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A Good Perspective on Children's/Youth Ministry

Posted on Monday 11 June 2007 at 10:36 AM in Bible - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/camillaanderson/339265/

I pretty much feel the same way. I think the bottom line is that parents should be the primary teachers in a child's life and shouldn't put all the responsibility on the schools or churches. While churches may agree with this from the pulpit, their ministries usually don't follow this...and not enough churches are equipping the parents to actually do it.  Reaching unsaved children and youth in the community is a different challenge in itself.

False Teachings

Posted on Monday 11 June 2007 at 9:10 AM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

The end of last week and over the weekend I encountered a woman joining a bunch of email groups I'm on for the purpose of discussing and spreading false teachings. While it was nice to see Christian's rise up against it, it was also eye opening to see others who chose to be accepting and accomodating. It's clear we are in the last days as all sorts of false teachings are being spread and accepted like wildfire. Sadly when people follow the teachings of man too closely, and they study the Bible in bits and pieces (or not at all), scripture can be pulled out and twisted to support many false teachings.

As Christians we must study the Bible as a whole from Genesis to Revelation, and be like the Berean's testing what is said and taught against God's Word.

Acts 17:10-11
Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

The best way is to study the Bible as a whole: book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Let the Bible speak for itself instead of letting someone tell you what it says. Bible studies, commentaries and other teachings have their place, but don't let them smother what God's Word says.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I recently found this statistic: Author Gary M. Burge pointed out that one-third of incoming freshmen at a religiously based college "could not identify Matthew as an apostle from a list of New Testament names" ("The Greatest Story Never Read," Christianity Today, August 9, 1999, p. 45). If we don't know the Word, we are unarmed. We must be in the Word daily...or we run the risk of being deceived ourselves. Please take care to know the Word well, especially now.

2 Timothy 2:14-19
Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Pastors, Degrees & Mega Churches

Posted on Thursday 7 June 2007 at 9:22 AM in Bible - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Ya know, since I've been a Christian I've been annoyed with the fact that pastors MUST go to college to become one.  It just seems wrong to me.  I've always felt that the roll of a pastor was not just to shepherd the flock, but to help raise up other leaders.  If someone is called by God to be a pastor, they should study and apprentice under another pastor.  Isn't it better to learn by doing than by sitting at a desk studying how to manage a church?  I might be wrong, but isn't that what Paul did?  Well, Steve Camp posted a very thought provoking post along those lines:  http://stevenjcamp.blogspot.com/  He spells it out much better than I can. 

Another thing that annoys me is this "mega church" syndrome.  The thought that if you don't have a gazillion members in your chuch, something is wrong.  To me it would make more sense that if the church was starting to bust at the seams, and the pastor is helping to raise up leaders...that at some point they would plant a new church.   The local church is supposed to be a strong member in the community.  When the church starts to see more and more members from outside that community...wouldn't it make sense to start thinking about planting a new church in their community?  Why do churches have to grow so big that they have to meet in a stadium type building?  How can a church be a close community if their all going to a handful of different church services?  How can they be a close community with thousands of people?  Am I making sense? 

Illiterate Christians

Posted on Monday 4 June 2007 at 10:04 AM in Bible - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I heard this term again over the weekend so I thought I would repost my thoughts on this from last year.

Colossians 3:16 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

I heard the term "illiterate Christians" on the radio the other day and it really hit home with me.  They were using the term in reference to American Christians being pretty illiterate in their knowledge of the Bible.  They were saying with our vast selection of Christian books, Christian TV networks, Christian music and Christian merchandise that we aren't spending enough time really reading and studying the Bible itself.  For example, buying books on Christian living instead of going to straight to the Bible to study what it says.  Instead of referencing God Himself, we reference what "Pastor So-And-So" says in his best selling book or "Dr. So-And-So" says on his radio show.  Because the many Christians aren't well enough rooted in the Bible that they simply put all their trust in what their pastors, or in what popular book authors are teaching and cannot (or aren't willing to) discern good or poor teaching. Would Jesus send His $100 seed money to the pastor on TV?   Would Jesus buy any of the books on the Christian best seller list? I heard someone else say that if we are Biblically illiterate Christians, we are then in fact going out into the world only half dressed (referring to the armor of God). I personally need to try to spend more time reading and studying the Bible and less time at the Christian book stores looking for books to read on how to be a better wife/mom/witness/Christian.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Social Studies For Kids

Posted on Tuesday 29 May 2007 at 1:24 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

While exploring the Homeschool Radio Shows website I came across a link to the Social Studies for Kids website. I haven't explored much of it, but it looks to be a something I can use.

Here is the link:
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/

What are you reading today?

Posted on Monday 7 May 2007 at 4:33 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Fiction?  Personal growth?  A biography?  Magazines?  Blogs?   Books about the Bible and Biblical living?

Compare that to how much time you've spent reading the Bible itself.  How do you fare?

I don't always fare well...but I'm working on it. 

Psalm 119:10-11
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:105 
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

Have you read God's Word today?

Posted on Friday 27 April 2007 at 2:50 PM in Bible - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Luke 4:4
But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd a light to my path.

Have you read God's Word today?

Posted on Tuesday 10 April 2007 at 2:16 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Luke 4:4
But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’"

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feetAnd a light to my path.

2 Corinthians 5:21

Posted on Friday 6 April 2007 at 3:05 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

I am crucified with Christ

Posted on Wednesday 4 April 2007 at 9:15 AM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

...nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

I Am Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Posted on Tuesday 6 March 2007 at 3:24 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Psalm 139:13-16 


 13 For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb.
 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
 15 My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them.

Psalm 25

Posted on Sunday 1 October 2006 at 7:55 AM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Psalm 25
A Psalm of David.

1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
3 Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.
4 Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
8 Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
9 The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man that fears the LORD?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
18 Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
19 Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
20 Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!

Psalm 95:1-7a

Posted on Thursday 31 August 2006 at 8:31 AM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Psalm 95:1-7a

 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
       let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
       and extol him with music and song.
 3 For the LORD is the great God,
       the great King above all gods.
 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
       and the mountain peaks belong to him.
 5 The sea is his, for he made it,
       and his hands formed the dry land.
 6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
       let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
 7 for he is our God
       and we are the people of his pasture,
       the flock under his care.

Women's Ministry and Women In Ministry

Posted on Friday 28 July 2006 at 10:25 AM in Bible - 2 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Well, this has been on my mind for a while, and probablly won't be very popular...or maybe it will!    It's kinda long, so you might want to enjoy a lovely cuppa tea while you read.

My old church back in Michigan had what I thought was a great women's ministry.  There were all sorts of Bible studies and activities, get-to-gethers, nights out and retreats.  I find that the church hubby and I are attending now has much the same thing.

These really are some great times, but one thing I've noticed in all the churches I've been to is that the Biblical key to women's ministry is overlooked or completely missing:

Titus 2:3-5
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

I do believe all us moms need a break now and again.  All us moms need to be in the Word.  But our priority as wives and moms is to be ministering to our families.  Our hearts should be at home.  Shouldn't a women's ministry be encouraging, training and guiding us in that?   The Bible clearly says that they (the older, Titus 2 women) are to teach...or mentor...the younger women.  I believe they should be teaching us from the role of the Proverbs 31 women.  I don't know many women's ministries that do that.

And it's not just the woman's ministry that seems to be off, but the churches themselves.  Instead of encouraging women focus on their primary ministry at home and raising up the older women to training them in doing so, the church encourages them to step out and serve in other church ministries.  Get involved!  You will find in many churches lots of women with younger children taking on church ministry and leadership responsibilities (such as women and children's ministry) and I believe it takes away from their Biblical priorities at home.  I've been there and done that.  When Boo was still an infant I was working in the church office, I was doing administrative work for the nursery ministry and the women's ministry, running the church pantry and being part of the church worship team.  And I was encouraged to do more for the church.  Looking back now, while I felt that I was "working for the Lord" I believe that I was outside of God's will.  There were no older women coming along side of me and admonishing me to love my husband, to love my son, to be discreet, chaste, a homemaker, good, obedient to my own husband, "that the word of God may not be blasphemed."   All I was encouraged to do was "Serve!  Put your kid in the nursery, get a baby sitter and serve!  If this church is going to be a success, you need to serve!"   Is that really how God has called us to serve?  I believe he does call women to serve in the church, but I also believe that there is a time and season for everything.

I don't know about the other women in my church, but I sure could use Titus 2 women in my life.  I've never had anyone to encourage me that way.  I bet the other women in my church as well as other churches would say the same thing.   We would love to be blessed by their wisdom and experience, and their encouragement.  I feel that this is a vital ministry that most of our churches are missing the boat on.

While I'm not exactly a Titus 2 women yet, let me encourage you to join the best women's ministry:  encouraging women's hearts toward their main ministry at home.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - Psalm 122

Posted on Friday 28 July 2006 at 9:10 AM in Bible - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Psalm 122

 1 I was glad when they said to me,
         “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
 2 Our feet have been standing
         Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
         
 3 Jerusalem is built
         As a city that is compact together,
 4 Where the tribes go up,
         The tribes of the LORD,
         To the Testimony of Israel,
         To give thanks to the name of the LORD.
 5 For thrones are set there for judgment,
         The thrones of the house of David.
         
 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
         “May they prosper who love you.
 7 Peace be within your walls,
         Prosperity within your palaces.”
 8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,
         I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God
         I will seek your good.

Just for me...Psalm 46

Posted on Thursday 29 June 2006 at 4:52 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

I really needed to read this today. 


Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Psalm 37:1-8

Posted on Tuesday 27 June 2006 at 4:53 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Psalm 37:1-8

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
         Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
 2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
         And wither as the green herb.          
 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
         Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
         And He shall give you the desires of your heart.          
 5 Commit your way to the LORD,
         Trust also in Him,
         And He shall bring it to pass.
 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
         And your justice as the noonday.          
 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
         Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
         Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
         Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Studying Genesis

Posted on Wednesday 10 May 2006 at 4:40 AM in Bible - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Ok, I've been wanting to study Revelation for quite a while now. But I never got around to it. I always ended up studying other books in the Bible instead. But I've been hearing over and over lately in various sermons that if you really want a good understanding of the book of Revelation, then you have to have a good understanding of the Old Testiment. So here I am starting from the beginning, the very beginning.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

It makes sense. The Apostles didn't have the New Testiment. But as Jews they would have had a good understanding of the Old Testiment. I decided that I just can't go through it on my own so I have been listening to a couple verse by verse Bible teachers online. The first is one of my old favs J. Vernon McGee from Thru The Bible (http://www.thruthebible.org). It's nice because Thru The Bible just started again in Genesis. How cool is that? The second is my new fav Searchlight with Jon Courson (http://www.joncourson.com). His teaching is really in depth and thought provoking.

I have a l-o-n-g way to go since I'm only on chapter 16 of Genesis, but what a fruitful study this is already.


Luke 24:25-27
Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Lord, Forgive Us

Posted on Friday 14 April 2006 at 12:07 PM in Bible - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

John 19:15-30
But they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?" The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar!" Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. Then they took Jesus and led Him away.
And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, "I am the King of the Jews."’" Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be," that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:
" They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots."
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down!

Posted on Tuesday 7 March 2006 at 7:38 AM in Bible - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

This past Sunday our pastor had a powerful sermon on repentance.   This is meant to tie into Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of lent.  Together with sackcloth, ashes in the Bible are a sign of mourning, or a sign of deep repentance and humility.  These are some notes from our pastors sermon:

Repentance is described as "coming to our senses"
To repent literally means to change the way we think...to change our direction...to turn around and go the other way.  The process involved renouncing sin and forsaking our wicked way, and turning to God.

2 Timothy 2:25, 27
People need to be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Repentance is more than a feeling
Some people feel sad because they got caught.  Often unpleasant consequences bring sadness.  Simply feeling sad does not prove that one is repentant.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10
I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance...Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but worldly sorrow brings death.

The evidence of a Godly sorrow (true repentance)
True repentance means feeling bad because we have sinned against God.  It means sincerely regretting the fact that what we did was morally wrong.  It involves a change of heart and a change of behavior.  John the Baptist warned people to "produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8), 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways"

Dare to examine yourself
Using reckless words (Proverbs 12:18)
Grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14)
Falsehood (2 Corinthians 4:2)
Gossip (Proverbs 16:28)
Slander (Titus 2:3)
Worthless talk (Ephesians 4:29)
Controling others (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Breaking our word (Matthew 5:33-37)
Failing to respect authority (Romans 13:1-7)
Serving sinful desires (James 3:14)

The seven A's of confession
Adress everyone involved.
Avoid IF, BUT and MAYBE
Admit specifically
Achnowledge the hurt
Accept the consequences
Alter your behavior (change)
Ask for forgiveness

We can change!
God is eager to help us grow and change.

Philippians 1:6
Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is making them a new creation:  The old patterns have gone and the new is here!