WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?

In John Bunyan’s classic allegorical tale called Pilgrim’s Progress, he described a man “who looked no way but downward.” He was constantly gazing to the ground using his muckrake to desperately uncover something of worth to make his life more worthwhile.  Unbeknownst to him all the while there was a bright, priceless crown right above his head being offered by the One.

Bunyan summarizes the tragedy:  “There stood One over his head with a celestial crown in His hand, and proffered him that crown for his muck rake, but the man never looked up as he continued gathering to himself the straw, the small sticks, and the dust of the floor!”

Bunyan’s words remind us that the rewards of heaven will have no appeal unless we set our mind “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2)

Presently, in our personal lives, in our professional lives, in the life of the church we serve, and in the life of our country we can so easily be distracted by the dirt and mud being slung around.  We can easily be discouraged by the downward and darkening paths we appear to be headed.  It is so easy to gaze downward and shuffle our feet in the dust and allow the negative spiral to inevitably pull us lower.

However, I urge you step back and focus upward, on things above, not on things on the earth (Col. 3:2).

We are only sojourners in this world.

We are citizens of heaven. 

Keep sharing His love in all you do … with your family … with your church … with your community … and in your world.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH & COMMUNITY – DevoHub, providing daily devotional material directly to your smart phone or tablet - http://devohub.com/

FOR CHURCH PLANTERS: Helps in starting and sustaining new church starts - https://newchurches.com/

FOR STAFF MEMBERS: 5 Reasons Why Church Announcements Cause Problems - http://thomrainer.com/2016/04/five-reasons-church-announcements-cause-problems/

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Leadership Pipeline Conference, October 13 & 14 - http://myleadershippipeline.com/

FOR LEADER TRAINING: On Track National Sunday School Conference, Hendersonville, TN, March 17 & 18, 2017 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/OnTrack?type=events

FOR LEADER TRAINING: Ministry Grid offers learning pathways to make training easy - http://www.ministrygrid.com/howitworks

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERS: Growing Groups Forums, October 6, 13, 20, & 27 (check the link for a location near you) - http://gabaptistgroups.org/2016-growing-groups-forums/

FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP: National Sunday School Director Seminar, October 22, 2016, Norman Park, GA - http://www.lifeway.com/event/Leadership-Training-National-Sunday-School-Director-Seminar-2016-Norman-Park-GA

FOR SMALL GROUPS: Ice Breakers for Established Groups - http://biblestudyinsider.com/2016/07/19/3-icebreakers-for-established-groups/#.V63nwqLEKkU

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path, a plan for developing disciples - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken (a great follow up to the “Insanity of God” movie - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/insanity-of-obedience

FOR MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT: Marriage Getaways at Ridgecrest, NC - http://buff.ly/2b7VhXI

FOR MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT:  A Beautiful Design by Matt Chandler, recognizing God’s design in men and women - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/A-Beautiful-Design?emid=adult-enewsletter-abd-70576

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, Nashville, TN, October 3-5, 2016 - http://etchconference.com/

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Living Proof Simulcast with Beth Moore, September 17, 2016; host one at your church or in your home – http://buff.ly/2b7VOc6

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: 5 Top Women’s Studies for the fall - http://buff.ly/2aO1FZ4

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Onward by Russell Moore, confronting today’s culture with Christ - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Onward?intcmp=Men-MTX-Slider-Onward-20160314

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood – http://www.lifeway.com/Product/stepping-up-a-call-to-courageous-manhood-leader-kit-P005764897

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The best of resources for your student ministry - http://buff.ly/2aO2WPN

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Disciples Path for students – a new series for developing your student’s discipleship - http://www.lifeway.com/Disciples-Path/Youth/c/N-1z0znzeZ1z141ym?intcmp=DisciplesPath-MTX-Text-Students-20150625

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: It’s Not What You Think by Jefferson Bethke, the Christian Life is more than receiving a pass into heaven - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/its-not-what-you-think-student-leader-kit-P005782007

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Free Webinar, “Breaking Down the Ministry Silos between Kids & Student Ministry”, August 17, 12:30 EDT - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/webinar/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ZIP for Kids – check out the 3 seasons of this very flexible and high energy event for kids - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=ZipForKidsSearch-MTX-Button-20130819

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: TeamKid’s “Catching Air”, the newest cycle is this discipleship bestseller - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/TeamKID?intcmp=teamkid-erdr-314