Serving
Notes from a Weds PM class at Hillcrest Christian Church...
The word "serve" is one of the biggest themes in the Bible and the preferred title of saints.
"Serve" or "servant" are mentioned 1100 times in scripture.
"Servant" was the coveted title of many from Abraham to Paul.
Gen 16: The God Who Sees
A few interesting topics or sermonettes in Gen 16:
- The first (possible, but weak/sketchy/slight) mention of sex slavery
- the angel asking Hagar, “Where’d you come from and where are you going?”
- Hagar’s name for God: “The God Who Sees [me].”
- Hagar’s name for the well: “The Well of the Living God Who Sees Me.”
Thom S. Rainer - Simple Church
p26To have a simple church, you must have a simple discipleship process. This process must be clear. It must move people toward maturity. It must be integrated fully into your church, and you must get rid of the clutter around it.
p33
People have come to know Christ, and they have stayed at the church. They have gotten plugged into ministry and are contributing to the body of Christ.
p43
[Re: Mk 2:27] Programs are made for man, not man for programs. If the goal is to keep certain things going, the church is in trouble. The end result must always be about people. Programs should only be tools.
Divine Providence, by Mrs. M.A.W. Cook
In some way or other
The Lord will provide;
It may not be my way,
It may not be thy way,
And yet in His own way,
The Lord will provide.
At some time or other
The Lord will provide,
It may not be my time.
It may not be thy time.
And yet in His own time,
The Lord will provide.
Despond then no longer,
The Lord will provide;
And this be the token—
No word He hath spoken
Was ever yet broken.
The Lord will provide.
March on, then, right boldly
The sea shall divide;
The pathway made glorious
With shoutings victorious,
We'll join in the chorus
The Lord will provide.
The Lord will provide;
It may not be my way,
It may not be thy way,
And yet in His own way,
The Lord will provide.
At some time or other
The Lord will provide,
It may not be my time.
It may not be thy time.
And yet in His own time,
The Lord will provide.
Despond then no longer,
The Lord will provide;
And this be the token—
No word He hath spoken
Was ever yet broken.
The Lord will provide.
March on, then, right boldly
The sea shall divide;
The pathway made glorious
With shoutings victorious,
We'll join in the chorus
The Lord will provide.
I Have a Problem
Source: Ray Comfort's facebook page.
“FATHER, I HAVE a problem. It’s weighing heavy on me. It’s all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer, I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me—those in this world who have hardly enough food for this day, and for those who don’t have a roof over their heads at night. I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in hospitals with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition. I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging, whose only ‘escape’ is death.
“I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer’s disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of AIDS, for those who are in such despair that they are contemplating suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their deathbeds in hospitals.
“Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don’t know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ . . . for those who in a moment of time will be swept into hell by the cold hand of death, and find to their utter horror the unspeakable vengeance of eternal fire. They will be eternally damned to everlasting punishment. O God, I pray for them.
“Strange. I can’t seem to remember what my problem was. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
“FATHER, I HAVE a problem. It’s weighing heavy on me. It’s all I can think about, night and day. Before I bring it to you in prayer, I suppose I should pray for those who are less fortunate than me—those in this world who have hardly enough food for this day, and for those who don’t have a roof over their heads at night. I also pray for families who have lost loved ones in sudden death, for parents whose children have leukemia, for the many people who are dying of brain tumors, for the hundreds of thousands who are laid waste with other terrible cancers, for people whose bodies have been suddenly shattered in car wrecks, for those who are lying in hospitals with agonizing burns over their bodies, whose faces have been burned beyond recognition. I pray for people with emphysema, whose eyes fill with terror as they struggle for every breath merely to live, for those who are tormented beyond words by irrational fears, for the elderly who are wracked with the pains of aging, whose only ‘escape’ is death.
“I pray for people who are watching their loved ones fade before their eyes through the grief of Alzheimer’s disease, for the many thousands who are suffering the agony of AIDS, for those who are in such despair that they are contemplating suicide, for people who are tormented by the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. I pray for children who have been abandoned by their parents, for those who are sexually abused, for wives held in quiet despair, beaten and abused by cruel drunken husbands, for people whose minds have been destroyed by mental disorders, for those who have lost everything in floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. I pray for the blind, who never see the faces of the ones they love or the beauty of a sunrise, for those whose bodies are deformed by painful arthritis, for the many whose lives will be taken from them today by murderers, for those wasting away on their deathbeds in hospitals.
“Most of all, I cry out for the millions who don’t know the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ . . . for those who in a moment of time will be swept into hell by the cold hand of death, and find to their utter horror the unspeakable vengeance of eternal fire. They will be eternally damned to everlasting punishment. O God, I pray for them.
“Strange. I can’t seem to remember what my problem was. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
When Lust Conceives
John Gill -
Then when lust hath conceived…
A proposal of pleasure or profit being made, agreeable to lust, or the principle of corrupt nature, sinful man is pleased with it; and instead of resisting and rejecting the motion made, he admits of it, and receives it, and cherishes it in his mind; he dallies and plays with it; he dwells upon it in his thoughts, and hides it under his tongue, and in his heart, as a sweet morsel, and forsakes it not, but contrives ways and means how to bring it about; and this is lust's conceiving. The figure is used in (Psalms 7:14) on which Kimchi, a Jewish commentator, has this note; ``he (the psalmist) compares the thoughts of the heart (Nwyrhl) , "to a conception", and when they go out in word, this is "travail", and in work or act, this is "bringing forth".''
Matthew Henry -
Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; that is, sin being allowed to excite desires in us, it will soon ripen those desires into consent, and then it is said to have conceived.
Robertson's Word Pictures -
Then (eita). The next step. The lust (h epiqumia). Note article, the lust (verse 2 Peter 14) which one has. When it hath conceived (sullabousa). Second aorist active participle of sullambanw, old word to grasp together, in hostile sense (Acts 26:21), in friendly sense of help (Philippians 4:3), in technical sense of a woman taking a man's seed in conception (Luke 1:24), here also of lust (as a woman), "having conceived." The will yields to lust and conception takes place. Beareth sin (tiktei amartian). Present active indicative of tiktw to bring forth as a mother or fruit from seed, old verb, often in N.T., here only in James. Sin is the union of the will with lust. See Psalms 7:14 for this same metaphor. The sin (h amartia). The article refers to amartia just mentioned.
Then when lust hath conceived…
A proposal of pleasure or profit being made, agreeable to lust, or the principle of corrupt nature, sinful man is pleased with it; and instead of resisting and rejecting the motion made, he admits of it, and receives it, and cherishes it in his mind; he dallies and plays with it; he dwells upon it in his thoughts, and hides it under his tongue, and in his heart, as a sweet morsel, and forsakes it not, but contrives ways and means how to bring it about; and this is lust's conceiving. The figure is used in (Psalms 7:14) on which Kimchi, a Jewish commentator, has this note; ``he (the psalmist) compares the thoughts of the heart (Nwyrhl) , "to a conception", and when they go out in word, this is "travail", and in work or act, this is "bringing forth".''
Matthew Henry -
As holiness consists of two parts-forsaking that which is evil and cleaving to that which is good, so these two things, reversed, are the two parts of sin. The heart is carried from that which is good, and enticed to cleave to that which is evil."Their sin lies at their own door, and therefore their blood will lie upon their own heads."
Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; that is, sin being allowed to excite desires in us, it will soon ripen those desires into consent, and then it is said to have conceived.
Robertson's Word Pictures -
Then (eita). The next step. The lust (h epiqumia). Note article, the lust (verse 2 Peter 14) which one has. When it hath conceived (sullabousa). Second aorist active participle of sullambanw, old word to grasp together, in hostile sense (Acts 26:21), in friendly sense of help (Philippians 4:3), in technical sense of a woman taking a man's seed in conception (Luke 1:24), here also of lust (as a woman), "having conceived." The will yields to lust and conception takes place. Beareth sin (tiktei amartian). Present active indicative of tiktw to bring forth as a mother or fruit from seed, old verb, often in N.T., here only in James. Sin is the union of the will with lust. See Psalms 7:14 for this same metaphor. The sin (h amartia). The article refers to amartia just mentioned.
Things You Never Hear in Church
(Seen on facebook)
- Hey! It's my turn to sit in the front pew.
- I was so enthralled, I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.
- Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.
- I've decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.
- I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.
- Forget the denominational minimum salary, let's pay our pastor so he/she can live like we do.
- I love it when we sing hymns I've never heard before!
- Since we're all here, let's start the service early.
- Pastor, we'd like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas.
- Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!
- I couldn't find space to park outside. Praise God!!
The Lord is My Shepherd — That’s Relationship!
You may have seen this gem before in a chain email or on the internet. It's been around long enough you might even find a copy tucked inside an old family Bible. The author is unknown.
The Lord is my Shepherd
— that’s RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want
— that’s SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
— that’s REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters
— that’s REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul
— that’s HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
— that’s GUIDANCE!
For His name sake
— that’s PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
— that’s PROTECTION!
For thou art with me
— that’s FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
— that’s COMFORT!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
— that’s HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil
— that’s CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over
— that’s ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
— that’s BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
— that’s SECURITY!
Forever
— that’s ETERNITY!
The Lord is my Shepherd
— that’s RELATIONSHIP!
I shall not want
— that’s SUPPLY!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
— that’s REST!
He leadeth me beside still waters
— that’s REFRESHMENT!
He restoreth my soul
— that’s HEALING!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
— that’s GUIDANCE!
For His name sake
— that’s PURPOSE!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil
— that’s PROTECTION!
For thou art with me
— that’s FAITHFULNESS!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
— that’s COMFORT!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
— that’s HOPE!
Thou anointest my head with oil
— that’s CONSECRATION!
My cup runneth over
— that’s ABUNDANCE!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
— that’s BLESSING!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
— that’s SECURITY!
Forever
— that’s ETERNITY!
Adversity's Blast
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
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
2010 and 2011 Tweets
Oct 3, 2011
Finished Wheat Belly by William Davis
Jun 26, 2011
"If you want to convince people that Jesus is alive, then start praying for the sick." ~ Karl Hargestam
Jun 24, 2011
"The just shall live by faith". They can't waltz through life -- God brings them through stuff that mandates faith.
Jun 16, 2011
It's moving day! I'm hoping to load 2 trucks in under 4 hours... overly optimistic? We'll see.
Jun 7, 2011
"The greater the process one walks through, the greater the promotion will be. Before God can promote you, He has to process you." ~ T.D. Jakes
Jun 10, 2011
God, You brought order out of chaos in the beginning. I ask that You do it again with this chaos that overwhelms me today.
May 27, 2011
When the kids fight over who gets to say grace, it kinda defeats the purpose. Ditto for adults and church work.
May 26, 2011
"On the other side of the flood, you'll walk on land that's dry!" ~ Russell Hylton
May 26, 2011
Song mashup idea: He Hath Made Me Glad + He'll Do It Again.
May 26, 2011
This is the day that the Lord has made; I WILL rejoice... Sometimes you just gotta will yourself to do a thing.
May 26, 2011
Me: Go back to bed, you're grouchy. 3yo: I'm not freaking grouchy!
Jul 8, 2010
"Only 2 kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done', and those to whom God says, 'All right, have it your way.'" ~ C. S. Lewis
Brain Dump -- Learning from a Redwood About Ministry that Endures
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)
- 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
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!
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
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
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
... 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.
Three Things Peter Did Not Have Before Pentecost
What three things did Peter not have before the day of Pentecost?
SAYING POWER
PRAYING POWER
STAYING POWER
No saying power when he said he wouldn’t deny Jesus. (He didn’t know what he was SAYING.)
No praying power because he couldn’t pray in the garden.
No staying power — when they came to take Jesus, Peter walked afar off and left Jesus.
Look at Peter’s life after Pentecost.
He spoke the word boldly and 3000 were saved (SAYING POWER)
He prayed for the lame man at the gate and he was healed (PRAYING POWER)
He was steadfast from that day on (STAYING POWER)
— Sister Margaret Penny’s status on Facebook, Jan 26, 2011
SAYING POWER
PRAYING POWER
STAYING POWER
No saying power when he said he wouldn’t deny Jesus. (He didn’t know what he was SAYING.)
No praying power because he couldn’t pray in the garden.
No staying power — when they came to take Jesus, Peter walked afar off and left Jesus.
Look at Peter’s life after Pentecost.
He spoke the word boldly and 3000 were saved (SAYING POWER)
He prayed for the lame man at the gate and he was healed (PRAYING POWER)
He was steadfast from that day on (STAYING POWER)
— Sister Margaret Penny’s status on Facebook, Jan 26, 2011
Jakob Nielsen - Mental Models
Users don't just confuse search fields; many less-techy users don't understand the differences between many other common features:
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.
- 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
- 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 manifests 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 begin 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
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."
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
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!”
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?
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
