Some of you might find it interesting to know over the rest of the summer (the next 7 weeks) I will be taking a class in leadership.
Aside from the Bible, I will be reading, doing research, and writing papers based on topics found in four books (who needs to go to the beach, anyway?). They are listed below. Who knows, you just might want to pick one up and read along with me. (Insert hopeful-looking smiley face)
Filed under book review, ministry
Surely you have seen the commercials on television. They advertise different medications meant to do everything from grow hair to end hot flashes. And at the end of every commercial you hear, “Ask your doctor if ******** is right for you!”
Right for me? Ask my doctor? OK, maybe I will.
“Dr. Close (my general physician), can I ask you something? I saw an add for female hormone replacement medication. Is it right for me?”
I can’t tell you how many times I have watched a commercial and said to myself, “Where did that disease come from? Is it common? Could I be suffering from it? Will I get to wear a colored ribbon?”
Have you ever heard of Trihemamasticular Disease? I googled it – nothing came up. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an advertisement in the works. At this very moment, there is probably a pill being made which promises to alleviate the symptoms of Trihemamasticular Disease. And if there is, rest assured it will be the best thing for you.
Just be aware of the side effects…
As crazy as it may sound, there should also be a warning label inside every Bible. They should make television commercials explaining the possible side effects of following Christ.
Side effects may include:
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” – Matthew 5:11
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.” – Matthew 24:9
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:27
Is it right for you?
Filed under Christian Maturity, Humor, salvation, Witnessing, worship
Sometimes one must write something just to be doing it. That is what I am doing right now.
It has been a few days since I posted on The Recovering Legalist, but it is not because I have not been working. As a matter of fact, I struggled three days straight with posts for my other blog, Proverbial Thought. On top of that, I have been doing a lot of reading and writing in my seminary classes (yes, I am going to school in the summer). So, I have been busy.
But this blog is my baby. It feels like I have abandoned my offspring when I don’t post an article at least once a week. Is that obsessive? Maybe. On the other hand, I have children, and this baby never has a dirty diaper. No wonder I’m so attached.
And it’s MY baby! Unlike our walking, whining, room-messing progeny, this baby is the product of my labor. My wife had nothing to do with it. As a matter of fact, I had to simultaneously take pictures and video during the birth of our girls. What does my wife do with this blog? NOTHING. And it looks nothing like her, either.
There are things I want to write about. For instance, I have been wanting to address the “Mitt Romney at Liberty University” thing (I was against it for religious reasons). I want to share some thoughts about the up-coming election (and make my liberal friends angry).
However, there are some things, now that I think about it, that I will probably NEVER write about. Here are some examples:
But I’m always glad to talk about Jesus. How ’bout you?
Filed under Humor, self-worth, voting, worship
Well, technically, my degree was conferred in December, 2011. However, this was the day when everybody walked. So, what was I supposed to do? Miss the opportunity to take Mr. Monkey?
The poignant thing is that my dad went to TTU from 1972-73. He never actually graduated. He would be proud to have been here, today.
I graduated high school in 1985. I got my Associates in 1995. Even after two additional years of study which was non-accredited, I decided to go back and take 2 more years in order to get my Bachelor of Science in Bible (Pastoral Studies).
I owe a great debt to my wife, Valerie, and my girls for putting up with me.
Filed under baptist, Christian Maturity, Life Lessons, ministry, Monday Monkey, Southern Baptist, Theology
Just a few minutes ago I heard the sad, sad (so sad I almost want to weep tears of sorrow – not!) news that someone accidentally broke Alabama’s national championship trophy. Sad! So sad.
Seriously, a clumsy parent (say goodbye to that scholarship) knocked over the handmade Waterford Crystal trophy (valued at $30K) and smashed it into little, tiny pieces (now they can share). Isn’t it amazing how quickly such a hard-earned symbol of accomplishment could become fodder for the dust pan.
Thankfully, at the end of this race, the race of life, there awaits for the Christian something better than a football made of fancy glass. And what’s more, it won’t decay, be stolen (Matthew 6:19-20), or get broken by an overly-excited loved one.
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. – 1Cr 9:25 NLT
Filed under Future, General Observations, Life Lessons
Yesterday, which was Sunday, I preached a sermon entitled “Finish Well.” In honor of those men and women who peacefully risk their lives, running the race, sharing the love of God, I want to pay tribute to one who paid the highest price.
Tonight I read the following story: click here to read it. I have a wife and two young daughters, also. I can’t imagine their pain.
In memory of Joel Shrum, a 29-year-old English language teacher from Harrisburg, Pa., there will be no Monday Monkey. Please remember his family in your prayers.
He finished well.
In a sermon I preached not long ago, I made mention of the fact that you never see “First Baptist,” “Methodist,” or “Community Non-Denominational” plastered above an underground church. When all one wants to do is worship God without being imprisoned or killed, denominational distinction is one of the least of their worries.
That led me to think of other things that an underground church might not worry about:
No, I don’t think underground churches ever have time to worry about all these things. They are more concerned with fellowship, encouragement, prayer, reading God’s Word in any version they can get their hands on, and staying alive.
Evidently we are closer to God – we have more things to worry about.
Some may even worry that these Iranian Christians are dancing and using a drum to chant the names of God. For shame!
Filed under Christian Living, Christian Unity, God, legalism, Uncategorized, worship
While reading a required book for one of my seminary classes, I came across something that convicted me. It was a prayer.
“Holy One, you wrote my name in the palm of your hand before time began. You commanded the prophets to write down your will for your people. Please let me, as I write, share your love and grace and wisdom through my words.” – Deborah Core
The Seminary Student Writes is a small book, but it is full of helpful instruction and insight for writing at the seminary level. However, the above prayer, or its equivalent, should precede not only research papers and dissertations, but blog posts as well.
Every time I sit down to write I should say a prayer. Before I hit the “publish” button I should be sure my words comply with His words. For you see, words are powerful. Words are tools. Words are weapons. Words should be used with the utmost care and wisdom.
It never fails to amaze me when I see how my words reach so many place all over the world. Most of the places my blog is read I will never visit. Yet, what I write here has the potential to minister in ways I could never imagine. With so much potential to influence lives in places only God knows, how much more should I ask Him to give me the words?
Do you pray before you write?
Filed under book review, Christian Maturity, God, ministry, Witnessing
Monkey and I have been through a lot in the last couple of weeks. This video will help you understand why we did not do a video last week. Hopefully, everything will be getting back to normal.
Wait!….What’s normal? I don’t know if I like normal.
Filed under Humor, Monday Monkey
At first you may think it strange to combine the words “pooped” and “pastor,” but for many it is an every day reality. The fact is that there are more pooped pastors, ministers, elders, etc., than you can imagine. That is why I would like to introduce you to…PoopedPastors.com.
Let me be as serious as I can be – being a loner is deadly. That is why it is so important for those in church leadership to have friends they can trust. However, what most people fail to understand is that pastors have a very hard time making close friends.
There are limits to what we can share, and with whom we can share it. The burdens we carry, many times, have to be held in the strictest confidence. Besides our Savior, there are some times we literally have no one else to talk to. This can lead to feeling isolated, alone, and depressed. Some have even committed suicide.
You may think, “Well, why don’t pastors just get some help?” It’s not as easy as you think, believe me. For instance, when a person needs encouragement, the pastor is there to offer Scripture, prayer, and hope. Who does the pastor go to when he is discouraged? The parishioner? Does the pastor want to discourage the very people for which he is burdened?
When the shepherd is lost, does he ask the sheep for guidance? Not usually. The sheep would run away! A pastor with a heart for souls will even find it hard to talk with a professional counselor for fear of turning that one person away from Christ. So, he stays silent. But there is hope…
Dr. Steve Brown and I at a fundraiser for Harvest USA
If you are a bona fide pastor or minister, there is a place for you to go and be yourself. You don’t have to worry about what others think when you express your frustrations, your worries, your fears, or your doubts. Pooped Pastors is a place where you can communicate with others who are walking down the same road. It is not meant to replace flesh-and-bone friends, but it can help. I have been a forum member for about 3 years, and I am eternally grateful for what it has meant to me.
Anonymous
What is so unique about Pooped Pastors? Well, Dr. Steve Brown (Key Life Ministries) started this site in order to encourage those who minister. There are many helps and links that are useful, but the hallmark of the site is the pastor’s forums. There, once you are confirmed to be who you say you are (they check), you are assigned a personal number (yes, you become just a number). Once you have your number, you can log into the forums and feel the refreshing breeze of freedom. You don’t have to worry about sharing what’s on your heart. You can be 100% honest, and no one will come asking for your resignation (but don’t go too crazy).
Pass the Word
If you are a minister, please go visit Pooped Pastors. If you are not a minister or pastor, tell your pastor about it. Let him know you are praying for him and that you want him to be encouraged. Write the web address down and give it to him, or, as you know, he’s likely to forget (I’m just say’n).
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