosity. The apostles on the boat, during the storm, even asked that question, “Who is this guy, that even the winds and the waves obey him?” They might have known who He was, technically, but they were blown away at the fact that wind and waves would calm down at the deliverance of His command.
Do people have the same reaction when you come/leave a place? Do they wonder who you are? Did you do something that caught them off guard that they want to know who you are? We are to be lights in a dark world. May God bless you with opportunities this week to pique people’s attention that causes them to say “Who is that guy/girl?”
The other day, I was at the Lenten Brown Bag and at the conclusion of the program a man and woman were talking. I heard her say to the gentleman, “Who is that guy?” It was kind of an awkward moment for her, I think, because I heard her and she was pretty sure I heard her. As she said, “I think he heard me” to the gentleman after I passed. The gentleman didn’t know who I was, as he wasn’t there last week and neither was she.
I don’t know if it was sheer curiosity or what it was that caused her to ask that question. It reminded me of a great show that I used to watch reruns of and at the end the people would as “Who was that masked man?” Do you remember? He was also known as “Kemo Sabe” (That was the best spelling I could research). You know him better as “The Lone Ranger”.
It was a great show, where he would come in, befriend the good guy, make enemies with the bad guys and eventually take care of the problem, then leave the situation. All the while creating much curiosity among the locals.
Another person this reminds me of…Jesus. He healed many people and they looked at Him with total curiosity. The apostles on the boat, during the storm, even asked that question, “Who is this guy, that even the winds and the waves obey him?” They might have known who He was, technically, but they were blown away at the fact that wind and waves would calm down at the deliverance of His command.
Do people have the same reaction when you come/leave a place? Do they wonder who you are? Did you do something that caught them off guard that they want to know who you are? We are to be lights in a dark world. May God bless you with opportunities this week to pique people’s attention that causes them to say “Who is that guy/girl?”
Monday, March 23, 2009
Believes - John 11:25
There is so much mentioned in the news today that one may have a difficult time of knowing what to believe and what not to believe. You pass news/magazine stands and see the headlines and you must make a decision on what to believe. As a side note, I get a kick out of people who pick up the tabloids because they have "inquiring minds". You turn on the television and can go through the same struggles of deciphering truth from farces.
With all that we read, see, and hear in our society that makes us cautious and/or skeptical, it is no wonder that some people have a hard time believing in God/Jesus. "Man created by dust, woman by a rib...c'mon, what kind of a science experiment is this? One man's death can take away the wrong doings of anyone who puts their faith in Him and is baptized...you've got to be kidding. There's no way I'm going to put my faith in any man, they'll just disappoint me."
However, we're called, challenged, and expected to believe this. No matter how "out there" it may seem to put our faith in Him, that is the only way the world is going to be able to regain the Glory that sin takes away. As we looked at believing yesterday, here are some additional applications to choose from this week...
May others see your beliefs in action and want to be a part of what you are a part of, even if they do not know it yet that they want to be a part of it.
Believing in Him...
With all that we read, see, and hear in our society that makes us cautious and/or skeptical, it is no wonder that some people have a hard time believing in God/Jesus. "Man created by dust, woman by a rib...c'mon, what kind of a science experiment is this? One man's death can take away the wrong doings of anyone who puts their faith in Him and is baptized...you've got to be kidding. There's no way I'm going to put my faith in any man, they'll just disappoint me."
However, we're called, challenged, and expected to believe this. No matter how "out there" it may seem to put our faith in Him, that is the only way the world is going to be able to regain the Glory that sin takes away. As we looked at believing yesterday, here are some additional applications to choose from this week...
- Take some time to examine what you believe and why you believe it - everything from why we practice certain things to Jesus being for real.
- Pray that you will never lose your core beliefs, but that God will always mold you into learning new things to believe
- Jesus tells Martha, "I am the Resurrection and the Life, whoever believes this, though he dies, he shall live...Do you believe this?" What is your response to this? How far does it take you in your convictions? Pray that you will be convicted to stand up for your beliefs when needed.
- Let your beliefs be a billboard for other people to see your faith in Him!
May others see your beliefs in action and want to be a part of what you are a part of, even if they do not know it yet that they want to be a part of it.
Believing in Him...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
No Victory in Mud Slinging
Complaints are a dime-a-dozen. It doesn't matter if it is a child complaining about what's for dinner, a fan/player complaining about an official's call or lack there of, a customer's dissatisfaction with their food, an actors work in a play/film, the weather, the government, or how a church operates. We find it easy to complain. We want to be satisfied, so when we're not, we don't give second chances, we expect to be pleased, so we let people know about it.
Have you been receiving complaints? I've had my fair share. I once thought I wanted to be a "famous" preacher. However, after knowing all that they go through from skeptics, I thought about it again and do not think I need to be "well-known".
If you have been experiencing some complaints lately, this week's quote is for you. I hope you gain encouragement from it...
If you are thinking about slinging some mud...don't. If you've been slung at...don't sling back. There is no victory in that. Rise above being under fire! You can gain victory in rising above rather than lowering yourself to their level.
Ever trying to maintain the higher ground...with His help...
Have you been receiving complaints? I've had my fair share. I once thought I wanted to be a "famous" preacher. However, after knowing all that they go through from skeptics, I thought about it again and do not think I need to be "well-known".
If you have been experiencing some complaints lately, this week's quote is for you. I hope you gain encouragement from it...
If criticism is mistaken or mean-spirited, rise above it.It is easy to throw mud back. There are people out there that will always complain about something I have done. They have slung mud as they were upset. It took a lot to imitate Christ and not sling it back. Though it may make me feel good to throw the mud back, there is no victory found in mud slinging.
Maintain the high ground when you're under fire.
No victory is worth winning at the expense of picking up the mud that has been slung at you and throwing it back. ~ Rubel Shelly
If you are thinking about slinging some mud...don't. If you've been slung at...don't sling back. There is no victory in that. Rise above being under fire! You can gain victory in rising above rather than lowering yourself to their level.
Ever trying to maintain the higher ground...with His help...
Monday, March 16, 2009
Life - I John 5:10-13
A continuation of looking at words in John 11:25
Sometimes we are given second chances. They could be when a friend forgives and you can make things right the next time. They could be having your heart restarted after suffering from a cardiac arrest. Usually, with second chances brings life. A kind of life that can rekindle an unknown excitement.
When I was in high school, our football team went 0-5, for the first half of the season. Then, came districts. This meant that you played three teams and the best record of those three teams went on to play the next round. Our school ended up winning all three games! We had a new life that wasn't there a few games back. We went on to win the next game, too! Then, we suffered defeat. However, it was interesting how you can go 0-5, and end up with a record of 4-6 and being District and Bi-district runner-up - all with a losing record!
As we see Jesus as the Life, we can get that spring in our step that no matter what happens, there is always a second chance. We can be figuratively resurrected each day/moment to win the second half! Yesterday, we looked at this concept and here are some applications to choose from to use this week...
Have a great day! Enjoy life!
God is good...All the time!
Sometimes we are given second chances. They could be when a friend forgives and you can make things right the next time. They could be having your heart restarted after suffering from a cardiac arrest. Usually, with second chances brings life. A kind of life that can rekindle an unknown excitement.
When I was in high school, our football team went 0-5, for the first half of the season. Then, came districts. This meant that you played three teams and the best record of those three teams went on to play the next round. Our school ended up winning all three games! We had a new life that wasn't there a few games back. We went on to win the next game, too! Then, we suffered defeat. However, it was interesting how you can go 0-5, and end up with a record of 4-6 and being District and Bi-district runner-up - all with a losing record!
As we see Jesus as the Life, we can get that spring in our step that no matter what happens, there is always a second chance. We can be figuratively resurrected each day/moment to win the second half! Yesterday, we looked at this concept and here are some applications to choose from to use this week...
- Praise God that you have life - physically and/or spiritually
- Use your life to the fullest - by trying to make someone else's life better - a compliment, a smile, a random act of kindness, etc.
- Wake up each day this week and make a commitment to resurrect the new self by leaving the old self/things with the previous day.
- Start a new hobby/habit that will enhance your life
- Find a way to volunteer for something - that tends to always make people feel better, even when your plate seems full.
Have a great day! Enjoy life!
God is good...All the time!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Listen Thoroughly
One of the activities I remember from a college counseling class was on listening. I remember it for a couple of reasons. One, because I was the "sucker" who fell victim to it. Two, because I have used it as an exercise in other areas, putting it to use. The exercise was to discuss some sort of a difficulty in your life, then ask the other person if they've ever had anything like that in their life. As 99% of the ones on the other side did, we started talking about our life, when that person was the one who came to us to talk out their situation, not hear us talk.
Listening is a part of my job as a husband and as a minister. Listening is incorporated in one-to-one situations, as well as, feeling out a situation (long- or short-term). Listening is important when it comes to trying to hear God through all the noise of life. Listening helps us learn, both knowledge and what actions to take next. The idea of listening brings us to this week's quote...
When we're being offended or rubbed the wrong way, it is hard to keep listening. Maybe that is a time when we should look even more close at what we're supposed to be listening to.
Listening is something we can all be perpetual students of. I think when we feel like we've mastered it, we're needing to go back to learn some more!
Learning to listen...
Listening is a part of my job as a husband and as a minister. Listening is incorporated in one-to-one situations, as well as, feeling out a situation (long- or short-term). Listening is important when it comes to trying to hear God through all the noise of life. Listening helps us learn, both knowledge and what actions to take next. The idea of listening brings us to this week's quote...
A good listener tries to understand thoroughly what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but before he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with. ~ Kenneth A. Wells, "Guide to Good Leadership"If you're like me, you may be guilty of mentally finishing sentences or forming solutions to mentioned problems. Those are not good listening skills. We must engage with whom we're involved with and try to hear what they're saying. This will help us to have a better chance to understand what the other person is trying to communicate.
When we're being offended or rubbed the wrong way, it is hard to keep listening. Maybe that is a time when we should look even more close at what we're supposed to be listening to.
Listening is something we can all be perpetual students of. I think when we feel like we've mastered it, we're needing to go back to learn some more!
Learning to listen...
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