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changing?

September 24, 2007 in Leadership, Teaching with 0 Comments

“When I was young man, I wanted to change the world.  I found it difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.  When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I begin to focus on my town.  I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.  Now as an older man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.  My family and I could have made an impact on our town.  Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”

-Unknown Monk, A.D. 1100

When thinking about change, where is the focus?  Others or yourself?

Tips (Part 1)

August 22, 2007 in Convictions, Teaching with 0 Comments

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT) “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Fools are people who are indifferent to the voice and character of God.  They follow their own desires, entertain their spirit with selfish ambition, and tickle their own ears with justification and education.  Divine guidance becomes visible to those who give their attention to God and hear His voice. 

Forget the books, release the professors, and tune out your friends; wisdom starts out with God and God alone. 

Saturday Night Anxiety

July 14, 2007 in Teaching with 0 Comments

Saturday nights are just plain weird for a pastor.  It is like being on deck in a baseball game with the bases loaded.  You are expected to perform!.  You know every eye is on you and most people want you to hit it out of the park.  I say most people because there are always a few that would love to see you make mistakes and fall on your face. 

Amidst the pressure though, every pastor must understand that lives are on the line.  Whether there are 1000′s at your church or just a few, someone will be showing up hoping to hear from God through you.  This awareness most often will put a few tingles in my gut and hopefully some prayers in my heart and mind.  Many times on a Saturday night I find it hard to sleep.  I just have the anxiousness about the message and the church in general.  If I could give any staff member or church attendee advice it would be this, pray for your pastor on the weekend with the awareness that lives are on the line.  Some church attendees are deciding if they should stay married, some are deciding if they should change careers,  some are deciding if they should continue in their faith or not, and some will be deciding about their eternities.  Finally the majority will show up without a clue, just coming out of routine, pray for their awakening. 

Hopefully Saturday Night Anxiety will turn into Sunday Morning awakening. 

1 Timothy 4:16 – “Keep a close watch on yourself and your teaching.  Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.”

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