By Marvin Ferguson
I thank God for the gift to write and be a published author. It's an exhilarating experience that I will never forget.
It would have been great if I were lucky enough to be a professional league baseball player, but it wasn't meant to be. Instead, my passions went into a different direction, and as a die hard Cub fan, I put the play-by-play action on the playing field and wrote three baseball stories for Junior High students to enjoy.
Like anything else worth achieving, it requires hard work. And little did I realize it then that my childhood would prepare me to write. Yes, God provides.
At twelve years of age I purchased some plastic baseball players off a cereal box. Like the Little Rascals I made a ball park out of scrap wood I found in the back of a grocery store and some green and some gray construction paper, barrowed a spinner from another game, kept score, and played baseball to my heart's content.
With a compass I drew a baseball diamond and made some dugouts up against a four-inch wall. The shape of each player intrigued me and I was able to be anybody I wanted to be—Ernie Banks, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Lou Brock, Stan Musial, and more. I gave the teams a name, created my own lineup, and even became a broadcaster in the TV booth. There wasn't anything I couldn't do, it was fun, and fueled my imagination to write latter in my adult life.
If we allow God to work in our lives, He will prepare a way. Amen! Thank you God for giving me an interest in baseball and a desire to write.
Showing posts with label Christian life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian life. Show all posts
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Talk is Not Cheap
By Marie Tschopp
“It is not for Kings, O Lemuel. It is not for Kings…” Proverbs 31:4 NIV
Paula Deen has an amazing story. As a divorced mother of two young boys, she started a lunchtime catering business to office workers. Because she was afraid to leave her house due to agoraphobia, her sons delivered the lunches via their bicycles. As business grew, so did Paula’s confidence. She eventually opened a restaurant and self published a cookbook. One stormy Georgia afternoon, a TV producer ducked into Paula’s restaurant to get in out of the rain. He sampled the food and bought a cookbook. And, as the cliché goes, a star was born.
Paula now hosts her own show on the Food Network. She publishes her own magazine. She sells her own line of cookware and dishes. In short, Paula Deen is an empire.
But recently, the Food Network announced it will not be renewing Ms. Deen’s contract. A former employee filed a lawsuit accusing her of racism and Paula admitted in court to using racial slurs and telling racist jokes.
Fair or not, a different standard is set for those in leadership, for the risk of loss is so much greater. Now, staff from her show, the magazine, the products, and the restaurant are at risk.
For with great privilege comes great responsibility. As Christians, we, too, are held to higher standard. We are the only Gospel some people will ever read. Our actions matter. We cannot afford to be a stumbling block that prevents someone from seeking His Kingdom.
The stakes are too high.
Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom in the way I conduct my life. May my words bring glory to You, and may my actions not cause You embarrassment in any way. When people see me, may my life reflect You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“It is not for Kings, O Lemuel. It is not for Kings…” Proverbs 31:4 NIV
Paula Deen has an amazing story. As a divorced mother of two young boys, she started a lunchtime catering business to office workers. Because she was afraid to leave her house due to agoraphobia, her sons delivered the lunches via their bicycles. As business grew, so did Paula’s confidence. She eventually opened a restaurant and self published a cookbook. One stormy Georgia afternoon, a TV producer ducked into Paula’s restaurant to get in out of the rain. He sampled the food and bought a cookbook. And, as the cliché goes, a star was born.
Paula now hosts her own show on the Food Network. She publishes her own magazine. She sells her own line of cookware and dishes. In short, Paula Deen is an empire.
But recently, the Food Network announced it will not be renewing Ms. Deen’s contract. A former employee filed a lawsuit accusing her of racism and Paula admitted in court to using racial slurs and telling racist jokes.
Fair or not, a different standard is set for those in leadership, for the risk of loss is so much greater. Now, staff from her show, the magazine, the products, and the restaurant are at risk.
For with great privilege comes great responsibility. As Christians, we, too, are held to higher standard. We are the only Gospel some people will ever read. Our actions matter. We cannot afford to be a stumbling block that prevents someone from seeking His Kingdom.
The stakes are too high.
Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom in the way I conduct my life. May my words bring glory to You, and may my actions not cause You embarrassment in any way. When people see me, may my life reflect You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Forming Great Teams
by Michael Elmore
Many people who read this blog are interested in writing. I know I am. Writing takes talent, practice, learning and encouragement. Perhaps you are not an accomplished author yet. But God has this in mind for you because he has put the desire in your heart. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Recognize that the dream to become an author is not just your aspiration but it is a desire that God has purposely placed within you to glorify His name and fulfill your destiny.
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Regardless of the genre you are interested in, God can use your gift to touch countless lives. I don’t know if you realize this or not but the Bible includes a variety of writing genres. For example, you may not be aware of this but about 60% of Scripture is written as poetry. Poetry touches the inner life like few genres can. God also used prose, history, accounting and record keeping, prophecy and storytelling to communicate to humanity. So be encouraged, regardless of the genre you are interested in God can use you!
The question remains for most of us, “How can I hone my skills, connect with literary agents, market a product and sell it successfully?” That’s where learning how to form a great team comes in. Zechariah 4:10 states, ”Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” You probably know someone who has an interest in writing like yourself. You may belong to a writers association, perhaps you’ve attended a conference or workshop or two. Great! That’s how you begin to form a team.
When forming a team pray for divine connections. If you are serious about writing God will put you in touch with just the people you need to serve on your team. One way to help you form a team is to remember that serving others is an excellent way to form a team. Volunteer to help an experienced author. Learn from them, let them mentor you, assist them with their projects and you will be surprised at how rapidly a network of possible team members will soon cross your path. This is called the Law of Association. If we want to be successful then we need to spend time with people that we want to be like. Jesus said, “I came to serve not to be served.”( Mk. 10:45) If serving was good enough for Jesus, then it should be good enough for us.
Finally, be selective who you allow to be part of your team. Look for quality not for quantity. Learn from the best people you are able to connect with. One way to do this is to build networks through conferences, workshops, and seminars. These types of places are chock-full of published authors, promoters, marketing people and literary agents. But when you network with other people I use one word of guidance: listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit and let His Voice guide you to the right people. Be aware of the agendas that others may have. What are their motives, character, lifestyle and spiritual life? Do they honor God through their work? I have found a good rule of thumb for hearing from God is stopping long enough to hear the Shepherds Voice. Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Welcome to the concept of forming a writing team. I believe as you work in this direction and in the way God leads you, you will find good success! (Joshua 1:8).
Many people who read this blog are interested in writing. I know I am. Writing takes talent, practice, learning and encouragement. Perhaps you are not an accomplished author yet. But God has this in mind for you because he has put the desire in your heart. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Recognize that the dream to become an author is not just your aspiration but it is a desire that God has purposely placed within you to glorify His name and fulfill your destiny.
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Regardless of the genre you are interested in, God can use your gift to touch countless lives. I don’t know if you realize this or not but the Bible includes a variety of writing genres. For example, you may not be aware of this but about 60% of Scripture is written as poetry. Poetry touches the inner life like few genres can. God also used prose, history, accounting and record keeping, prophecy and storytelling to communicate to humanity. So be encouraged, regardless of the genre you are interested in God can use you!The question remains for most of us, “How can I hone my skills, connect with literary agents, market a product and sell it successfully?” That’s where learning how to form a great team comes in. Zechariah 4:10 states, ”Do not despise the day of small beginnings.” You probably know someone who has an interest in writing like yourself. You may belong to a writers association, perhaps you’ve attended a conference or workshop or two. Great! That’s how you begin to form a team.
When forming a team pray for divine connections. If you are serious about writing God will put you in touch with just the people you need to serve on your team. One way to help you form a team is to remember that serving others is an excellent way to form a team. Volunteer to help an experienced author. Learn from them, let them mentor you, assist them with their projects and you will be surprised at how rapidly a network of possible team members will soon cross your path. This is called the Law of Association. If we want to be successful then we need to spend time with people that we want to be like. Jesus said, “I came to serve not to be served.”( Mk. 10:45) If serving was good enough for Jesus, then it should be good enough for us.
Finally, be selective who you allow to be part of your team. Look for quality not for quantity. Learn from the best people you are able to connect with. One way to do this is to build networks through conferences, workshops, and seminars. These types of places are chock-full of published authors, promoters, marketing people and literary agents. But when you network with other people I use one word of guidance: listen to the Voice of the Holy Spirit and let His Voice guide you to the right people. Be aware of the agendas that others may have. What are their motives, character, lifestyle and spiritual life? Do they honor God through their work? I have found a good rule of thumb for hearing from God is stopping long enough to hear the Shepherds Voice. Jesus said in John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Welcome to the concept of forming a writing team. I believe as you work in this direction and in the way God leads you, you will find good success! (Joshua 1:8).
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
A Grateful Pair Of Eyes
by Marvin Ferguson
Among all the components of the human body I think the eyes are most intriguing. And without them where would we be?
The coach always said to the hitter to keep his eye on the ball. Don't worry about the color of his eyes or hair. And so he grimaced staring at a ball hidden behind the pitcher's knee. Then, suddenly, like a bolt of lightening from out of nowhere it crossed the plate.
Traveling on the infield grass, a pair of eyes watched the ball as the shortstop scooped it up into his glove. Another pair of eyes watched while diving for a ball that escaped into left field.
In the movie "Trouble With The Curve" Clint Eastwood, hitting coach, started having problems with his vision. When baseball fans and players watched in awe at a called strike, even Clint Eastwood insisted that it was a strike. Yet his attorney daughter was amazed at how he could see it. His reply, "I heard it." And the viewers laughed.
Sitting in the waiting room I pondered the thought about my wife's cataract surgery recently. My mind was racing. How fortunate we are for God to give us the gift of sight.
But God always provides. The late Ray Charles, blind from his childhood, was a gifted piano player and singer. Ronnie Milsap, blind from birth, became a popular country singer.
On another note the Bible says to live more by faith and less by sight. From a different perspective our walk with God depends more on trust and faith than what we see or intellectualize.
And so I live with a grateful heart for the gift to see, and even more so that our faith doesn't depend on our sight.
Among all the components of the human body I think the eyes are most intriguing. And without them where would we be?
The coach always said to the hitter to keep his eye on the ball. Don't worry about the color of his eyes or hair. And so he grimaced staring at a ball hidden behind the pitcher's knee. Then, suddenly, like a bolt of lightening from out of nowhere it crossed the plate.
Traveling on the infield grass, a pair of eyes watched the ball as the shortstop scooped it up into his glove. Another pair of eyes watched while diving for a ball that escaped into left field.
In the movie "Trouble With The Curve" Clint Eastwood, hitting coach, started having problems with his vision. When baseball fans and players watched in awe at a called strike, even Clint Eastwood insisted that it was a strike. Yet his attorney daughter was amazed at how he could see it. His reply, "I heard it." And the viewers laughed.
Sitting in the waiting room I pondered the thought about my wife's cataract surgery recently. My mind was racing. How fortunate we are for God to give us the gift of sight.
But God always provides. The late Ray Charles, blind from his childhood, was a gifted piano player and singer. Ronnie Milsap, blind from birth, became a popular country singer.
On another note the Bible says to live more by faith and less by sight. From a different perspective our walk with God depends more on trust and faith than what we see or intellectualize.
And so I live with a grateful heart for the gift to see, and even more so that our faith doesn't depend on our sight.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
CAN YOU HEAR HIM, NOW?
By Marie Tschopp
My friend, Paula, tweeted several funny sentences under “stuff moms never say.” Things like,
“Yes, you may use your birthday money to buy a tattoo.”
“I’ll do your homework while you hang out with your friends.”
“Here, have another Mountain Dew.”
I laughed because I knew moms never say such things.
Then it struck me that there are things God never says, either. He never utters,
“I sent my Son to die for everybody—but you.”
“That sin you haven’t forgiven yourself for—I haven't forgiven you either.”
“I bless her more, because I love her more.”
“End it all. No one cares”
God’s voice never says such things. Instead, these mutterings are from “the thief (who) comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NIV).
God’s tone is gentle and kind, never sarcastic—“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29 NIV)
His words might convict, but they never condemn—“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17 NIV)
He speaks hope, not despair-“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Whose voice are you hearing?
My friend, Paula, tweeted several funny sentences under “stuff moms never say.” Things like,
“Yes, you may use your birthday money to buy a tattoo.”
“I’ll do your homework while you hang out with your friends.”
“Here, have another Mountain Dew.”
I laughed because I knew moms never say such things.
Then it struck me that there are things God never says, either. He never utters,
“I sent my Son to die for everybody—but you.”
“That sin you haven’t forgiven yourself for—I haven't forgiven you either.”
“I bless her more, because I love her more.”
“End it all. No one cares”
God’s voice never says such things. Instead, these mutterings are from “the thief (who) comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 NIV).
God’s tone is gentle and kind, never sarcastic—“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:29 NIV)
His words might convict, but they never condemn—“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17 NIV)
He speaks hope, not despair-“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Whose voice are you hearing?
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
UNLIMITED...ZUMBA?
By Sharon Wilhite
The other day I saw a sign that advertised "Unlimited Zumba, only $32 per month!" My first thought was, "Wow! How much zumba could one do in a month, and would it be worth $32?" My second thought was, "Just think of the many 'unlimited' benefits God promises His children - benefits worth more than any amount of money could buy. Here would be God's advertisement: "UNLIMITED BENEFITS! FREE UPON JOINING!" (read your Bible or go to your local church for details)
FREE membership! (Rom.5:18 - "...even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men...")
FREE benefits:
Unlimited Mercy (Psalm 23:6 - "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...")
Unlimited Grace (Romans 3:24 - "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.")
Unlimited Forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7 - "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.")
Unlimited Love (Romans 8:35-39 - "...neither death, nor life...nor height, nor depth...shall be able to separate us from the love of God...")
Unlimited Joy (John 15:11 - "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.")
Unlimited Peace (John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you...:)
Unlimited Blessings (Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.")
Unlimited Life (John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.")
Remember, membership is FREE upon joining. It costs you nothing - it cost Jesus EVERYTHING! (Hebrews 12:2)
The other day I saw a sign that advertised "Unlimited Zumba, only $32 per month!" My first thought was, "Wow! How much zumba could one do in a month, and would it be worth $32?" My second thought was, "Just think of the many 'unlimited' benefits God promises His children - benefits worth more than any amount of money could buy. Here would be God's advertisement: "UNLIMITED BENEFITS! FREE UPON JOINING!" (read your Bible or go to your local church for details)
FREE membership! (Rom.5:18 - "...even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men...")
FREE benefits:
Unlimited Mercy (Psalm 23:6 - "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...")
Unlimited Grace (Romans 3:24 - "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.")
Unlimited Forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7 - "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.")
Unlimited Love (Romans 8:35-39 - "...neither death, nor life...nor height, nor depth...shall be able to separate us from the love of God...")
Unlimited Joy (John 15:11 - "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full.")
Unlimited Peace (John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you...:)
Unlimited Blessings (Proverbs 10:22 - "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it.")
Unlimited Life (John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.")
Remember, membership is FREE upon joining. It costs you nothing - it cost Jesus EVERYTHING! (Hebrews 12:2)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
GOING RAW
By Sharon Wilhite
I'm going on an all raw diet. No cooked to mush veggies, no fruit cocktail and cobblers, no gravy smothered meat, and no calorie laden snacks and drinks with zero nutritional value. Yes, I'm going raw - to reacquaint my taste buds with the flavor of real, unadorned fruits, vegetables, and water.
I'm going on an all raw diet. No cooked to mush veggies, no fruit cocktail and cobblers, no gravy smothered meat, and no calorie laden snacks and drinks with zero nutritional value. Yes, I'm going raw - to reacquaint my taste buds with the flavor of real, unadorned fruits, vegetables, and water.
Actually, although that sounds very healthy, my self-imposed diet isn't food based at all but literary based. No mushy romance novels, no fruity fad books, no Christian truths smothered under suspense and no books with zero spiritual or practical value.
My mind is fat and lazy; I find myself jittery, unable to concentrate, craving instant gratification of the flesh -withdrawal symptoms for sure! I'm going raw, and the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is so weak.
("For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6)
Monday, March 5, 2012
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THIS SUMMER?
By Narola Grady
Several years ago, I had a camping experience that
changed my life. It was sponsored by a
group called CFO, which stands for Camps Farthest Out. It is a nondenominational organization where
people go deeper in their walk with the Lord…literally, farther out than they
have been before. This blog gives you a
taste of what it’s all about.
The other day I thought about my first CFO camp
experience. Friends invited me for three
years, but I always said no. It was 1999
and money was tight in Davenport. I was
trying to hang onto my ‘togetherness’ when it was falling apart. A vacation sounded wonderful, even if it
meant visiting Cedar Falls, Iowa. That’s
how I said yes to CFO. Thank God for
scholarships!
All hell broke loose the week before. The transmission went on the car. A friend tried to commit suicide, so I spent
time in the hospital with her. Someone
loaned me a car so my son, Sean, and I could go. Forget the Martha Stewart approach. I threw clothes in a suitcase, grabbed the
sleeping bags, and we hit the road!
My picture of Christianity focused on Bible knowledge and
faithfulness in duty. It was important
to know the right answers for any situation.
Doing instead of being.
CFO didn’t fit that mold.
My mind worked overtime trying to figure this place out. In the midst of that struggle, people were
accepting not only me, but each other.
My spirit was soaking in the love, but my brain wanted to nail down
every jot and tittle. Intrigued, I kept
coming back.
Every time I found the same mix of ingredients: All kinds of people, an emphasis on prayer
and kingdom living, and unconditional love from Spirit led folks. And every time I went, I found myself
changing.
For several years, I struggled to explain this
experience. Finally God gave me the
right words in a letter to my brother.
“People from all different backgrounds come to CFO, but that’s not
really important. What is
important is being the Body of Christ together.
I had to drop my title as Bible expert and realize it’s not my job to
change everyone. Instead, we all focus
on Jesus and let the Holy Spirit be our teacher. For me, it’s like stepping into Jesus’ world
instead of trying to squeeze Him into a small corner of my existence. I learn to actively practice His presence all
day long.
As we focus on the Holy Spirit, the place comes alive! In prayer groups, we adore the Lord in His
beauty. We are the Body that washes His
feet with our praise and admiration for who He is. When needs come up, we find the basis of our
unity is a love He has poured into us.
We in turn pour that over the person in need.”
Are we perfect? No,
not by any means. Sometimes the needs
are great, but as we humble ourselves before God, He fills us with healing
love. We learn with others through a
practical show-and-tell way what it’s like to be children in the Kingdom. You get simple. You drop pretenses. You laugh a lot. We share intensely what God is doing in our
lives. There is no TV or radio to break
the rhythm, so we can focus on ‘Emmanuel’ – God with us – and practice what is
to be the daily tenor of our lives.
CFO is a recipe for healthy Body Life in God’s Kingdom. At a Winter Retreat, I wrote: “I feel at home
in Your Body, Lord. I haven’t always
felt at ease in my physical body, but that’s changing. Now I marvel as I watch each person ‘be’ who
You made them to be in Your presence.
It’s so rich. Thank You that in
CFO, there
really is no place like home.
(For more information
about Iowa CFO, contact me and I’ll send you a brochure. My phone number is 563-381-3980. You can also go to www.acfona.org for a list of 2012
camps and retreats in the U.S.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
TIME TO RENOVATE
By Marie Tschopp
(welcome back, Marie)
Author’s Note: When
God begins a restoration project, he does not use a wrecking ball.
(welcome back, Marie)
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17 NIV).
The wood siding needs to be scraped and repainted. Many shingles on the roof are gone, and the
front porch sags. Still, I wish the turn-of-the-century
house I see every day on my way to work was mine. More than its imperfections, I notice its
character. Bric-a-brac trim,
leaded-glass windows, alcoves, and a large gabled roof adorn the old place. I long to restore the property
to its original glory.
When God looks at people, I think he feels the way I feel
about this house. He knows our
imperfections, but, in the midst of our brokenness, he sees a child made in his
image.
God never places a “This Property is Condemned” sign on
anyone. Instead, he offers restoration
and renovation. He’s already purchased
us by paying the ultimate price of his son.
He simply waits to be given the key.
Thank
you, Father, for not seeing me as the world sees me, but for seeing me as the
showplace you created me to be. May I
never lose sight of your great love and sacrifice for me.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
What's New???
By Marvin Ferguson
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
A Time for Second Chances
By Michael Elmore
Author, Max Lucado shares a great piece of insight in his monthly newsletter that all of us need to take to heart. In case you haven’t read it on Crosswalk.com let me share it with you:
"It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I’d read that passage a hundred times. But I’d never seen it.
But I won’t miss it again. It’s highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16. Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse (here it comes). The verse reads like this: 'But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you toGalilee .'
Did you see it? Read it again. (This time I italicized the words.)
'But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you toGalilee .'
Now tell me if that’s not a hidden treasure.
If I might paraphrase the words, 'Don’t stay here, go tell the disciples,' a pause, then a smile, 'and especially tell Peter, that he is going before you toGalilee .'
What a line. It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall—and it’s as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. 'Be sure and tell Peter that he’s not left out. Tell him that one failure doesn’t make a flop.'
Whew!
No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance.
Those who know these types of things say that the Gospel of Mark is really the transcribed notes and dictated thoughts of Peter. If this is true, then it was Peter himself who included these two words! And if these really are his words, I can’t help but imagine that the old fisherman had to brush away a tear and swallow a lump when he got to this point in the story.
It’s not every day that you get a second chance. Peter must have known that. The next time he saw Jesus, he got so excited that he barely got his britches on before he jumped into the cold water of theSea of
Galilee . It was also enough, so they say, to cause this backwoods
Galilean to carry the gospel of the second chance all the way to Rome
It’s not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance—much less someone who will give you a second chance every day.
Author, Max Lucado shares a great piece of insight in his monthly newsletter that all of us need to take to heart. In case you haven’t read it on Crosswalk.com let me share it with you:
"It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know I’d read that passage a hundred times. But I’d never seen it.
But I won’t miss it again. It’s highlighted in yellow and underlined in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16. Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse (here it comes). The verse reads like this: 'But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to
Did you see it? Read it again. (This time I italicized the words.)
'But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to
Now tell me if that’s not a hidden treasure.
If I might paraphrase the words, 'Don’t stay here, go tell the disciples,' a pause, then a smile, 'and especially tell Peter, that he is going before you to
What a line. It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall—and it’s as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. 'Be sure and tell Peter that he’s not left out. Tell him that one failure doesn’t make a flop.'
Whew!
No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance.
Those who know these types of things say that the Gospel of Mark is really the transcribed notes and dictated thoughts of Peter. If this is true, then it was Peter himself who included these two words! And if these really are his words, I can’t help but imagine that the old fisherman had to brush away a tear and swallow a lump when he got to this point in the story.
It’s not every day that you get a second chance. Peter must have known that. The next time he saw Jesus, he got so excited that he barely got his britches on before he jumped into the cold water of the
It’s not every day that you find someone who will give you a second chance—much less someone who will give you a second chance every day.
But in Jesus, Peter found both."
I love Max Lucado’s explanation of Mark 16 its excellent.
“The God of the second chance”. God knows that we all need one. Peter is a
prime example. So are others. I think of John Mark in Acts. After he left Paul
as they travelled together, Paul refused to travel with him so violently that
he and Barnabas split up. Later, Paul gives John Mark a second chance to join
with him in his travels and ministry Its interesting to note that John Mark, a
"second chance guy," was the one who Peter dictated the Gospel of Mark to. I
think John Mark understood Peter’s experience.
“Second chances” are something God does in our lives all the
time. The Bible is full of “second chance stories and we need them. Perhaps
this New Year’s time you have found your relationship with Jesus to be a little
out of sync . . . maybe more out of sync then you’d like to admit. Remember
Peter wasn’t unique. If you find yourself needing a second chance this New
Year’s season, open up your heart and receive the Christ afresh. Jesus tells us
that “he stands at the door of our hearts knocking” (Rev. 3:20). Open the door
let him in and the joy of second chances can be yours.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
True Confessions of a Pastor's Wife
By Gail P. Smith
I should know. For
years I figured since I was so busy doing things for God,
teaching Sunday School, working in the nursery, singing in the choir being a
pastor’s wife, for Pete’s sake, that I assumed didn’t really need to spend a lot of time with God actually asking His opinion about what I was up to. After all, it was good stuff done for my church, family & friends. Just a quick "God bless....today," should do it, right?
It’s not that I never read the Bible or studied it. I was in BSF for over 15 years and I wrote my
own curriculum for my middle school SS students. But to take time each day, just me and Him, hearing
God’s voice by reading His word and talking to Him in prayer. Well, obviously I didn’t have time to do
that. If I did, how would I ever get all my good works for Him done.
I’m not proud of that attitude. I’d been taught better, but it took a crisis
in our lives for me to realize that though I thought I was helping God out, my works for Him, were
really nothing. Just busy work. Only
by God’s grace and mercy did He choose to overlook my self-centered failings and use it to His glory anyway. (That's how much He loves His children.)
I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not the only one who's had
problems putting the busyness of doing ahead of the quietness of seeking.
So now here we stand on the eve of the New Year, when life feels like it’s giving us a chance to begin again, I want to share things changed when I began to figure out how to daily/faithfully seek His presence. I love to help you begin a conversation with God that will never end.
My home church preacher once said, “Never fall asleep
without having read God’s word that day.”
I heard this back in the 1970s.
Then one day, I heard it with my heart heard it. "Okay, let's give it a try," I thought. I sat my Bible
by my bed and at bed time, if I hadn’t read it before then, I grabbed it and at
least read something right then. A tiny
baby step, but guess what—God allows baby steps and even holds your hand as you
take them!
Another bigger, step occurred much later. This time I was studying an Old Testament
story of King David. Seems he needed
some land on which to make sacrifices to God and made a offer to the land’s
owner, Ornan (story & scripture after post.) Ornan wanted to give the land to David. David’s answer is what God used to
really pierce my heart:
Did you ever feel you could almost hear God saying "Ahem?"
I realized that for all those years of struggling to seek God in a personal quiet time, I thought it should cost me nothing. I somehow thought the time I spent with God would be “spare time” leftover from when I had done everything I wanted/needed to do. I was offering to God only “that which cost me nothing.” No sleep loss, no newspaper not read, no TV show missed—I had to ask myself was I really unwilling to give up ANYTHING to better know and love the One who died for me? Suddenly I “got it,” and I saw the need to make a change.
The next time I woke up early and didn’t want to leave my
nice, warm bed (I live in Iowa and that can be a BIG deal,) I said to myself,
“I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing,” got up, put on a
robe and opened my Bible. And guess
what—God was there waiting for me and He wasn’t even mad about all the times
I’d missed. In fact, He was just dying
to bless me, to know me, to love me and be my friend. When I gave up trying to keep all my time, my
life for me, and give Him nothing, I found in His presence more than enough to
make up for any “loss.”
So I write you today, at this incredible time of year, with
a new beginning just around the corner, to share the offer God makes to us all. "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."(Jer. 29:13) And believe me, there is no better way to
start than by treating yourself to time with your best Friend, your Savior and
Lord, Jesus. Let this be the year you stop doing so many things for God and start becoming who God designed you to be It will be the beginning of
the best years of your life.
God promises to meet you where you are today. He's waiting for you.
Because there are lots of other things that have helped me in my quest to spend time with God each day that I’d like to share and this post is too long
already, I invite you to visit my personal blog. In the coming days I will be sharing more
things I do to make connecting with God each day exciting, fun and a true
meeting with my dearest Friend. The link
is:
http://grammygail.blogspot.com/
One Bible story that changed me:
1 Chronicles 21:22-24
I have a confession to make. It's kind of embarrassing to admit because I've been a Christian since I was 9, have been in church all my life, SS teacher, choir, the whole nine yards. But here it is: It's tough for me to set aside time to read the Bible and
pray. It’s hard enough to make that commitment once
a week or even once a month, never mind trying to do it every day. And man, can
we come up with excuses.
So now here we stand on the eve of the New Year, when life feels like it’s giving us a chance to begin again, I want to share things changed when I began to figure out how to daily/faithfully seek His presence. I love to help you begin a conversation with God that will never end.
“I will not offer to the Lord that which costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:22-24)
I realized that for all those years of struggling to seek God in a personal quiet time, I thought it should cost me nothing. I somehow thought the time I spent with God would be “spare time” leftover from when I had done everything I wanted/needed to do. I was offering to God only “that which cost me nothing.” No sleep loss, no newspaper not read, no TV show missed—I had to ask myself was I really unwilling to give up ANYTHING to better know and love the One who died for me? Suddenly I “got it,” and I saw the need to make a change.
God promises to meet you where you are today. He's waiting for you.
http://grammygail.blogspot.com/
22 Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the
place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the LORD. You
shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from
the people.”
23 But Ornan said to David, “Take it to
yourself, and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Look, I also
give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and
the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all.”
24 Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I
will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for
the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
What Does Glory Look Like?
By Rolie Grady
But why bring up the topic of death in December? It’s because I discovered that beginnings and
endings of life have a lot in common. In fact, they often overlap each other. In the case of Toots, a great granddaughter
was born two days before she died, and her death came the same day as her
youngest daughter’s wedding anniversary.
When sin’s ugliness is exposed, we long for light. When the darkness finally disappears and loneliness is erased, we realize what’s been missing. It began in a tiny package.
A month ago I took a trip to Wesley, Iowa…my hometown. It’s not a big spot in the road. The population is close to 400, down from the
600 level when I lived there forty years ago.
But size isn’t important. It’s
the people that make a place special.
Last month I shared a few stories about my friend, Toots
Youngwirth, a wonderful lady who departed for heaven on November 13th. It was an honor to attend a celebration of
her life.
The church parking lot was packed with cars sprawling in
every direction during the visitation. I
found a place in the long line of people who wanted to affirm Toot’s life. The sounds of laughter and talking were
everywhere, especially around the family members. I said to their son, Tom, “The Youngwirths
have built an empire in Wesley, and it’s a given that the king and queen should
reign forever.” This empire came from
sharing love and compassion with the whole town.
The actual service was filled with scripture about Christ’s
burial, resurrection and the promise of new life with Him. Near the end, the choir sang the song, “I
Believe” during communion. When they
came to the phrase, “every time I hear a newborn baby cry”, an infant began
(almost on cue) to wail and kept going until the end of the song. No sounds of silence there.
Afterwards I went to the dinner at Wesley’s Community
Center. So many personal touches
provided a warm welcome. The paper
placemats were a drawing of St. Joseph’s Church done by Dawn, Toot’s
daughter. A little menu attached to each
placemat read “My Funeral Dinner” – Catered by Jumbo (her nephew). Scalloped potatoes/lots of ham, Cole slaw
(with Wesley Legion dressing), Corn, Homemade Bread (made by Jumbo), Bars,
Coffee and Milk. It was so like Toots,
who cared for every detail.
There was even a drawing at the dinner! When Johnny and the family arrived from the
cemetery, they told us the wrapped boxes were crafts Toots had made, and they
wanted to give them away. The glory of
Toots, the person, was still being shared with all her friends and family.
So what is glory?
It’s the amazing essence of a person’s life. Sometimes it gets noticed while the person is
alive. Other times we stop and ponder
after it’s gone.
In the middle of a dirt-caked stable, God sent fresh
life. Jesus was filled with the glory of
the Father. Like any good mother, Mary
had to wonder about this birthing area.
Yes, it was greatly lacking in warmth and ambience, but it was the
perfect backdrop for sinners….one that anyone trapped in darkness could relate
to.
When sin’s ugliness is exposed, we long for light. When the darkness finally disappears and loneliness is erased, we realize what’s been missing. It began in a tiny package.
Every Christmas I hear a newborn baby’s cry pierce the
night. The seeds of eternal life. Light swallows up the darkness, and all is
well. That’s what glory looks like to
me.
 |
| Photo courtesy of MotionWorship.com |
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Criteria for Selecting Leaders in the Church
By Michael Elmore
There is a push today in many churches and denominations to advance leadership within the local church. 1 Timothy 3:1 commends those who have the desire and the initiative to seek leadership within the church: “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” However, a considerable number of pastors and Christian leaders select leaders in their churches without considering the biblical qualifications for choosing leaders.
2 Timothy 2:2 is a pivotal verse which depicts three qualities in selecting Christian leaders: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” The apostle Paul depicts three key characteristics that must be followed in choosing those to lead the Church of Jesus Christ. Look at the verse carefully. Note that Paul does not say that these qualities should be on the job training program, they should already be inherently part of a potential leaders Christ-like character based a certain level of Christian maturity.
First Paul states that potential leaders must be someone who can be entrusted. To be entrusted means to hold a trust of someone else’s property or well-being. As we raise individuals into leadership positions we must recognize that we are entrusting them with the greatest responsibility of all: other people’s spiritual lives and destinies.
Second, Paul states that a potential leader must be reliable. Reliability is the quality of being someone that can be counted on consistently. Consistency is a mark of Christian maturity and leaders without this quality are not fit to lead.
Third, Paul states that potential leaders must be qualified. What does Paul mean when he states that they must be qualified? Simply this: a qualified individual being considered for Christian leadership must have been mentored in Christian service. Whether this is through formal education or an in-depth mentoring process taking the time for necessary preparation for leadership is essential. Again, Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:6 that a leader should “not be a novice, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”
The Bible states that potential leaders must be able to be entrusted, be reliable and be qualified. In today’s church there are great needs to be met in the realm of leadership. However, when out of desperation we select immature or unqualified leaders in the church we are only hurting ourselves and our congregations. This type of leader almost always falls short. Often, they are a source of constant frustration for those in authority above them. And usually they end up shirking from their leadership role. Sometimes they must be involuntarily replaced. This is indeed a painful task to perform.
Christ-like character must be shaped and molded carefully. Galatians 4:19 reminds us that developing character takes times. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Christ-like character must be formed. Forming character takes time, it takes nurture and it takes patience. Leaders should not be selected too early in the process of becoming more like Jesus.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Light Is Sown for the Righteous
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11, KJV)
By Helen Knueven
By Helen Knueven
How do you sow light? Sowing represents something going into the ground – being buried in darkness; a seed. (You haven’t seen the last of it though!) It will revisit the earth in beauty. But for a time – darkness will be the companion of the seed, along with dirt. Not such a great sounding situation.
I pondered the scripture and the meaning. To me, it is a fascinating concept. I know that light cannot be overpowered – and by one strike of a match a dark room is lightened. It seems that light would be overpowered if it was sown.
And yet, God’s Word says the light is sown.
I remembered that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World –and I thought about the utter darkness of the Cross. And yet – the brilliant light that Christ gives to all who believe.
Yesterday, I received an email from a missionary friend in Cambodia. She said, ‘Please pray for us – things are not right. Our children had their house broken in – My husband fell into a pit, and my own wrist is broken. And on top of all of that, sickness has attacked.
Then I remembered the scripture. “Light is sown for the righteous.” Cambodia is a dark place where sex trafficking is done without restraint – and God has sent our friends there to bring His love into this dark corner of the world.
Our friends are sowing the light of Christ into Cambodia – perhaps you know missionaries that have went into dangerous ly dark places to spread Christ’s love.
I believe that we can pray for them and sow light into the darkness too. We can be partners with them drawing upon the light that only Christ gives; expecting to reap a harvest of light. Our efforts can seem so weak – so lacking and yet all God expects us to do is give our best. He will pick up the slack and cause seeds to grow.
How will you sow light today?
Prayer: Lord, help me to go into the darkness, declaring your goodness in the midst of a crooked generation, and shine as your light,
in Jesus name. Amen.
in Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
How Does Your Garden Grow?
By Sharon Wilhite 
I do NOT like weeding my garden (nor do my children!). However, left unchecked, weeds grow much faster than the seeds I planted and will soon take over - ruining what could be beautiful and flourishing.
While out weeding together, I tell my children that weeds are like sin in our lives; fast and easy to grow but so hard to eradicate once firmly established. If the soil is dry, some weeds are almost impossible to pull, and a sharp hoe must be used to dig them out; if the garden is moist from a good rain or hose watering, then those same weeds come out with much less effort.
Consistently watering one's life from the living water of God's Word will keep the soil of our heart soft - making it easier to weed out the bad and grow what is good and pleasing to God.
How beautiful is a well-watered, well-tended garden - lush with colorful fruits, vegetables and flowers! I love planting, photographing, and picking the fruits (or veggies) of my labor.
I do NOT like weeding my garden (nor do my children!). However, left unchecked, weeds grow much faster than the seeds I planted and will soon take over - ruining what could be beautiful and flourishing.
While out weeding together, I tell my children that weeds are like sin in our lives; fast and easy to grow but so hard to eradicate once firmly established. If the soil is dry, some weeds are almost impossible to pull, and a sharp hoe must be used to dig them out; if the garden is moist from a good rain or hose watering, then those same weeds come out with much less effort. Consistently watering one's life from the living water of God's Word will keep the soil of our heart soft - making it easier to weed out the bad and grow what is good and pleasing to God.
"But GROW in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." II Peter 3:18
Thursday, August 4, 2011
In July, I was called and selected for jury duty. The defense attorney asked us relevant questions and irrelevant ones, such as “Who’s your favorite comedian?” and “If you could live anywhere, where would you go?” The latter caught me off guard, and I tried to think of where I would move; only I couldn’t. When I recounted this to my husband, he was just as shocked as I was. Iowa has muggy summers and bitter cold winters, two things I don’t do well in. But we have a toddler, the school system here is amazing, we love our church and our friends are like family.
If I could live anywhere, I’d live right here.
By Charis Seeley
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Double Stuf
By Lori Boruff
What is the good, fluffy Stuf in life?
Slow down. Enjoy the good moments! Make them last longer.
That's the hard Stuf. We wish we could throw it away but the truth is...it's part of the whole package.
Snack time. One glass of cold milk to share. Two Double Stuf Oreos. One for my grandson and one for me. At 20 months, he knew to eat the middle first! Did someone teach him that or is it just natural to go for the good stuff first?
My attempt to teach him how to eat an Oreo slowly didn't work. He wanted the good stuff now and wanted it all--like all over his face! With a chocolate disc in each hand, he strutted to the waste basket and threw the rest of the cookie away. All done.
I think that describes me. I go for the good Stuf in life first, want it all, want it now. And when I get it, do I even slow down to enjoy it? What about the other part, the not so appealing part? Do I waste it?
l A beautiful summer day...that I'm too busy to enjoy.
l A long hug from my husband... I cut short because clothes don't fold themselves.
l A favor for a friend....that took more time than I selfishly wanted to give.
What about the rest...the hard part that just isn't as good without the cream.
l More month than money.
l Rebellious children.
l Everything breaking down...at once.
God uses the hard cookie part to make the double portion of good taste even better.
Next time I'm going to eat the outside first and really enjoy the Double Stuf. Would you like to join me?
Taste and see that the Lord is good....Psalm 34:8 NIV
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Pocketful of Change
Today's post is by our latest blog adventurer Rolie Grady. Welcome!
“Just give me fifteen minutes each week,” implored Sally, the housecleaner. “We can organize your drawers and closets in no time!” She watched Jane, her elderly client, for a response. Jane, physically fragile, was recovering from yet another accident.
My heart hurt as I listened to the story. This was not a whimsical suggestion. Sally knew Jane’s independence would disappear if she refused to simplify her lifestyle.
Several years ago, the Holy Spirit tapped me on the shoulder. “Get your house in order,” He said. I knew what He meant. My house was filled with unfinished projects relegated to a rainy day status.
“Yes, Lord,” I dutifully replied. “Just as soon as I tackle this “To Do” list.” That wasn’t good enough. He kept insisting until I finally took that first step. It began with a half hour in the basement. My goal: Clear one shelf.
“Aren’t you the ambitious one!” taunted the devil. He had a point. But I dug in…15 minutes here, a half hour there over the next two years. Clearing a path one grocery sack at a time.
Eventually, I noticed a change. Cleaning went much quicker, and my family could actually find what they needed. I was able to fill my days with LIFE instead of guilt-driven “To Do” items. Little did I know that God had a bigger plan for this lesson.
In 2006, Mike and I purchased our first house. My hands shook as I signed the papers. We walked in wonder through empty spaces that would soon be filled with our earthly possessions.
Then panic struck. Would there be enough room for everything? Suddenly my two years of training kicked into high gear. A list of more items to throw or give away came to mind. Yes, we could make this work!
Moving day came and went smoothly. After that, adrenaline kept me going until the last box was unpacked. It was time for a good cup of coffee as deep satisfaction settled over me.
I felt another gentle tap on my shoulder. “See what obedience will do, “whispered the Spirit. “There is a place for everything and everything is in it’s place.”
Yes, I sighed. Who could imagine all this beauty? God knew I couldn’t handle a complete overhaul in one sitting. It was too much to think about. But He converted those daily offerings into something magnificent….a pocketful of change at a time.
Narola (Rolie) Grady has been in the Quad Cities area since 1993. She lives in Davenport
Narola (Rolie) Grady has been in the Quad Cities area since 1993. She lives in Tuesday, July 19, 2011
God Speaks in a Variety of Ways
As evangelical Christians, we have a firm commitment to the written Word of God. That is as it should be. However, we forget that the first revelation that God gave was through that which He created. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.”
I made my usual pilgrimage to the Black Hills of South Dakota this summer. The sacred beauty of that holy place never fails to strike me afresh each time I visit. The mountain grandeur: great hoary ponderosa pine, deep fresh water lakes teeming with life, cool moonlit nights filled by a galaxy of stars ebbing, twinkling and sparkling along the Milky Way. Here in the sacredness of God’s created order His voice wafts to me through the trees astride a gentle mountain breeze. God’s voice comes quietly, yet it is strikes me like thunder. My human spirit longs to be quelled by the Spirit of Creator God.
Perhaps you do not have the luxury of making a pilgrimage this summer to a favorite place filled with this kind of majestic certitude as I often do. Yet, you can afford to embrace the sacredness of God’s creation wherever you are. You can immerse yourself in its beauty and listen with the ear of your spirit to His still and thunderous voice. Perhaps connecting with the Holy through His created revelation will provide you with a fresh avenue of communion unlike any that you have experienced before.
Bettendorf, Iowa July 2011
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