We all know that we are called to witness to others about our faith and the Good News of the Kingdom. Is every one of us supposed to go door to door? Or to foreign countries? Or even just talk to our own neighbors?
I believe we should all do our best to reach those within our circle of influence, of course, but is it enough? I am introverted and anxious by nature and for a long time, I didn't know how to talk to anyone about my faith. I'm still shy at times but God has done so much for me that it gets harder and harder to stay quiet!
I write, I talk to friends and neighbors a little...enough to plant a seed here and there. But lately I have been feeling nudged to do more. "Like what, God?" I asked. And He said to go into ALL the world! But I am only one person and I get motion-sick just travelling across town (really)! So I have been thinking and praying and asking and praying some more. The answers I got were still a little broad, so I started to get frustrated and God said, "Just pick one."
Several areas and "populations" of people had come up that are very dear to my heart. Everyone has their own story, their own hurdles they've had to overcome, their own family member dealing with illness or tragedy. What unique experiences do you have? What is important to you or are you deeply passionate about? What hurts you or makes you angry? There is a ministry in there somewhere. Don't be content like I was for too long. Time is running out and we are ALL responsible for reaching somebody.
The important thing is that we do SOMEthing!
Scripture reference:
Revelation 12:11
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death". (NKJV)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wow, What a Week!
Hi everyone! Hope you had a really great weekend. I did. And you would think with it being "Holy Week" last week, I would have posted more instead of not at all! The thing is, I had SO much going on, internally and externally, that I could not get ahold of a clear message to write! There's so much to share with you that I did not know where to start, and it was so busy that I didn't want to just fire off something in a hurry, just to get it done. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I believe in doing things unto God and therefore aspire to do my best, especially those things that I am doing for Him or to teach about Him. (Washing dishes or organizing closets, not so much.)
Ok, another thing I want to stress is that while my blog is Christian in nature, I do not want to get into deep debates over specific doctrine or go back and forth with someone to argue a point. I know what I believe and sometimes I will ask what you believe. Friendly discussion and learning from one another is good. I want to know what you think and believe. But my main goal is to have a place for Christian parents to support one another. A place to tell stories about our kids or our faith in every-day living. I'm not a preacher or a scholar, just a mom who loves her kids and Her God with all of her heart!
And now I'm going to brag about them both. My son is involved in a drama team ministry at our church. This past(Resurrection!)Sunday, the group performed a skit to "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe. They did an awesome job and it was a powerful performance! My mother was there to see her grandson perform and she was very moved by the whole program. She is not a Christian. In fact, we are the "black sheep" and crazy ones because we are.
However, I saw her being touched, being changed inside as she watched this. The last thing she said as we left was, "Hmm, I might have to start coming here more often". Hallelujah!!! God was definitely in the house that whole morning. We serve an awesome God! To see a video of the team's performance, try this link.
Check it out!!!
DMT413 Easter Proformance
www.youtube.com
Christian Life Church Drama Ministry Team Easter Program
Scripture Reference:
1st Corinthians 15:13-14
"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty."
Ok, another thing I want to stress is that while my blog is Christian in nature, I do not want to get into deep debates over specific doctrine or go back and forth with someone to argue a point. I know what I believe and sometimes I will ask what you believe. Friendly discussion and learning from one another is good. I want to know what you think and believe. But my main goal is to have a place for Christian parents to support one another. A place to tell stories about our kids or our faith in every-day living. I'm not a preacher or a scholar, just a mom who loves her kids and Her God with all of her heart!
And now I'm going to brag about them both. My son is involved in a drama team ministry at our church. This past(Resurrection!)Sunday, the group performed a skit to "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe. They did an awesome job and it was a powerful performance! My mother was there to see her grandson perform and she was very moved by the whole program. She is not a Christian. In fact, we are the "black sheep" and crazy ones because we are.
However, I saw her being touched, being changed inside as she watched this. The last thing she said as we left was, "Hmm, I might have to start coming here more often". Hallelujah!!! God was definitely in the house that whole morning. We serve an awesome God! To see a video of the team's performance, try this link.
Check it out!!!
DMT413 Easter Proformance
www.youtube.com
Christian Life Church Drama Ministry Team Easter Program
Scripture Reference:
1st Corinthians 15:13-14
"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty."
Monday, April 18, 2011
Water Baptism
I have been reading about water baptism from the viewpoint of different denominations. Interesting how the same scriptures can be used to support more than one interpretation. This is part of the confusion that Satan is using to keep believers at odds and create conflict. There are some things that don't "really matter" as far as doctrinal differences. Then there are those fundamentals that absolutely do matter and form the basis of our beliefs. Where does baptism come in at? Is it a necessary component of salvation? Is it just an outward expression of your commitment to Christ?
What do you think? Let me know and leave me some scripture references.
Here are some other helpful passages: Mark 1:8, Matthew 3:16, Mark 10:38-39, Mark 16:16, Luke 3:16, 21; John 3:23 and finally, Acts 19:1-7
What do you think? Let me know and leave me some scripture references.
Here are some other helpful passages: Mark 1:8, Matthew 3:16, Mark 10:38-39, Mark 16:16, Luke 3:16, 21; John 3:23 and finally, Acts 19:1-7
Saturday, April 16, 2011
What Would You Do?
Ok, most of us volunteer, work, or help out in our church or congregation in some way. I have been a member of my church for 13 years and I know that the leadership counts on me to do my job well and within their guidelines. When they trust me with a task, they know it will be done unto God and with their standards in mind. This is also true with other members that they count on, especially those that have been in the church at least as long as I have.
So, what do you do when you are assigned to work on a task with another long-term member and you feel some aspects are not being implemented according to the "rules" or standards of your leadership? If you are both "equal" in seniority or authority, yet you feel that person is bendng the rules? Or in minor issues, even disregarding them? You want to be well-liked and considered a "team player" but don't want to compromise certain standards either, right? If this person is simply unaware of the rules, you can explain them. If they are approachable, you can calmly express your concerns. But what if you try this and you feel the other person is not open to peer instruction? What if you are met with disagreement or even obstinance?
Do you go to your leadership and make them aware of the situation and therby risk alienating the other member and become the "tattle-tale"?
Do you do your part of the task and not tell anyone else about it? Would you then be equally responsible for any fall-out that may occur later?
Parts of the task may not even come to the attention of leadership if they trusted the members to carry it out for them. But if some standard is compromised and you know about it, are you obligated to report it?
(I'm not talking about a violation of doctrine or doing something against the religion itself. Just protocol and/or procedural issues. Maybe even a minor safety concern).
What would you do?
Scripture Reference:
Colossians 3:23-24
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
So, what do you do when you are assigned to work on a task with another long-term member and you feel some aspects are not being implemented according to the "rules" or standards of your leadership? If you are both "equal" in seniority or authority, yet you feel that person is bendng the rules? Or in minor issues, even disregarding them? You want to be well-liked and considered a "team player" but don't want to compromise certain standards either, right? If this person is simply unaware of the rules, you can explain them. If they are approachable, you can calmly express your concerns. But what if you try this and you feel the other person is not open to peer instruction? What if you are met with disagreement or even obstinance?
Do you go to your leadership and make them aware of the situation and therby risk alienating the other member and become the "tattle-tale"?
Do you do your part of the task and not tell anyone else about it? Would you then be equally responsible for any fall-out that may occur later?
Parts of the task may not even come to the attention of leadership if they trusted the members to carry it out for them. But if some standard is compromised and you know about it, are you obligated to report it?
(I'm not talking about a violation of doctrine or doing something against the religion itself. Just protocol and/or procedural issues. Maybe even a minor safety concern).
What would you do?
Scripture Reference:
Colossians 3:23-24
"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
Friday, April 15, 2011
Quote of the Day
"You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"
—Steven Wright, stand-up comic and actor
—Steven Wright, stand-up comic and actor
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Back to the Basics
So, I got a little flack over my posting about raising kids to be responsible with money and teaching them to work! Some of the negative comments came from my own kids, but hey, it still hurt. LOL
So one person wants to know where charity fits into all of that? While I was "complaining" about the cost of toilet paper, wasn't I helping the less fortunate? Well, yes. But there are the truly less-fortunate and then there are those who play the "victim" for far too long far too often.
So, if I am helping a child, any child, I am helping someone innocent, right? That's what I thought. Welcome a child in My Name and all that. My dilemma, though is this: What if an ADULT uses their children to guilt you into giving in over and over? When and where do you draw the line? If I know a child is hungry and do nothing, that is unthinkable. (I'm not talking about all of the children starving in other countries, of course I can't feed them all. Not alone. But a child you know personally.)
What is the biblical answer to this? Help others, serve, give, forgive, turn the other cheek, and keep doing all of these things! That's what I get out of the Word! And that's what I try to live by. Jesus wasn't a whimp though, either! So, I doubt He would advocate being taken advantage of. I just wonder where that line is? Is it just your individual breaking point? Or seven times seven past that point? What do you think?
Scripture Reference:
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread." (NKJV)
So one person wants to know where charity fits into all of that? While I was "complaining" about the cost of toilet paper, wasn't I helping the less fortunate? Well, yes. But there are the truly less-fortunate and then there are those who play the "victim" for far too long far too often.
So, if I am helping a child, any child, I am helping someone innocent, right? That's what I thought. Welcome a child in My Name and all that. My dilemma, though is this: What if an ADULT uses their children to guilt you into giving in over and over? When and where do you draw the line? If I know a child is hungry and do nothing, that is unthinkable. (I'm not talking about all of the children starving in other countries, of course I can't feed them all. Not alone. But a child you know personally.)
What is the biblical answer to this? Help others, serve, give, forgive, turn the other cheek, and keep doing all of these things! That's what I get out of the Word! And that's what I try to live by. Jesus wasn't a whimp though, either! So, I doubt He would advocate being taken advantage of. I just wonder where that line is? Is it just your individual breaking point? Or seven times seven past that point? What do you think?
Scripture Reference:
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
"For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread." (NKJV)
Another Good Quote
"Frustrated? It may be because you're trying to make something happen that only God can make happen. Whenever you are doing what God has called you to do, it is important to rely on His strength, His grace, and His power to complete your task."
Aaron Chavez
Aaron Chavez
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