Quotes and Notes

Adversity's Blast

2012-01-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

And ye, who have met with Adversity's blast,
And been bow'd to the earth by its fury;
To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass'd
Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury -
Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime,
The regrets of remembrance to cozen,
And having obtained a New Trial of Time,
Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.
- Thomas Hood

Brain Dump -- Learning from a Redwood About Ministry that Endures

2011-12-23T01:06:00.000-08:00

Redwood Trees
- are huge (can't tell how big they are without people in the shot)
[Don't tell me about your building or your bank account; tell me how many people you've reached]

- have been here longer than we have
[This thing didn't start when you came into position and it won't end when you leave ]

- oldest and tallest are found in valleys/gullies with year-round streams and where fog-drip is regular
[We need some year-round streams and some fog-drip!]

- thick bark protects from fire and insect damage
--- can go through fire and not get burned [Can't wear our feelings on our sleeves]
--- anything damageable is too high to be reached by fire [Must lay up treasures in heaven.]

* Succession Planning
- new Redwoods feed off older, fallen Redwoods

Jesus didn't finish everything He started (Acts 1:1 "began"), and you may not finish everything you start either

- Jn 15:15
- Acts 20:20
- 2 Tim 2:2

* Keep the main thing the main thing
- Redwoods are happy being trees, don't wish they were something else
- God determines the main thing, not you
- Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
--- lift with your legs, not with your back

* Cooperative, not Competitive
- Redwoods don't fight each other -- they help each other
- What if God decided to save 1000 souls in your city, but He did it through the church next door?
- Cooperative -- work together, Eph 4:16
- Not competitive -- no envy, each should esteem others better (Phil 2:3-4)

Brain Dump -- The Real Jesus

2011-12-23T00:48:00.000-08:00

Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Romans 8:28-29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

[churchianity] is raising a lot of nice unbelievers who go to church. - unknown

Romans 1:23
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Matthew 24:23-24
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 14:28-29
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Mama Jesus - "Ah, hon, tell mama all about it." "Let me kiss your boo-boos away."

Flannel-Graph Jesus - The one we imagine walking on the sea shore or carrying a lamb, but not doing much today.

All-American Jesus - loves baseball and apple pie, wants everyone to have a nice house and nice care.

Bartender Jesus - someone to tell your troubles to

Mystic Jesus - so deep you can't understand Him, or like the force on Star Wars

Historical Jesus - acknowledged as a historical figure, but died years ago

Help-Me Jesus
- version 1, "help me, Jesus, achieve my dream"
- version 2, the one we call on in 911 moments, "Help me, Jesus!"
- version 3, "So help me Jesus, I'm gonna bust you if you don't straighten up!"

The Real Jesus
- loves you as you are, but also loves you too much to leave you that way
- might be a little like Sergeant Gunny (Kids' favorite commercial: "You know what makes me sad? You do! Maybe we should chug on over to mamby-pamby land where maybe we can find some self-confidence for you, you jackwagon. Tissue? Crybaby!")
- might be a little like eagles who boot eaglets from the nest to teach them to fly
- might be a little like giraffes who repeatedly kick their newborns over to teach them to stand up.
- The real Jesus was anything but boring.
- Jesus was not crucified for His pacifism!

A dangerous prayer might be: Make me more like Jesus!

Disparity

Where in Acts can one find a bored Christian?

Rather, their own world was turned upside-down, and all the complacent religious folk got nervous saying, "Those that turned the world upside-down have come here also."

We teach our kids how to survive the world, but we ought to teach them how to change the world!

Misc Stats Regarding Decline of Family Values

2011-12-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

Stats presented in a meeting in late 2010 or early 2011... sources not identified.

Population of married people in US is decreasing: 7.4% of population in 2000, 4.3% in 2007.

Separation of couples in America: 2.3 million are married but separated.

Divorce: 1970 4.3m, 1996 18.3m, 2000 21m, 2008, 25m

Co-habitation: 1960 - 439k, 2000 4.8m, 2007 12m

Single parenting: 2002 16.5m, 2003 20m, 2009 22m

Out-of-wedlock births: 1970 399k, 1980, 666k, 1990 1.16m, 2000 1.5m, 2007 1.72m

Fatherless families: 40% of households

Domestic violence: 2.5m per year

Adult health crisis: 70m will some sort of heart disease (due to lack of diet and exercise, along with 'anything is OK' attitude)

Childhood obesity - 60%

Addition to alcohol and drugs: 2003 195m, 2008 117.8m

Child maltreatment:
- Abused children in US: 2005 889k cases of substantiated abuse or neglect, 2006 2.4m, 2007 3.2m
- Foster children: 2007 500k, 2009 710k
- Kinship care: 6m living with grandparents or relatives
- Number of children who died at hands of their abusers: 1960 4, 2005 1460, 2008 1740

In the last 10 years, 4m children have aged out of foster care.

Juvenile justice system: 2002 126k, 2006 220k, 2011 400k+

Teen Crisis
- teen rape: 2004: 210k, 2008 410k
- teen pregnancy: 2006 750k
- teen abortion: 2006 2004k
- teen suicide: 2003 3rd leading cause of death in teens, 2005 2nd

Childless couples: 2007 27% by choice, 2009 36%

Church fellowship: population increased by 11.4% from 1986 to 1996, but church attendance decreased 12%

Faith in America today: 1990 86% Christian, 2001 79%, 2008 76% -- current trends predict Islam to be the dominant religion in America by 2050

George Mueller -The Life of Trust

2011-09-05T23:35:00.000-07:00

... I fell into the snare into which so many young believers fall, the reading of religious books in preference to the Scriptures. I read tracts, missionary papers, sermons, and biographies of godly persons. I never had been at any time of my life in the habit of reading the Holy Scriptures. When under fifteen years of age, I occasionally read a little of them at school; afterwards God's precious book was entirely laid aside, so that I never read one single chapter of it till it pleased God to begin a work of grace in my heart. Now the scriptural way of reasoning would have been: God himself has consented to be an author, and I am ignorant about that precious book, which his Holy Spirit has caused to be written through the instrumentality of his servants, and it contains that which I ought to know, the knowledge of which will lead me to true happiness; therefore I ought to read again and again this most precious book of books, most earnestly, most prayerfully, and with much meditation; and in this practice I ought to continue all the days of my life. ...like many believers, I practically preferred, for the first four years of my divine life, the works of uninspired men to the oracles of the living God. The consequence was, that I remained a babe, both in knowledge and in grace.

Jakob Nielsen - Mental Models

2010-10-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Users don't just confuse search fields; many less-techy users don't understand the differences between many other common features:

Operating-system windows vs. browser windows
A window vs. an application,
Icons vs. applications,
Browser commands vs. native commands in a Web-based app
Local vs. remote info
Different passwords and log-in options (users often log in to other websites as if they were logging in to their email)

It's amazing how one misconception can thwart users throughout an entire session and cause them to systematically misinterpret everything that happens on the site. Through failure after failure, they never question their basic assumptions. This is yet another argument for complying with preexisting user expectations whenever possible. If you don't, then make certain that you're clearly explaining what you're doing — while also realizing that you face the added challenge of users' reluctance to read very much.

Francis Frangipane - It's Time to End Church Splits

2010-08-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

Intro: ...if we could ascend into heaven and were granted grace to look upon the face of Christ and actually ask Him about splits and divisions, I believe the tears in His eyes alone would tell us disunity is the work of hell.
pg 11: ...anyone can seek God and enjoy more of Him at any time; there is no need to divide the church to have more of God's presence, especially since the division itself will cause God's manifest presence to withdraw!
pg 23: No virtue manifest in our lives without Satan awakening a corresponding vice: Traveling with obedience is pride, and just behind faith walks presumption. Yes, and walking in the shadow of godly vision, ambition follows.
pg 25: The one in rebellion always has an issue; there is always something not right—and if he were in charge, he would do all things better.
pg 26: A true word from God will test you before it fulfills you. Consider Joseph. “Until the time that the word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Psalm 105:19).
pg 27: Ambition tries to create doors where none exist.
pg 39: There is nothing more powerful than when the teaching in a church and the intercession of that church are in agreement.... when intercessor pray what the pastor preaches, the union of the Spirit and the Word release the creative power of heaven itself.
pg 41: In the New Testament, the Greek word, diabolos, which is translated “devil” in this text [John 6:70-71], is translated impersonally elsewhere as a “false accuser,” “slanderer” or “a malicious gossip.” In fact, First Timothy 3:11 and Second Timothy 3:3 both translate diabolos (Strong’s #1228) as “malicious gossip(s).”
pg 52: Remember, as a pastor or teacher, your goal is not to prepare a sermon, but to prepare a people.
pg 73: [Re: Acts 9:6 “...it shall be told you what you must do”]
Why didn’t the Lord just tell Paul what he had to do? Paul would have to learn about God, at least initially, as he submitted to other Christian leaders. This is God’s order and the Lord himself honored it.
pg 74: [Re: Christ submitting to John the Baptist in Matt 3]
...it was while He humbled Himself to a lesser ministry that the flood of the Father’s pleasure, together with the Holy Spirit, descended upon Him.
pg 110: There is no greater opportunity to become Christlike than in the midst of pain and injustice. When Satan is raging with evil, God is planning to turn it to good. If we maintain our integrity in battle; if we let love rise to its purest expression, we will touch the heart of God. Such is the path to God’s power.
pg 116: Jesus understood that for redemption to be accomplished, His love would face its most severe test. Jesus knew this battle was over one thing: would He allow love to reach full maturity and its most perfect expression? Would He maintain His passion for man’s redemption even as men mocked and crucified Him?
pg 133: My pastor’s sermons have been dry and lifeless for quite a while. When we are not being fed the meat of God’s word, should we start our own church?

No teacher brings sermons that are “meat.” Jesus said that His “meat” was to do the will of His Father. If your church seems dry and you are hungry for meat, I suggest you being doing the will of God in your church. What I mean is that you start a prayer group for your pastor. Encourage him with comments about his sermon. Perhaps send him words of encouragement and build him up.

You say, “But this is what we want him to do for us.” If you pray for him, more than likely he will being to gain new confidence and become a great encouragement to you. But the real “meat” is this: see the need and be mature enough in Christ to pray, to encourage and to stand in faith until that need is met by the Holy Spirit.

Information Assurance Quotes

2010-08-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

From Norris Reynolds...

A paraphrase of the information assurance triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability): "Ensuring that the right data gets to the right people at the right time."

"Data. If it's important enough to collect, it's important enough to protect."

Regarding why we sometimes work long hours: "Because they are there, we are here."

It's all in the translation

2010-07-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

From the Cybersalt Digest:

A Latin American minister was touring the U.S. in an effort to boost financial support for missionaries and ministries in his home country.

At a church luncheon, he was telling the guests about this home country, his family, and the important work being supported there. As he concluded, he said, “And I have a charming and understanding wife but, alas, no children.”

After a pause, he said, haltingly, “You see, my wife is unbearable.”

Puzzled glances in the audience prompted him to try to clarify by saying: “What I mean is, my wife is inconceivable.”

Observing the laughter in the audience, he realized his mistake, but floundered deeper into the intricacies of the English language by correcting triumphantly, “That is, my wife, she is impregnable!”

What Special Someday Are We Saving For?

2010-07-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

By ANN WELLS (Los Angeles Times)

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-wrapped package.

"This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie."

He discarded the tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite: silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached.

"Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at least eight or nine years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion."

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment. Then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

"Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.

Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.

I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event--such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for a small bag of groceries without wincing.

I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are fighting a losing battle to stay in my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I'm not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing--I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with--someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write--one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that this is a special occasion.

Marcus Levi Proehl - obit

2010-02-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

Rev. Marcus (Bill) L. Proehl, 79, passed away on February 1, 2010. He was born March 7, 1930 to parents Marcus Elrose and Myrtle Trowbridge in Flint, Michigan. He was reaised by his mother Myrtle and stepfather Perry Waite. He graduated High School in Flint, Indiana.

Marcus entered the Marines not long after graduation and shortly after, on October 28, 1950, he married his wife, beverly L. (Musser) Proehl. Three children were born to them, Marcus A. and his wife Susan Proehl of Mooresville, Indiana; Debra K. and Jim Prock of Danville, IN and Steven P. Proehl. Their son Steven preceded them in death in 1968. His wife, beverly, preceded him in death on April 19, 20905. Marcus has six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

After leaving the Marines, Marcus soon dedicated his life to the Lord. He started his ministry at South Scott as a youth pastor. It didn't take long for him to become a full-time pastor. He built Calvary Temple and the Carpenter Shop in Angola and the journey continued. He was an accomplished carpenter who not only built many homes but also several churches. Some of the churches were built on the mission field. He had a heart for missions and it showed in his giving.

Marcus also loved to fly. He loved to paint and play the trumpet. Everyone who knew Marcus (Bill) also knew he loved to invent things. His mind never stopped. The one thing he loved the most, though, was the Word of God. He read his Bible completely through 116 times. He started his day witht he Word and ended his day with the Word and talking to God. His faith was unshakable and his love for God was amazing. I know if he had won wish granted to him it would be that everyone would serve and love the Lord. He lived by example and was a rock that many depended on. He truly was a great man and will be missed so much.

Everyone who knew Marcus (Bill) would often hear him say, "Man, I've had a wonderful life." That he did and now it's even more wonderful.

Brain Dump - Personalities in 1 Samuel 17

2009-11-09T10:03:00.000-08:00

Goliath
- An instrument of Satan
-- Not representative of Satan himself, because we cannot kill Satan
--- In Revelation, Satan bound, then later cast into the lake of fire

- Sin
- Sinful people, perhaps
-- can't kill people, but can sever the link between demonic influencers and the influenced

Saul
Had the responsibility and the authority, but not the courage
- president, principal, leader

"with great power comes great responsibility"

"to him whom much is given, much shall be required"

Eliab
Per chpt 16, Eliab had 3 things going for him, 3 things that made Samuel think, "Surely the Lord's anointed is before him." -- Eliab was the first-born, he had a good (perhaps kingly) countenance, and he was tall.

Didn't get the position he'd wanted
- but also didn't have the backbone to stand against Goliath

When David starts to do something about Goliath, Eliab's envy manifests and he plays mind-reader.
- we, too, when a peer
-- gets 1st chair instead of us,
-- gets to be on the worship team and we do not
-- gets the lead role in a play
-- gets a better promotion than us

Jesse
Too old for the battle (even adult men considered Jesse to be an old man)
But sent support to the battle
- finances
- prayer
- time
- food

I will not let the things I cannot do keep me from doing the things I can do.

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." - Edward Everett Hale

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do." - Helen Keller

David
Anointed/Empowered and Courageous
Answered Eliab by saying, "Is there not a cause?"
Acts 1:8 -- "witnesses" also means "martyrs"

Tom Branham - Communion Service

2009-11-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

Preached during the Friday morning communion service of District Convention. Nov 6, 2009
Matt 26:26-29

The world and the government may have their thoughts about sin, but God knows when I sin, and I know when I sin, and if I don't get that sin under the blood, I won't make it to heaven.

During Passover, people would remove all leaven from their house - sweeping, cleaning cupboards, making sure not even a speck remained.

4 cups shared during Passover:
- cup of sanctification
- cup of affliction
- cup of redemption
- cup of consolation

hallel - "hall"- consummation; "el" - God; "hallel" consummation in the presence of God

First passover
lamb eaten
- under the blood of the lamb
- leaning upon their staff
- with shoes on
- ready to go

When the Israelites left Egypt, "not one feeble person among them"
- the blood is not only for redemption, but also for healing and strength

v28 - the blood of the new testament/covenant

3 Scarlet threads used during the scapegoat ceremony
- 1 tied to the priest (or at the priest's discretion, tied to the scapegoat)
- 1 tied to the scapegoat
- 1 tied to the door of the tablernacle
- legend was when the scapegoat died, this thread turned white
- Isaiah 1:18 possible written after seeing this (scarlet/red turned white as snow/wool)

At Calvary
- 1 thief died and went to hell
- 1 thief died and went to heaven - his thred turned white

Wayman Ming - Is There Not a Cause?

2009-11-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

From District Convention, Thursday Evening, Nov 5, 2009
Video: here

1 Sam 17:21-29

covenant: permanent arrangement

How is covenant birthed?
Out of a cause
1 Sam 17:57 - 18:1
- it only took one conversation
- Jon's soul was knit to David's
- Jon loved David as much as he loved himself
Note: Covenant relationship can be birthed in one conversation.

17:28 - Why are there so many Eliabs in the church?
- Think they know other's thoughts and intentions

Is there not a cause?

Many today believe there is a god, or some supernatural/spiritual force, but they don't think God cares about them.
Need to read Psalm 139
- v1 - God has searched us and knows us
- v2 - God knows every time we sit down and stand up, plus our thoughts afar off
- v3 - God knows every word on our tongue -- both the word and the motivation behind it
Pentecost: God not only knows and cares, but He indwells.

Acts 2:2
- many sounds today, but we need a sound from heaven
- a sound like a mighty, rushing wind (violent wind)
2:3 - tongues like fire (greek: lightning)

Cane Ridge, KY, in 1801
- Lexington, in 1801, was the largest city on the frontier with a population of 1800
- also a rough, sin-filled town
- outside town, a preacher started a meeting
- within a few days, 25000 to 30000 people showed up

When know what Pentecost is
We know what accompanies it
But what is the evidence of it?

Mark 16: "these signs shall follow them that believe"

If anything, your church should be known as a place where people can come and be saved, healed, and delivered.

Acts 1:8 - "and ye shall be witnesses"

Pentecost, in OT, was called the "Feast of weeks"
- a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest
- seems fitting a harvest should be evidence of Pentecost

Pentecost
- a reversal of Babel
Babel: tongues used to separate the world
Pentecost: tongues used to reach the world

We have done a disservice to Pentecost when we think it's all abotu having a good time at church.

No! Pentecost is what you do after the service.
The Holy Ghost should make you hit the streets.
- if it doesn't, it wasn't really Pentecost, because Pentecost is the celebration of the harvest

In PCG last year, 21% of churches reported zero conversions.
54% (612 churches) reported zero water baptisms.
49% reported zero Holy Ghost baptisms.

Are we really PCG? without Pentecost?

Wayman Ming - God's Plans for Us

2009-11-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

Indiana District Convention - Thursday Morning, Nov 5, 2009

Jeremiah 29:11
NKJ lists future first, then hope
- our future gives us hope

God's plans include:
- what God wants me to be - devotion
- what God wants me to do - purpose
- where God wants me to go - destiny
- what God wants me to leave - legacy

Devotion
- making God #1
- hearing God's voice every day
- obeying God's voice every day
[we need to check God's book before facebook]
- every one of us wages war with disobedience continually
- must overcome:
  . preoccupation
  . procrastination
    · "delayed obedience", which equals disobedience
    · delayed obedience = disobedience
. passivity
    · waiting until tomorrow will steal your today
    · waiting will steal your right now

Purpose
- same for all of us
- we confuse destiny and purpose
- purpose includes knowing God and making Him known

Destiny
- God's unique destination for my life
- Destiny can begin in a moment
. "Noah, build an ark"
. "Moses, go down to Egypt"
. "Samuel, fill thy horn with oil and go"
- Destiny can be defined in a moment
. Rahab hanging a scarlet thread in her window
. Three Hebrew children refusing to bow
. Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses on the door
. or....
. Cain killing Abel
. Judas kissing Christ
- Destiny will be judged over a lifetime
. David vs Goliath
. David dodging spears
. David with Bathsheba

Legacy
- leaving something for the next generation
- every deed leaves a seed
- every choice affects your voice
- Elijah's choice affected Elisha's voice.

Wayman Ming - Is There Not a Covenant?

2009-11-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

Indiana District Convention - Wednesday Evening, Nov 4, 2009
Video: here

How do I move my people from hearign to doing?
from spiritual to physical?
from preaching to life-application?
Becoming a covenant church with a covenant cause

Gen 9:11-13
Gen 17:7-8
Psalm 89:34-
Psalm 25:14

Everything we have is because of covenant

What are we? A denomination? Organization? Movement? Fellowship?

Denomination
- nom - name
- nation - people group
- de - lessens whatever follows
- don't want to be a watered-down group of people who have the same name

Organization
- Jesus did not come so that we would be organized

Movement
- group of independent and detached people who have a generic goal
- evacuation of the bowels

Fellowship - "cooperative fellowship"
- koinea - communion
- but we can (and perhaps should) cooperate with anybody

Better: "Covenant"

Three Covenants of Scripture: Blood, Marriage and Salt

Blood
Jesus shed His blood for us, but shared His blood with us
His shed blood was grace extended, but His shared blood was grace received.
His shed blood was blessing designed, but His shared blood was blessing given.

Marriage
"As long as the Lord lives"
[God is in and won't be out]

Salt
for the healing of relationships
- purity of mission
- preservation of the body

blood: spiritual
marriage: sacramental
salt: superficial [?]

blood: relationship with God
marriage: relationship with family
salt: relationship with the world

Brain Dump - Temptation

2009-10-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

lust - #1939 - a longing
-- from #1937 - to set the heart upon

tempt
- #1598 - "Thou shalt not tempt." - test thoroughly
- #551 - "cannot be tempted with evil"
--- untestable, untemptable
- #3985 - to test
--- scrutinize, entice, discipline, assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt, try

temptation - #3986

II Peter 2:9 "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation."

Matt 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40,46
- pray to avoid temptation

Lust - #2237 - pleasure

Rodney Reynolds - Misc

2009-10-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

Meditation
- to be deep in thought

Isa 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."

The fool has said in his heart there is no God.

"Let the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament his handiwork."

"day unto day uttereth speech"
- This earth speaks.

David Owens - Street Evangelism

2009-10-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

From BFWC's 2009 Generational Impact Pastors' and Leaders' Conference

Everybody cannot go.

1. Before going out to evangelize we pray. (Phil 4:6)

2. When witnessing, personal hygiene is very important. (Romans 14:21)

3. When you go out into the streets to witness, you must be bold. (Acts 4:13)

4. When taking others with you, make sure they are born again. (1 Thess 5:12)

5. While witnessing, do not speak a lot of Bible, unless who you are witnessing to knows the word. (1 Cor 2:14)
--- Scripture is like Chinese to them

6. When street evangelizing, always walk in love, and by faith. (1 Cor 13:1-2)

7. When praying for others in the streets, keep your eyes open. (Matt 26:41)

8. Be careful when praying for others. Men should not touch/lay hands on women and women should not touch/lay hands on men.

9. When evangelizing, you should have a spiritual covering. (Hebrews 13:17)

10. Street ministry will help church growth. Follow up with people you have witnessed to. (church cards, notebook to write telephone numbers down)

Russell Hylton - 10 Commandments of the Ideal Leadership Team

2009-10-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

1. Have a cheerful heart or attitude.
- shift mentally when transitioning from work (church) to home
- pastors meet and greet after church, not before

2. Practice ___[?].
- God
- Leader
- One Another
--- No gossip
--- We will not talk about someone else out of their presence untiless we are bragging on them
--- James 3:16 - "For where envying and stife is, there is confusion and every evil work."

3. Be responsible.
- if you're on time, you're late.
- if you're early, you're on time.
- be mindful of other ministries
--- if you need a stapler, don't take one from another ministry
----- requisition one
----- better yet, buy yourself one and save the church money
- clean up

4. Encourage loyalty to one another - look out for others.
- lead/show, don't tell/direct
- introduce yourself to others
- use names in conversation

5. Be a diligent worker.
- attend conferences
- show up

6. Build each other up.
- speak like we want others to speak to us
- don't enable bad traits - encourage good ones

7. Support your leader.
- realize we don't know the whole picture

8. Present a professional appearance.

9. Protect privileged information.

10. Keep actions and behavior above reproach at all times.

Russell Hylton - Mentoring Men

2009-10-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you can get a man on fire, you'll get the family.

Gospel of Mark

kingsranch.cc -- cabins in SE Indiana - minister retreat

A teacher's platform is everywhere we go, everything we say, and everything we do.

"The authority to lead comes from the ability to feed." - Wayne Baldridge of Ohio, quoting Apostle Violet Kitely

Misc Quotes

2009-09-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
- Bill Cosby

Committee--a group of men who individually can do nothing but as a group decide that nothing can be done.
- Fred Allen

We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best thing for us, we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.
- C.S. Lewis

Brain Dump - Those that turned the world upside-down

2009-09-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Luke 4:18-19

Purpose
- 1 Cor 12: placement in the body is tied to function
- Talents: Possessions tied to ability

DNA - Even in fragments, the DNA is there

II Cor 1:4 - weapons not carnal, but might

"Well Done"
- Not "Well Said"
- Not "Well Thought"

Afraid to Pray?
- We want to know the result before we pray
- We want a down payment, earnest money before
- But Faith is the substance of things hoped for evidence of things not seen

Dangerous
Acts 8:1
- persecution
- encroachment of the church into other areas
- What happens when the church breaks out of its comfort zone?

Acts 19
- "Jesus I know and Pual I know, but who are you?"

Holy Ghost
John: "I baptize with water but one mightier than I comes who shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire."
Luke 4:1 - Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, was led of the Spirit
Luke 4:14 - Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit
Lk 24:49 - Tarry ye in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high
Acts 1:8 - You shall receive power
John 20:22 - Receive ye the Holy Ghost
Acts 19 - have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?

We want to see the miracle, then tell others, but the model is to tell, then you will see.

Bob Newton - Making Room for the Presence of God

2009-08-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

II Kings 4:9-11
- a place - secret place, hidden place
When the Holy Ghost sets up house in your life, He may rearrange the furniture...
- a bed - a place of rest
- a table - a place of fellowship
- a stool - a place of judgement
- a candlestick - represents fire

Billy Wilson - A Pentecostal Awakening in America

2009-08-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

Mal 4:5-6, II Time 1:2,5-7

After the age of 40, it's all about the next generation anyway.

This generation... feels fatherless.

Your destiny will be determined by your reaction to your spiritual father.
Your legacy will be determined by your reaction to your spiritual son.

II Kings 4:32-35
- child: promised generation
- "my head" - today's kids are being attacked in their head
- gender confusion
- humanism

We have kids today trying to be in the harvest, but their heads are under attack.

II Kings 2 and 13
"My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof"
- It's one thing to say "my father", but another to mean it.
- Joash/Joram only smote the ground 3 times and did so half-heartedly

The devil knows if this next generation, with their ingenuity and technology, gets ahold of the Holy Ghost, he's in trouble.

A Real Man

2009-06-22T23:09:00.001-07:00

"A real man doesn't make love to a million diffent women. A real man loves one woman a million different ways."

Brain Dump - Lust/Addiction

2009-06-16T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Addictive Cycle
- Preoccupation
- Ritualization (drive-by, enquiry, surfing)
- Acting Out
- Shame

Four Common Threads of Distorted Thinking
- Rekindling/Re-experiencing Infatuation (Law of Diminishing Returns - bigger thrills required)
- I'm a bad, unworthy person
- No one would love me if they really knew me
- Sex is my most important need

Addict Defined
- He's hooked and he can't say no.
- The subject of his addiction gives him two things: pleasure and an illusion of intimacy

Sexual experiences swing our moods.

Walking in the Light
1. Know who you are in Christ (Rom 6)
2. Believe you live with Christ
3. Give yourself to God
4. Don't give lust a foothold

Three Elements of Victory
Perspective
Presence
Power

To my...	Consequences of Lust	Benefits of Purity
Relationship with God	Failing, Hell	See God
Marriage	Divorce, lost of trust/closeness	Love that lasts a lifetime, rejoicing with mate
Family	Single-parent kids, generational curses	Generational blessing
Job	Loss of productivity, Loss of job	Increase productivity, Better raises
Health	Degrading, HIV/AIDS	Disease-Free
Reputation	Smashed, soiled	Solid
Self-Image	Poor, suicidal	Positive
Finances	Bankrupt	Prosperous
Future	None	Good outlook

Brain Dump - Hosanna

2009-06-16T18:31:00.001-07:00

"Save Now", "Please Save", "Save us from this hell we're living in"

Need saving:
- From this hell I'm living in
- From the hell I'm headed to

The prayer of Hosanna regarding the Kingdom (Mark 11:10):
1. That it would come - in light, knowledge, power, efficacy
2. That it would conquer - and be victorious over all opposition
3. That it would continue - though it may be disturbed, may it nver be destroyed (Ps 72:17)

Matt 1:21 - Call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins (Jesus: Jehovah is Salvation)
Matt 8:25 - Disciples: Save us, we perish
Matt 14:30 - Peter, sinking, Save me
Matt 18:11 - Son of man came to save that which is lost
Matt 27:42 - He saved others; himself He cannot save
Luke 9:56 - The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them

So great is the need for a Savior to have someone to save, that if you don't ask for help, the rocks will.

If you want to learn how to praise, watch a child (preschooler)

Matt 21:9,15 - out of the mouths of babes thou hast perfected praise
Mark 11:9-10
Luke 19:38-40 - stones cry out
John 12:13
Ps 118:25 - Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord. O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.

Prosperity: to advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, be profitable.

Cool Letters: First-Time Giver

2009-06-15T21:15:00.000-07:00

[I love this letter that Oak Leaf Church sends first-time givers. This should be fairly easy to do -- Any first-time givers would be quickly detected because they would not have any record in whatever program or process the church uses to issue giving receipts.]

September 5, 2007

Dear Neil,

On behalf of the staff at Oak Leaf church, I wanted to thank you for your recent financial contribution. As far as we can tell, this may have been the very first time that you gave to Oak Leaf.

We started this church one year ago to reach out to the thousands of people in and around Cartersville who do not go to church anywhere. We are seeing lives changed, marriages strengthened, and children learn to love Jesus.

We work very hard to make sure the money is handled with integrity. We have a finance team who helps prepare an annual budget and make sure everything is spent appropriately. We conduct an annual audit becasue we want to be above reproach.

Thank you for supporting the mission and vision of this church. Because of your generosity, we will be able to reach out to people far from God and lead them to Jesus. You play a huge part in that process.

If you have any questions about the church in general, or the finances in particular, you can always call our office at NNN-NNN-NNNN. You can also e-mail person@domain. Thank you for your generous contribution.

Blessings,

Michael Lukaszewski
Lead Pastor

Declaration of Imperfection

2009-06-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

From this day forward, I, Kenneth Row, declare myself to be an imperfect parent, living with an imperfect spouse, rasing imperfect children. I hereby recognize that as a human being I have made mistakes in the past and will amek even more in the future. Although I am not excited about my mistakes, I am excited about my growth.

I have decided that I will no longer be handcuffed by my fear of the future, nor will I be crippled by remorese for the past. When I make a mistake, I will learn from it, I will grow from it, and I will progress beyond it. I will pick myself up and not put myself down.

I have come to realize that my worthiness of love is not tied to my accomplishments. As I become a better parent, I will share my shortcomings with my family so that they may also grow from my mistakes. I have decided that from this day forward, I will no longer be driven by a passion for perfections. Instead, I will be inspired by my preference for progress and my desire for growth.

Brain Dump - Cost of Indulgence

2009-06-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

I Cor 6:13
- meats fo rhte belly, the belly for meats
- Answers, "that's how I was made"
- "If God didn't want me to ____, then why did He ____?"

Appetites are natural, God-given.
God also created means to satisfy those cravings.

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomache."

Why did David pour out the water the three mighty men retrieved for him?
- appetitie
- opportunity --> entitlement
- cost of indulgence

II Samuel 23:15-17

I Cor 6

Abraham Maslow - Needs/Desires
- Transcendence
- Self-Actualization
- Aesthetic
- Learning
- Esteem
- Belonging
- Security
- Physical

Phil 3:18-19 -- enemies of the cross... whose god is their belly.

I Cor 9:27 - I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.

Galations 5:24 - They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Brain Dump - Remarkable

2009-06-15T19:06:00.001-07:00

Think your church is remarkable? If nobody's remarking, then it may just be average.

How can one know if their church is remarkable? Check to see if anyone's remarking.

Jesus was remarkable -- His "fame went out"; He "grew in favor with God and men".
The early church was -- "those that turned the world upside down..."

Ever notice that Starbucks never advertises on TV? No need -- they are remarkable.

Red Herrings for Remarkability (Distractions, Dead-Ends)
- Traditional Marketing
- Logos
- Money and/or Funding

Real-World Examples of "the best" or "remarkable"
- Janko's Little Zagreb - best steak
- Taquiera Los Amigos - best tacos & salsa
- Starbucks - no ads, consistent delivery
- Greek's - best pizza, best kitchen-side table
- Jackson's Gas Station in Bedford - cheaper gas
- BP/Wild Bean Cafe - free samples of coffees & drinks
- Perry Noble - going to camp with teens

Is being remarkable essentially competing with the church down the street?
- Ask self, how badly do you want to keep your best people in your church?

Some remarkability is aesthetics, but aesthetics are not trivial -- ask David or Solomon or Moses how trivial the temple aesthetics were.

"Remarkable doesn't mean remarkable to you. It means remarkable to me. Am I going to make a remark about it? If not, then you're average, and average is for losers." - Seth Godin

Antonyms for Remarkable:
- underwhelming
- average

Actions or Steps Towards Remarkability:

Improve on your strengths. Pr 22: "See a man who skills in his work..."

Create. Don't Copycat

Eliminate Repulsive Distractions

"Be the change you want to see in others."
"Lead yourself first."
"If you have to tell someone you are, then you aren't."

"Covet to Prophesy"
- Genuine prophesy is always remarkable.
- It'll cause a sinner to fall down and worship God.

Involve Others

Undersell and Over-deliver

God's people should be remarkable.
- Christ came to give us "life more abundantly" (super-abundant).
- Christians should get the best raises, be the last to be let go, win the employee-of-the-month awards over and again.
They will "know we are Christians by our love."
"let your love be without dissimulation."

Brain Dump - Strategies for Reaching the Lost

2009-06-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Are we reaching the lost or just the already convinced?
- How many baptized?
- What percent of growth?

Much of what we do is geared for our crowd.
- the worship
- the word
- the announcements

Much outreach is to those like us
- "You would like our church. You would fit in."

Church advertising is aimed at church people.
ToDo: Collect samples of ads - newspapers, web, signs, ...

To gain the lost...
- Must replace "come y'all" with "go ye"
  . go into highways and byways and compel them to come
  . the woman at the well said, come and see, but only after she went
  . "Launch into the deep"

- How many unsaved friends to you have?
  . Matthew parties - the newly converted still have unsaved friends.

- Must realize the lost won't respond to our ads.
  . The exception is the previously churched
    - The two groups of sinners Christians most often pray for:
      . The previously churched (aka backsliders)
      . Unsaved loved ones
  . Vince Antonucci's story of visiting a church for the first time
  . ToDo: Collect pics of buildings/clubs around town (VFW, Lions, Elks, ...)
  . The point: I've never been to the Lions club. I don't even know if they'd let me in. Do I have be have a membership? Do I have to be invited? What happens inside the Lions' club?

- The Engle Scale

- Tolerance/Grace (we are the ambassadors/custodians of grace).

Albert Mehrabian - the 7%/38%/55% Rule

2009-06-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

Note that the following rule, per Mehrabian, applies to discerning whether one likes or dislikes a thing. Critics state that the rule cannot be expanded to public speaking and that the 7/38/55 numbers are imprecise.

The 7/38/55 Rule:

If there is any "incongruency" between words, vocal tone, or body language, the hearer gets more meaning from what they see than what they hear. 55% of meaning is derived visually, 38% from the vocal tone, and only 7% from the actual words.

Kim Meyer - Communications Filters/Evaluations

2009-06-15T12:57:00.002-07:00

Filter for communcations (web, brochures, etc.):

Is it a tool, or is it just cool?
What problem is it solving?
What is the return on ministry?

Three Evaluations for Anything:

Is it appealing? Why would another spend their time on or in this?
Is it engaging?
Is it helpful?

Bert Decker - The Preparation Triangle

2009-06-15T12:57:00.001-07:00

What's my point?
|\
|.\
|..> What action do I want people to take?
|./
|/
What's the benefit in it for them?

Tim Stevens - Ingredients to Buzz

2009-06-15T12:49:00.000-07:00

Beliefs
You must believe in your core that:

People matter to God
It is important for people to meet God and to come into relationship with Him.

Impact
Buzz only happenbs if you're having an impact.
Impact: an immediate and strong effect.

Language
Understand the language (pop-culture).
Speak the language.
Leverage the culture -- use culture to God's advantage.
[Think of how missionaries work.]
"Speaking someone's language is the first step toward gaining a hearing from them."

Buzz can be sustained only if your church is doing that to which it has been called: Working to change lives.

Mark Hughes -- Six Things People Talk About

2009-06-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

The unusual
The outrageous
The Taboo
The Hilarious
The Remarkable
The Secretive

Mark Hughes - Buzz Marketing.

Rick Clendenen - Notes from BFWC on 4/5/09

2009-06-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

God puts people in your life for reasons and seasons.

Matthew 20:20-28 (the 20/20 vision of leadership)

"Go Getters to Go Givers"

J.D. Parrish - "Wounds ooze blood but scars ooze wisdom". A man entering the church foyer once called out, "Is there any wisdom in here?" J.D. Parrish responded, "There should be -- there's plenty of scars!"

There is a difference between the world's way and God's way.
Leadership's going to cost you something -- salvation's free, but not it's not cheap.
Kingdom promotion comes through submission. Submission means moving without detail -- you don't have to have the t's crossed and i's dotted.
Your level of authority equals your level of submission.
Leaders must set the example of what they want in their leaders

Five Lessons Learned:

The Law of Value
Matt 10:29-31
There is a difference between value and cost/price.
America knows the cost of everything, but the value of nothing.
True worth is not your paycheck.
Value is what you leave in others.

The Law of Compensation
Matt 6:31-34
Income determined by ___?

The Law of Influence
Ps 75:6-7
Your influence is determined by how much you place the needs of others above your own.

The Law of Authenticity
I Cor 13:1-3
Must be the same in and out of church.
Must be real.

The Law of Reciprocation
Gal 6:6-10
The key to being able to effectively give is to be able to humbly receive.
What if God wanted us to give $1 million? Most of us would have to receive it first.
God wants to get us to where we are giving amounts we don't have.

Brain Dump - Effective Communication

2009-06-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

SUCCEsS (From Made to Stick):
Simple
Unexpected
Credible
Concrete
Emotional
Stories

Make everything as simple as possible, but no simpler. - Einstein

Preach your own sermons

Dripping with your own blood, sweat, and tears
Given for your place and time

Prepare on your knees (or your face)

Make it visual

A movie
Act it out
Big pictures

Know your point

Is it to transfer information?
Or is it to bring about change?

Richard C. Borden's Speech Method

2009-06-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine a crowd that yells the following four questions...

Ho-hum!
Why bring that up?
For instance?
So what?

The remedies:

Start a fire
Build a bridge
Get down to cases
Ask for action

Marcus Kelley - Miscellaneous

2009-04-24T08:17:00.000-07:00

Pastor used to say, "Opportunity + Preparedness = Success."

Rodney Reynolds - Who Shall Declare His Generation?

2009-04-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 53:1-5 -- note "He"
vs 6-8 -- note "We"
The Ethiopian eunuch had been reading this part of Isaiah.

Man tends to worship.
Native Cultures worship.

Romans 10:13-15 -- there is something special about a preacher

Gal 6:9 -- quoted often by pastor's granny

Lorretta Kelley - Misc

2009-04-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

[In Sermon on Matt 11:28-30]
Ponder: What is the difference between Christ's yoke and our cross?

Rest: An inward holiday

God's rules are given to either protect you or provide for you. His teachings help us.

Ties of financial bondage:
- wanting more than I have
- not asking God, "Can I have this now?"

Cindy Jacobs - Possessing the Gates of the Enemy

2009-04-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

Ed Silvoso's definition:

A stronghold is a mindset impregnated with hopelessness that causes the believer to accept as unchangeable something that he/she knows is contrary to the will of God.

Rights we have to give up in order to tear down strongholds:

The right to be offended.
The right to our time.
The right to do what we want with our possessions.
The right to self-pity.
The right to self-justification.
The right to be understood.
The right to criticize.

Brannon House - WorldView Weekend

2009-04-24T05:41:00.000-07:00

[Notes from the WorldView Weekend held in Indy in March 21 2009]
Worldview determines values. Values determine conduct.

Five Specific National Consequences for Rejecting God

Romans 1:21-22: They become a nation of fools.
Romans 1:25: They access pagan spirituality (focus on worshipping nature and ultimately ending guilt)
Romans 1:26-27: They accept homosexuality as normal
Romans 1:28: They become a debased and violent nation.
Romans 1:32: The nation's judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government promote, approve of, and encourage immorality and corruption.

Feminism:
- Anti-Fathers
- Anti-Family

Goals of Cultural Marxism:
1. Destroy Christianity
2. Create Chaos

Political Correctness = Cultural Marxism -- An attempt by the cultural elite to have you use words that deny the existence of God

Christian Response
Speak truth in love

Transcendental Meditation making inroads into church teachings as:
- Contemplative Prayer
- Centering Prayer
- Breath Prayer

C.S. Lewis's Three Stages of Worldview?
1. There is one God
2. There is no God
3. There are many gods

Five Reasons for the Rise of Pagan Spirituality

The New Spirituality gives them spiritual license to justify their rebellion against the God of the Bible.
The New Spirituality is a spiritual salve for their guilty conscience.
The New Spirituality allows them to interpret truth as what works for them and makes them happy.
The New Spirituality fits the cultural mandates of tolerance and pluralism.
The New Spirituality justifies their political liberalism.

Christians should respond to Pagan Spirituality like Paul did to the Stoics (Cosmic Humanists):
- referenced the idol to the unknown God
- declared to them the one true God

Three Responses to Paul's Message
1. Laughter
2. Requests for more info.
3. Belief

One-World Spirituality is comprised of three worldviews
- Darwinian Evolution
- Hindu Pantheism
- Occultism

Its Goal:
- One Government
- One Financial System
- One Religion

"Fabian Socialism": - Socialism through evolution, not revolution

John Maynard Caines (sp?) teaches create socialism through inflation

Saul Olansky (sp?) taught Fabian Socialism. Obama taught Olansky's book 4 years. Hillary wrote her thesis on Saul Olansky.

Verses to ponder:
Gal 4:16 - I have become your enemy because I tell you the truth
II Tim 3:12 - all who live godly shall suffer persecution
Rom 8:18 - sufferings not worthy to compare to the glory

Church Plant Fundraising

2009-04-08T18:45:00.001-07:00

via Behind the Leaf by Michael on 4/7/09

Some of the most common questions we get on this blog are in the area of fund raising. One such question is "how much does it cost to plant a church."

My answer: everything you've got.

If you raise $50,000 then you'll spend every bit of it. If you have less, it can cost less. If you raise more, it can cost more. There's no set number.

I know of churches with amazing funding who blew threw it and never made it. And I know churches that launched on shoestring budgets that are doing well.

Just so you know, between January 1, 2006 and August 20, 2006 (our grand opening), we spent about $55,000 on everything. That included equipment, marketing, outreach and salaries. Our first mailout went to 5,000 homes because that's how much money we had. If we got something on Sunday, we spent it on Monday.

I write about fundraising in my upcoming book, and I'm sure we'll hit on it in an upcoming coaching network.

BehindTheLeaf - Church Planter Leadership Style

2009-04-08T18:44:00.001-07:00

Michael at BehindTheLeaf lists three leadership styles of church planters:

The Pastor-Shepherd
This is the kind of guy that knows names, really cares for people, and is a pastor in the traditional sense of the word.
The Entrepreneur
This is the get-it-done, driven, almost business like leader. He probably understands marketing and leadership well. He's got a big vision, and often has the plan to make it happen.
The Teacher
This is the guy that just loves to teach. Maybe he was a youth pastor. But this person has stage presence and the ability to teach the Bible with creativity, passion, and relevance.

Michael goes on to describe the weaknesses of each type. He also states that it's possible for people to be a blend of two different leadership types, but he's never seen anyone who was a blend of all three.

Michael says that a senior pastor of one leadership type should look for a different leadership type in staff appointments.

Rick Clendenen - Notes from Quality Inn

2009-04-04T23:07:00.000-07:00

People come to your church because they have a need.
People stay because you need them.
You have six months.
Six months to turn them from a member to a minister before they leave.

People leave a church for two reasons:
1. They are not informed.
2. They are not involved.

Three peaks in a person's life:

Physical
From age 17 to 35.
David, the Giant Killer.
Had to say, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures," because he wouldn't lie still otherwise.

Mental
From age 35 on to debiliation.
David, the Wounded Warrior (you will get hurt -- can't avoid it)
Said, "He restoreth my soul"

Vocational
From ages (50 to 60)
David, the General
Sat at the table prepared before him.

Stages in life:
20's - Adventure
30's - Analytical
40's - Assimilating
50's - Aggression

Four hurdles you must overcome every time you advance from one level to another:

1. Incomplete Relationships
Every time you move, there will be some relationships you haven't finished yet, some that sever, some that oppose your move.
You must put Jesus first, and let the others deal with it.

2. Possessions
You won't be able to take everything you have.
You must give everything you have to God. When you do so, he will supply your need.

3. Unforgiveness
You must make Jesus your Lord and judge, and get rid of any bitterness.
You know you're there when you're ready to forgive the people who God used to chisel you to make you what are are.

4. Memory
You can easily get hung up on your memories of 1, 2, and 3 -- those past relationships, possessions, or hurts.
You must forget what's behind, and make Jesus your focus.

Rick Clendenen - Notes from Dinner at Christo's - 4/4/09

2009-04-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

Must shift from institutional to family-relational.

Larry asked:: Does relationship bring people deeper?
When a bishop stays a length of time, districts advance due to the depth of the relationships.

Larry asked: What are the biggest challenges you see?
We must have a system for turning members into ministers.
Consumers think the church is for them.
"The gospel was not created for man, but man was created for the gospel."

Indian: "Please don't pray the persecution will stop."

The gospel goes forth by the blood of the martyrs.

It doesn't require any faith to be blessed.

Elevator: we push up - more money, better house, better car.
they push down - take my house, take my car

Question: What does commitment look like?
In India, services are timed by how long it takes to get from city hall to the location (17 min, 12 min, ...)

How many would show up here if the police threatened to arrest us?

Commitment isn't seen in attendance or tithe, but willingness to die.

One church in India multiplied 7 times in 2 years.

Story of John - motorcycle wreck
- asked for mom and dad, but a friend brought 2 Pentecostal ladies who spoke in tongues over him and prophesied, "If you surrender to God, you will live, but if not, you will die."
- John surrendered. The hospital washed the blood off him and sent him home.

Recommended reading: Apostolic Revolution by David Cartiledge

God has no daughters or grandchildren.
"As many as received Him, He gave power to be sons of God."
Some of God's best sons are women.
Male/female is for procreation. In the Kingdom, there are sons.

Christianity, if reduced to one person:
- black, not white
- female, not male
- peasant
- Nigerian

1.2 million Nigerians were filled with the Holy Ghost in one night of one meeting.

In Kenya, a 4 a.m. prayer meeting had 500 intercessors in attendance.

Regarding the Discipleship Ministries seminar...
Need to learn why people aren't coming.
Would a different day be better?

Dale Yearton asks 3 questions after every event...

What's the best that happened?
- young marrieds found help

What's the worst that happened?
- 4/5 of the district missed out

What can we do better?
- earlier marketing
- church or pastor visits?
- ask speaker for mailing/invite suggestions

Could we guarantee 12 churches to come with their leaders?
- Need to sit down with 30 pastors
- Tell what we're doing
- Ask each for commitment -- would each come and bring their leaders

What if each of the 6 pastors who came carried the message to another 5?

Question: What should a spiritual orphan do?
The last prophecy in Malachi (dads' hearts to their kids, kids' hearts to their dads)
- the fathers initiate
- the children pursue
- The curse is Fatherlessness

Bishop shows the authority
Paul defended his position (2 Cor) by showing the relationships (10,000 ?)

The spirit of Elijah is:
- Prophetic - vision, revelation
- Apostolic - authority
- Fathering - relationship

Cartledge: "We're not voting on fathers every 3 years."

History
Episcopos - one leader, but that leader drifted, so we then went to...
Presbertos - a group to watch the leader, but when the group went south, we went to...
Congregation - to vote on the group to watch the leader.

But that's backwards!

We need one man who leads a group who leads the congregation.

SAIC Tip of the Day: Writing: What to Capitalize in a Headline

2009-02-06T11:33:00.001-08:00

Writing Tip: What words do you capitalize in a headline?
28 Jan 2009

Headline capitalization can be tricky, but here are some basic rules to follow:

Capitalize the first and last word of a headline.

Capitalize all parts of speech (e.g., verbs, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, etc.) except:
- articles: a, an, the
- short conjunctions: and, but, for, nor
- prepositions that are three letters or less: on, in

The main exceptions are those short pesky prepositions that are used as conjunctions, adverbs or adjectives. Here are some examples:

Press the On Button to Start the Machine (adjective) or Speaker Rambles On at Conference (adverb) vs. Man Works at SAIC, Lives on Farm (preposition)

Kids Face Pressure to Join the In Crowd (adjective) or Vote Tally Is In — Minnesota Has New Governor (adverb) vs. Lion Escapes Zoo, Attacks Visitors in Zoo (preposition)

Find this definition and more in the SAIC House Style Guide.
Tip submitted by Bonnie Nicholls in San Diego, California.

Gary Johnson, Sermon at Awaken Ministry Conference

2007-12-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

In 1906, William J. Seymour gave three prophecies regarding the latter days:

There would be an over-emphasis on power, rather than on righteousness.
There would be an over-emphasis on praise to a God they no longer pray to.
There would be an over-emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit rather than on the Lordship of the Messiah!

Likewise, Gary Johnson brought three words for us today:

Lack of prayer is a problem.
Worshiping on Sunday to get fixed, but breaking on Monday when we should be fixing others.
Should be breaking barriers and seeing/living the Kingdom here.

Regarding the ox cart:

A cart is big wheels and boards
God's presence does not move by big wheels and boards.

Eph 6 - The Belt of truth

every weapon is attached to the belt

He 13:5 - "What God has said" - The Book

Eccl 7:18 "Blessed is the man who hangs onto this without letting go of that" - The Balance

We need the belt for our tools, the book for the truth, the balance to meet the needs.

The heat separates the fake from the genuine.

If you have been hurt, wounded, cut, stung, or bitten, as soon as you can, start getting over it.

The enemy is smart. If he can wound you, he will take five others out (4 to carry the soldier, 1 to operate the radio).

Joshua Harris, sermon re: Lust

2007-12-21T11:17:00.000-08:00

If you have no problem with lust, then you're:

Stronger than Samson
Godlier than David
Wiser than Solomon

Lust customizes a plan to destroy each one of us

Not one-size-fits-all
tailored to our experiences, tendencies, habits...

Lust ensnares with false promises of satisfaction.

Says, "just once, never again"

Lust pays attention to the little battles.

Timelines in Abraham's Life

2007-12-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

	Abe's Age	Sarah's Age
Abraham leaves Haran	75
Hagar births Ishmael	86
God changes names	99
Isaac born	100
Sarah dies		127
Isaac marries	140
Abraham dies	175

Roger Dowd, When It's Time to Change Garments

2007-12-21T11:02:00.000-08:00

Joseph wore four distinct garments in his life:

The Coat of Many Colors
Slave Garments under Potiphar
Prison Garments
Royal Garments as 2nd-in-Command

Per Charles Swindoll:

Surprises are always part of God’s leading.
Surprises always intensify our faith.
Stepping out in faith always brings clarification to God’s plan.
Obedience always stimulates growth.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Vernell Ingle, Revisiting the Commission

2007-12-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

Matt 28:19

God can give us whole neighborhoods, communities, cities
example: the work God's doing in Uganda
- was one of the worst, most sinful
- Results of expectancy and intercession (prayer and fasting)
If God is a great God, we can have great expectations

I Tim 4:16

Message should be the same as the life.
Give attention to, guard
- yourself - conform to God
- doctrine - the message
If you will guard your character, God will guard your reputation.

Matthew 28

"Go" is not a verb/command. In the Greek, it's a participle meaning "In Your going."

If we don't live the message out there, they won't want to hear it inside.

"Teach" is the command, but is a different word than the common Greek for "Teach." This Greek is "disciple."

Too often we think, "Get them to the altar."

But the altar doesn't have to be in the church
But the command isn't just save them and leave them
- When they get saved, the process just begins.

Rev 3:20 - not the door of a sinner's heart, but the door of a church.

The church was doing fine regarding finances and programs, but Jesus wasn't involved.

Discipleship

We need to discover the joy of discovering who God has given us.

Two Kinds of Discipleship

Group
One-on-one

Evangelism doesn't end with conversion, but follows through with teaching and pouring your life into them.

A true disciple is one who absorbs the Christ life.

Eph 4:11-16

Not a one-man show, but a living organism

12-13

Work of the ministry is to turn converts into ministers
Program: The Navigators - a 7 yr program

v. 11 -- 4 Offices: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors-Teachers

Paul used the Greek for Pastor only once, but the word for teacher was used twice as much as "pastor", "preacher", and "preaching".

Teachers: The more you get to know the students, the more receptive they'll be

Pastors: Disciple your staff and leaders

Phil 2:5 - Let this mind be in you

Christ washing feet
- Servanthood is our goal

Vernell Ingle, Importance of the Family

2007-12-18T23:17:00.000-08:00

Ministry is not just credentials, but also service.

The qualifications for elders list family first.

If personal life is messed up, have no business getting a larger sphere of influence.

Bishop Tom Branham, Communion Sermon, 2007 District Convention

2007-12-18T23:06:00.000-08:00

Matthew 26:26 - Communion

Didn't fully observe passover
- Didn't stay under blood overnight
- But went to the mountain
Christ's time with his disciples was more important than religious form, function and process.

The Setting

Judas was among them
- Note: Jesus completed his ministry with a backslider on his board.
Jesus was among them
- The King and Savior
- Discerner, good discerner, of thoughts/intents of the heart

Bread and Wine

Bread = Strength - poised for a change
Wine = Joy

Perry Noble

2007-12-18T22:58:00.000-08:00

Engage

Grab the attention of the attendees

Enlarge

Grow the church
Target the sinners that no other church wants

Endure

Small Groups
Volunteers
"A church is not effect when the pastor ministers to people. A church is effective when people minister to people."

Enable

Tommy Barnett ?

2007-11-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

A good idea becomes great when the people are ready. The individual who is impatient with people will be defective in leadership. The evidence of strength lies not in streaking ahead, but in adapting your stride to the slower pace of others while not forfeiting your lead. If we run too far ahead, we lose our power to influence.

Chuck Pierce, on Praise the Lord

2007-11-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Trouble never comes to test what you're doing. Trouble comes to test who you are.

...

The enemy is trying to get someone to second-guess their call.

Walt Disney

2007-11-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

Do what you do so well that people can't resist telling others about you.

MIchael Abrashoff, Next: Right Now, Fast Company June 2003

2007-11-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

...you want their best effort, their most creative response. You want them totally committed to your cause and to one another. But here's the kicker: Your job is to train them to give that to you.

...

They need to believe in you as the living exemplar of a clear purpose that you communicate to them every day, in ways large and small. They need to know why you are asking them to risk their lives, how you define victory, and how they will be rewarded by following you to the end.

...

Waging and winning war is all about your people. You can't win unless your people believe in their purpose far more strongly than the enemy's people do.

Donny Deutsch, Fast Talk: My Toughest Assignment, Fast Company June 2003

2007-11-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

You have to surprise, charm, and engage people. The riskiest proposition of all is sticking to the status quo, especially in conservative times.

Lee Strobel, Outreach Magazine, July/August 2004

2007-11-17T07:32:00.000-08:00

I ask pastors if their church has someone in charge of outreach only to hear, "Well, we can't really afford that." I inquire about their strategy for spreading the Gospel and get, "We'll just let our light shine and hope people notice." I ask if they're training their congregation to share their faith, and they respond, "I think I preached on that a couple of years ago."

Tony Campolo, Point of View, Outreach Magazine July/August 2004

2007-11-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

The churches that are growing are the ones that have turned evangelism into something all of their members do.

...

How many of you were led to Christ because some ordinary person loved you and wouldn't let go of you until you made a decision about Him?

...

My question to pastors - and it's a question they should be asking themselves - is not, "Who is coming to your church?" but rather "Who isn't coming?"