Thursday, January 31, 2008
Snow Day 2
Hey, since it is a snow day let me encourage you to read, "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day." I just finished it last week and it was good. This week I am trying to finish the biography of Abraham Lincol by Carl Sandburg. It has been an enlightening read! I recently finished, "21 Indespensible Qualiteis of a Leader" by John Maxwell. Every person needs to read that too. As always, I am still working on my goal of reading the Bible through as many times as I am years alive. I am 36 and on my 15th official read through.
Snow Day
Today is the big day! We are going to get a bucnh of snow. School has already been canceled for Friday in Washington, MO. So, we are planning on going sledding in the morning at the K of C Hall. They have a huge dropoff behind their building. I wish I had a snow board for tomorrow. Pastor John said we would likely meet about 9:30 a.m. for sledding.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Missions Convention 2008
In a few weeks we will begin our annual Missions Convention. If you have the e-newsletter you have the basic information. We have a great line-up of speakers for this year. Just so everyone knows, here are some things to expect at our Missions Convention.
1. Great Missionary guests. Usually you have an opportunity to meet with them before and after Church and talk with them about their missionary work. They are friendly people who are anxious to make new friends and prayer partners, so don't hesitate to talk with them.
2. A great meal at the Missions Banquet, February 16th, at 6:30 p.m. Scott Reynolds a missionary that we support will be speaking briefly. The meal is free, we want everyone to attend. We will take voluntary donations for the meal if you would like to help with the cost of the meal.
3. Opportunities to pray for missionaries. When we have a missionary speak we will take time to pray for them. Please do not hesitate to come forward and lay hands on a missionary for prayer!
4. Opportunities to give. At each missions service, February 10, 13, 16, and 17 we will take a missions offering for the guest missionary. Remember that this year we will only take two other special missionary offerings, once at each of the Missions Weekends.
5. Opportunity to experience God. There are two way that you can expect to experience God moving. First, he may move on your heart giving you direction in your part in missions. Second, on February 17th we will make our faith promises to the Lord for missions in 2008. Begin now to ask God what he would want you to do to give to missions this year.
Finally, if you are a member and feel the Lord directing you to be a part of the Missions Council, we would love to have your involvement. The Missions Council at First AG does several things. First they keep up on missionary correspondence. Second they do the upkeep on the missions display in the church. Third, they help make the Missions Convention great. Finally, they will be essential in the planning of future missions trips.
1. Great Missionary guests. Usually you have an opportunity to meet with them before and after Church and talk with them about their missionary work. They are friendly people who are anxious to make new friends and prayer partners, so don't hesitate to talk with them.
2. A great meal at the Missions Banquet, February 16th, at 6:30 p.m. Scott Reynolds a missionary that we support will be speaking briefly. The meal is free, we want everyone to attend. We will take voluntary donations for the meal if you would like to help with the cost of the meal.
3. Opportunities to pray for missionaries. When we have a missionary speak we will take time to pray for them. Please do not hesitate to come forward and lay hands on a missionary for prayer!
4. Opportunities to give. At each missions service, February 10, 13, 16, and 17 we will take a missions offering for the guest missionary. Remember that this year we will only take two other special missionary offerings, once at each of the Missions Weekends.
5. Opportunity to experience God. There are two way that you can expect to experience God moving. First, he may move on your heart giving you direction in your part in missions. Second, on February 17th we will make our faith promises to the Lord for missions in 2008. Begin now to ask God what he would want you to do to give to missions this year.
Finally, if you are a member and feel the Lord directing you to be a part of the Missions Council, we would love to have your involvement. The Missions Council at First AG does several things. First they keep up on missionary correspondence. Second they do the upkeep on the missions display in the church. Third, they help make the Missions Convention great. Finally, they will be essential in the planning of future missions trips.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Weekend Rewind
I have received a great number of positive comments about the message Sunday. People have used the words, "Inspired," and "inspiring," several times. People in first service, second service and even two comments on the message in the Cedar Crest nursing home service. These comments have had a huge impact on me. I have spent a lot of time in the past 24 hours thinking about the response.
So you know, I am asking my self three questions. First, what did I do right? Second, what did God do that I can never do? Third, what did I do that kept me from hindering God?
I know that there are some things that God alone can do. When people complement me on a message I always realize that some of their comments have to do with things that I did not do at all! In asking these three self-assessment questions I am trying to focus on making sure that I am doing what God wants, and not doing things that hinder him from doing what he wants.
Here are three big things that pertain to my part. I preached a shorter message. It was about 20 minutes, down from 32-33, my average time. The next big thing is that the coffee break before the message gave people a needed mental break in a 75 minute church service. Finally, I had a lot more notes and stuck to them so that I would not go too long. I want to say exactly what God wants me to say, then stop and let him do what he wants.
So you know, I am asking my self three questions. First, what did I do right? Second, what did God do that I can never do? Third, what did I do that kept me from hindering God?
I know that there are some things that God alone can do. When people complement me on a message I always realize that some of their comments have to do with things that I did not do at all! In asking these three self-assessment questions I am trying to focus on making sure that I am doing what God wants, and not doing things that hinder him from doing what he wants.
Here are three big things that pertain to my part. I preached a shorter message. It was about 20 minutes, down from 32-33, my average time. The next big thing is that the coffee break before the message gave people a needed mental break in a 75 minute church service. Finally, I had a lot more notes and stuck to them so that I would not go too long. I want to say exactly what God wants me to say, then stop and let him do what he wants.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Our Greatest Asset
The greatest asset of any church is the people who attend.
Jesus said, "I will build my Church," Matthew 16:18. The word church is not talking about an institution or a building. The Greek word that we translate church can also be translated as: "congregation," "assembly," or "community." The word church has obtained a connotation over the centuries as an institution or a building. The words congregation, assembly, or community help us to visualize a group of people, not a building or institution.
The church is not a building, the church is a group of people. To build a church is not to build a building, but to build people.
This year I am praying and trying to focus on building people. Our theme this year is "The Mission." for me as the Pastor that means that I will work to reach the lost, but I will also work to raise the quality of the individuals in our church so that they will accomplish the mission that God has called them to complete. Pray for me as I am praying about some sermon series for the rest of 2008 that will focus on building quality people.
Jesus said, "I will build my Church," Matthew 16:18. The word church is not talking about an institution or a building. The Greek word that we translate church can also be translated as: "congregation," "assembly," or "community." The word church has obtained a connotation over the centuries as an institution or a building. The words congregation, assembly, or community help us to visualize a group of people, not a building or institution.
The church is not a building, the church is a group of people. To build a church is not to build a building, but to build people.
This year I am praying and trying to focus on building people. Our theme this year is "The Mission." for me as the Pastor that means that I will work to reach the lost, but I will also work to raise the quality of the individuals in our church so that they will accomplish the mission that God has called them to complete. Pray for me as I am praying about some sermon series for the rest of 2008 that will focus on building quality people.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Blog Mechanics
I am still learning about blogs. I don't know if anyone is even able to subscribe to this thing with any kind of feed, but if you do, I am sorry if you get the same post three times in one morning with minor editorial changes. If you have any feed back just let me know and you can teach me how to blog better.
Be a Kid
I just finished a book I purchased six months ago. I have so many books I want to read that I have a back log. In the last part of, In a Pit With a Lon on a Snowy Day, author Mark Batterson explains some research on Divergent thinking, and intellectual originality. He referenced a study that found 98% of 3-5 year old children score in the genius category for divergent thinking. As children grow and lean that number drops. By age 25 only 2% of those studied scored in the genius level.
Children are willing to think creatively and outside the box. As we grow older we learn the rules of the box and our creativity and willingness decrease. The author then refers to Matthew 18:4.
Jesus says,
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)
To conform to Christ means non-conformity in this world. Paul tells us to stop conforming to the world and start conforming to Christ (Romans 12:2). Our world teaches us to be inhibited about things that we ought to be bold about, and bold about things that should embarrass us to death. Let's be like little children and worship God without reservation. Let's be like little children and share our faith like the boy that is proud of his father, and thinks he can beat all the other dads in the city. Let's love people with hugs and smiles and the warmth of a child.
Here is my take on the thing. I think we are all little children on the inside anyway. As a Pastor, I often look at myself and the men in our church as a group of over experienced little boys. I see men on the outside, but on a deeper level I see the boy that lost his dad to cancer, the boy that gets picked on at recess, the boy that is the class bully because he is big and does not know what to do with himself. I see the boy who is unsure about himself, but follows the crowd because it is easy. I see the boy that is an artist, but won't admit it because he is surrounded by athletes. I see the boy that really likes the funny looking girl, but can't tell anyone because they all think she is funny looking. There are millions of examples!
I know the little boy that I still am. I am the adventurer, the hunter, the builder, the farmer, and the musician that I know many of my class mates are not. I am also the boy who feels inhibited because the other boys are more funny, wear nicer clothing, and make better grades. I know I have abilities, but they are not the most popular abilities at the time. Nobody in my class wants to grow up to be a farmer or a pastor.
When I gave my life to Christ at 15, I gained a confidence that I never had before. I could be Paul and love Jesus and nothing else mattered. I was who God made me to be and the only thing that mattered was following him. My friends actually criticised my over confidence. The hard part is this. As I grow older, I have to grow older and take up new tasks, lean new things, and still be the bold, courageous young man that Jesus saved in 1987.
What kind of boy (or girl) are you? What kind of boy (or girl, if you are a girl) does Jesus want you to be?
Children are willing to think creatively and outside the box. As we grow older we learn the rules of the box and our creativity and willingness decrease. The author then refers to Matthew 18:4.
Jesus says,
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)
To conform to Christ means non-conformity in this world. Paul tells us to stop conforming to the world and start conforming to Christ (Romans 12:2). Our world teaches us to be inhibited about things that we ought to be bold about, and bold about things that should embarrass us to death. Let's be like little children and worship God without reservation. Let's be like little children and share our faith like the boy that is proud of his father, and thinks he can beat all the other dads in the city. Let's love people with hugs and smiles and the warmth of a child.
Here is my take on the thing. I think we are all little children on the inside anyway. As a Pastor, I often look at myself and the men in our church as a group of over experienced little boys. I see men on the outside, but on a deeper level I see the boy that lost his dad to cancer, the boy that gets picked on at recess, the boy that is the class bully because he is big and does not know what to do with himself. I see the boy who is unsure about himself, but follows the crowd because it is easy. I see the boy that is an artist, but won't admit it because he is surrounded by athletes. I see the boy that really likes the funny looking girl, but can't tell anyone because they all think she is funny looking. There are millions of examples!
I know the little boy that I still am. I am the adventurer, the hunter, the builder, the farmer, and the musician that I know many of my class mates are not. I am also the boy who feels inhibited because the other boys are more funny, wear nicer clothing, and make better grades. I know I have abilities, but they are not the most popular abilities at the time. Nobody in my class wants to grow up to be a farmer or a pastor.
When I gave my life to Christ at 15, I gained a confidence that I never had before. I could be Paul and love Jesus and nothing else mattered. I was who God made me to be and the only thing that mattered was following him. My friends actually criticised my over confidence. The hard part is this. As I grow older, I have to grow older and take up new tasks, lean new things, and still be the bold, courageous young man that Jesus saved in 1987.
What kind of boy (or girl) are you? What kind of boy (or girl, if you are a girl) does Jesus want you to be?
Christmas Tree Update
Stephanie said we have to take the tree down tonight. So, Monday night is tree deconstruction night. Last night Elizabeth pointed to an ornament made in a kids class at church and said, that's my picture. It was cute, but it has got to go.
P.S. We made it to M.L.K. Jr. day.
P.S. We made it to M.L.K. Jr. day.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Annual Meeting
Last night was our annual business meeting for the church. There was not much business. We did have a first time visitor. He liked the meeting and said he would come again Sunday. It goes to show you that it is important to be your very best at all times and that a church that functions in unity and peace when it comes to business is priceless.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Weekend Rewind
This Sunday was great in two ways. First, the message that I had prepared was the last in a series and scheduled for a while. But, it was perfect timing for a number of people. I thank God for his leading and help. Give him the credit. Second, it was an attendance record. We have never even had an Easter that high.
My Christmas Tree Becomes More!
So it is January 15th and my Christmas tree is still up. This year we have an artificial tree. Since it is so huge we put all our childhood ornaments on it. They are so cool. Every year we buy one ornament for each of our three kids that summarises that year for that kid best. All the ornaments are on the tree and now we don't have the heart to take it down.
So here is the thought I ran past my wife. We simply change the top of the tree for each upcoming holiday! Then it can be our M.L.K. Jr. day tree, our presidents day tree, our St. Pat's tree, our Lenten tree and finally an Easter tree. She did not laugh so much. I know, I'll have to take it down soon.
So here is the thought I ran past my wife. We simply change the top of the tree for each upcoming holiday! Then it can be our M.L.K. Jr. day tree, our presidents day tree, our St. Pat's tree, our Lenten tree and finally an Easter tree. She did not laugh so much. I know, I'll have to take it down soon.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Who Understood the Times
I am reading the biography of Abraham Lincoln and at the same time I started reading the history of the John Deere Company. It is interesting to realize that John Deere, born in 1802, started his business making plows and then branched out into other types of farm tools. In 1896 John Deere sold $150 K in bicycles in one year.
In the early 1900's the company had been run by the son of John Deere for a few decades and felt the need to look into the tractor market to compete with International Harvester and the J. I. Case company. Those companies were making tractors, and equipment for those tractors. The company had to make a decision. Should they sell tractors or not? They started making experimental tractors in 1910 and continued up to WW I and only spent a few thousand dollars.
Finally, on March 14th, 1916 the John Deere Company voted to enter the tractor business. What If John Deere & Co. would have chosen to not sell tractors? The farming and tractor market in the United States would be drastically different.
In 1 Chronicles 12:32 the Bible lists David's warriors from various tribes. Some were warriors and other experts with sling shots and all brave men. In verse 32, 200 men were listed that, "understood the times and knew what Israel should do." What is God doing and how are we to get in on it? What should followers of Jesus do?
Let's be people of vision. Let's know what God wants us to do!
In the early 1900's the company had been run by the son of John Deere for a few decades and felt the need to look into the tractor market to compete with International Harvester and the J. I. Case company. Those companies were making tractors, and equipment for those tractors. The company had to make a decision. Should they sell tractors or not? They started making experimental tractors in 1910 and continued up to WW I and only spent a few thousand dollars.
Finally, on March 14th, 1916 the John Deere Company voted to enter the tractor business. What If John Deere & Co. would have chosen to not sell tractors? The farming and tractor market in the United States would be drastically different.
In 1 Chronicles 12:32 the Bible lists David's warriors from various tribes. Some were warriors and other experts with sling shots and all brave men. In verse 32, 200 men were listed that, "understood the times and knew what Israel should do." What is God doing and how are we to get in on it? What should followers of Jesus do?
Let's be people of vision. Let's know what God wants us to do!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Servant Leadership Council Meeting
Tonight is our Servant Leadership Council meeting. This is our "Ministry Committee," according to the constitution and by-laws for a district church. In the near future we are interested in moving to general council status and have a board of Elders. We are working on some 2008 ideas tonight.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Great Story
I just read a story by our General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, John Palmer. Click here to go to his blog and read this encouraging story!
In a way this is our continuing story at First AG in Washington. In 2003 there was a remnant of mostly older saints who had been faithful to First AG and kept it going even in the tough times. Not only are we reaching that faithful core group's peers, we are now starting to reach many others as well.
In a way this is our continuing story at First AG in Washington. In 2003 there was a remnant of mostly older saints who had been faithful to First AG and kept it going even in the tough times. Not only are we reaching that faithful core group's peers, we are now starting to reach many others as well.
God is Great
Yesterday I took a personal day to get in one last day of archery hunting before the season ends on January 15th. What a day. It was very warm for January. I jumped three in the dark morning hours on the way to my stand. I never saw them again all day till about 5:45 p.m. when it was dark again and I was walking out of the woods. My stand is right on top of their bedding area, but they leave it before light and return after dark. It is not legal to take deer in those hours of the day.
About 4:00 p.m. a thunder storm rolled in over my head. I was on a bluff top and watched the storm roll in. It became very dark. Thunder rolled and rolled. Then the tornado sirens of a nearby small town went off. I decided to stick it out. But then the sky filled with lightening and after about the fourth strike I decided that my metal ladder stand on the bluff was the wrong place to be. I watched as a down pour of rain moved across the valley in front of me. It was really beautiful. Then I walked to the truck and watched it rain for about 45 minutes. It turns out that the storm that went over my head produced a tornado just about ten miles east of me after it passed over my head. The tornado was spotted in Heartsberg, MO.
While I watched all this here is what was in my head.
Verse 1
O Lord my God, When
in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow'r thru'out
The universe displayed
Verse 2
When thru the woods
And forest glades I wander
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze
Verse 3
And when I think
That God His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die
I scarce can take it in
That on the cross
My burden gladly bearing
He bled and died
To take away my sin
Verse 4
When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim
My God how great Thou art
By Stuart Wesley Keene Hine
About 4:00 p.m. a thunder storm rolled in over my head. I was on a bluff top and watched the storm roll in. It became very dark. Thunder rolled and rolled. Then the tornado sirens of a nearby small town went off. I decided to stick it out. But then the sky filled with lightening and after about the fourth strike I decided that my metal ladder stand on the bluff was the wrong place to be. I watched as a down pour of rain moved across the valley in front of me. It was really beautiful. Then I walked to the truck and watched it rain for about 45 minutes. It turns out that the storm that went over my head produced a tornado just about ten miles east of me after it passed over my head. The tornado was spotted in Heartsberg, MO.
While I watched all this here is what was in my head.
Verse 1
O Lord my God, When
in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy pow'r thru'out
The universe displayed
Verse 2
When thru the woods
And forest glades I wander
And hear the birds
Sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down
From lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook
And feel the gentle breeze
Verse 3
And when I think
That God His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die
I scarce can take it in
That on the cross
My burden gladly bearing
He bled and died
To take away my sin
Verse 4
When Christ shall come
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
In humble adoration
And there proclaim
My God how great Thou art
By Stuart Wesley Keene Hine
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Shadowds and Fog Update
Saving for Your Children's Future
Failure
This is the title for Sunday's message. It sounds like a terribly negative title, but like I said Monday, much of what we learn from Judges is how not to do things! By avoiding some of the mistakes of God's people as recorded in Judges we can avoid a lot of trouble.
Dinner with Lance
Last night I invited Lance Langenberg to my house for some victuals and hang out time after our Spirit Filled Life Service. I think my kids made another new friend, Tony, Charles, Pastor John and now Lance. It was great to be with Lance, worthy of a blog entry.
Shout Out the to Southern Missouri District
I just read my "Messenger," the publication of the Southern Missouri District of the Assemblies of God. I am very excited about the new District Council Schedule!!! Big thanks to Brother Baker, Brother Newby, Brother Welch and any other of our district leaders who helped. I am very excited! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Sandy Update
Visited with Sandy today and she is recovering well from surgery. I am so glad for God's help. She has a great testimony of God's intervention in her situation. Keep praying. We love Sandy and can't wait to have her back in the office and helping with worship.
Paper Bag Part 2
Pastor John will be back tomorrow! It will be nice to have more than one person in the office at a time. I feel like I am a week behind. Not only are John and Sandy gone, but the weeks are short with holiday days and so that makes me more late with everything. I told Jerri, our bookkeeper who worked part of the day today that I feel like my life is a course or series of interruptions.
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