THE SEVEN WONDERS

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     A group of geography students were studying the Seven Wonders of the World.   At the end of that section, the students were asked to list what they think were considered to be the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.  Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

      1.  Egypt's Great Pyramids

      2.  Taj Mahal

      3.  Machu Picchu

      4.  Panama Canal

      5.  Empire State Building

      6.  St. Peter's Basilica

      7.  China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet.  So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.  The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little.  I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

      The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

      The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

      1.  to touch

      2.  to taste

      3.  to see

      4.  to hear

.....  She hesitated a little, and then....

      5.  to feel

      6.  to laugh

      7.  and to love

      Then there was the room so full of silence it was deafening!

 It is far too easy for us to look at the exploits of man and refer to them as "wonders" while we overlook all God has given us, regarding them as merely "ordinary". 

As you plan how and where you are to carry out your ministry today, reflect on the “wonders of God’s creation” that are you will be encountering.  Thank Him for being such a “wonder-full” Creator and the honor He has blessed you with being in ministry with Him to His people.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Sunday School Director’s Summit at Heatherwood Baptist/Newnan, October 27 & 28, 2017 - https://www.sbcworkspace.com/Pub/Event/Register/55227385

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Create a bookmark on your device for the online LifeWay Church Resources 2017-18 catalog - http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/Y/c/N-1z141jlZ1z10gjr

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: ETCH Conference, October 16-18, 2017 - http://etchconference.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Christ-Centered Parenting by Dr. Russell Moore and Phillip Bethancourt - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Christ-Centered-Parenting?emid=BSI-CCP-08012017&ecid=PDM51095&bid=954686231

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Pray Like This by Steve Gaines - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/pray-like-this?emid=BH-95617-1-2017&ecid=PDM71821&bid=1056511677

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY:  “What to do When You Hear Crickets: Dealing with that Awkward Silence in a Group - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2017/09/28/i-could-hear-the-crickets-chirping-three-tips-for-dealing-with-awkward-silence-in-a-group/

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Free “How to Lead a Small Group” workbook - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2017/07/31/how-to-lead-a-small-group-free-workbook/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: She Reads Truth - http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/she+reads+truth

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Women Reaching Women by Chris Adams, developing and strengthening a women’s ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/women-reaching-women-p001293365

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  2018 Events calendar - http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2017/08/08/announcing-2018-events/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Transformed Lives: Taking Your Women’s Ministry to the Next Level by Chris Adams - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/transformed-lives-revised-and-expanded-P005371579?intcmp=LWB-WM-transformedlives

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Audio CD Devotions for Men on the move - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/devotions-for-men-audio-cds-P005632528

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: 33 the Series - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/33-The-Series?intcmp=33-the-series-erdr-314

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Family: Leading a Family by Kenny Luck - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/family-leading-a-family-dvd-leader-kit-P005469698

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: New resources for True Love Waits - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/True-Love-Waits?intcmp=LifewayStudents-MTX-ButtonHero-TLW-20140613

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Pastor Network, connect with Student Pastors around the country without leaving your office AND get $200 worth of 'stuff'. http://buff.ly/2lksLHS

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8: Embrace and Engage the Wonder of Evangelism by Ed Newton - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR PRETEEN MINISTRY: FLYTE, a curriculum for preteens and recommended by preteens - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/FLYTE?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-FlytePreteen-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Five Pitfalls to Avoid in Choosing Kids Curriculum - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2017/10/02/5-pitfalls-when-choosing-curriculum/

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ZIP for Kids, an adaptable curriculum for Wednesdays, Day Camps, retreats, anytime! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-ZipForKids-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: TeamKID for Kids in Discipleship, a year’s curriculum for discipling kids - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/TeamKID?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-TeamKid-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV

Explore the Bible Relaunches with New Tools

LifeWay’s book-by-book ongoing curriculum, Explore the Bible, relaunches this fall with key improvements and new discipleship tools. Here’s an overview of what’s new for adults, students, and kids.

Adults

Daily Discipleship Guides: Content is rearranged to encourage daily Bible study, support mid-week disciple groups, and more. http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/introducing-the-daily-discipleship-guide-coming-fall-2017/

Revised study plan: Two-part studies of larger books of the Bible will now occur in consecutive quarters (e.g. the Gospel of Luke).  file:///C:/Users/redfeld/Downloads/ETB_2017studyplanallages_1_17%20(2).pdf

Students

Clear, easy-to-use design: The Leader Guide and Personal Study Guide have been redesigned to make leading and learning easier than ever before.

New Explore Options: These optional activities and object lessons will help leaders introduce the central truth of each session to students.

New middle school option: Leader Guides and Personal Study Guides are designed specifically with middle school students in mind. Unique activities and questions help younger students understand and apply God’s Word.

Discipleship Moments: This addition to the Leader Guide challenges leaders to get personal with their students by sharing stories from their own life and journey with Christ.

New Family Connection Guides: Updated One Conversations make Explore the Bible even more family-friendly. Busy parents are now equipped with As You Go questions to help them have conversations about Scripture with their teens. Also, Family Devotions review each week’s session in Explore the Bible and challenge parents and students to study the Bible together.

Kids

New study plan: Kids and preschoolers will now study all of the books of the Bible every three years. file:///C:/Users/redfeld/Downloads/ETB_2017studyplanallages_1_17%20(2).pdf

Biblical literacy: In every session, LifeWay’s Bible Skills for Kids provides kids with a specific Bible skill they can build upon for the rest of their lives. http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Bible-Skills-for-Kids?intcmp=BibleSkillsForKids-Search-Button-20170509

Explore the Bible At Home: This new digital resource helps parents make valuable connections about the stories their preschoolers and kids are studying. Explore the Bible At Home connects parent and kid content and gives helpful suggestions for leading a family devotion time.

Books of the Bible cards: Each card includes interesting facts about that book of the Bible, including its author, audience, and purpose.  http://www.lifeway.com/Product/explore-the-bible-books-of-the-bible-cards-P005797312

AND SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: REVIVE: An event for church revitalization and replanting, September 26, 2017, Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Bogart, GA - http://www.cvent.com/events/revive-september-26-2017/event-summary-1d6a78855fd549d6a46a67e0c3af802b.aspx

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Sunday School Director’s Summit at Heatherwood Baptist/Newnan, October 27 & 28, 2017 - https://www.sbcworkspace.com/Pub/Event/Register/55227385

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Leadership Pipeline: Succession at Every Level, October 11-13, 2017 - http://myleadershippipeline.com/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Create a bookmark on your device for the online LifeWay Church Resources 2017-18 catalog - http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/Y/c/N-1z141jlZ1z10gjr

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: ETCH Conference, October 16-18, 2017 - http://etchconference.com/

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

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Christ-Centered Parenting by Dr. Russell Moore and Phillip Bethancourt - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Christ-Centered-Parenting?emid=BSI-CCP-08012017&ecid=PDM51095&bid=954686231

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY:  New Studies Loaded onto smallgroup.com

-          Happily Ever After – Dr. James Merritt gives three steps you can take to create the kind of marriage that God wants you to have in this 3-session, video-enhanced series. 

-           Missional Motherhood—Join Gloria Furman in this 6-session, video-enhanced series as she looks to Scripture for evidence of God’s mission for motherhood and His greater purpose for each and every woman.

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Free “How to Lead a Small Group” workbook - http://www.lifeway.com/groupministry/2017/07/31/how-to-lead-a-small-group-free-workbook/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Women Reaching Women by Chris Adams, developing and strengthening a women’s ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/women-reaching-women-p001293365

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  2018 Events calendar - http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2017/08/08/announcing-2018-events/?ecid=PDM57450&bid=1004181173

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Transformed Lives: Taking Your Women’s Ministry to the Next Level by Chris Adams - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/transformed-lives-revised-and-expanded-P005371579?intcmp=LWB-WM-transformedlives

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: 33 the Series - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/33-The-Series?intcmp=33-the-series-erdr-314

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Family: Leading a Family by Kenny Luck - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/family-leading-a-family-dvd-leader-kit-P005469698

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, October 16-18, Register Now: http://buff.ly/2nw9Wpc

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Pastor Network, connect with Student Pastors around the country without leaving your office AND get $200 worth of 'stuff'. http://buff.ly/2lksLHS

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8: Embrace and Engage the Wonder of Evangelism by Ed Newton - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: True Love Project by Clayton King, an in-depth look at what the Bible has to say about sex, purity, and romance - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/true-love-project-leader-kit-P005558781

FOR PRETEEN MINISTRY: FLYTE, a curriculum for preteens and recommended by preteens - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/FLYTE?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-FlytePreteen-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ZIP for Kids, an adaptable curriculum for Wednesdays, Day Camps, retreats, anytime! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-ZipForKids-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: TeamKID for Kids in Discipleship, a year’s curriculum for discipling kids - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/TeamKID?intcmp=LifewayKids-MTX-Image-TeamKid-20151001

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, October 16-18, Register Now: http://buff.ly/2nw9Wpc

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV

Managing a Meandering Mind

Thoughts on Prayer

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 Like the prodigal son, my mind wanders recklessly into a far country when I pray. In moments of solitude when I am just getting close to God, my brain shifts into gear and speeds off for the highway. I tried making a list. I tried walking around with my eyes open. I tried praying out loud; I tried praying real loud. The harder I tried to eliminate the distractions, the more frustrating they became. I felt like a loser at praying.

  Then an idea came to me unexpectedly. What if the interruptions are God's effort to dialogue with me in prayer? Perhaps God has a better handle on prayer requests than I do. What if I allowed him to use the distractions to direct my prayers?
      I decided to surrender my prayer agenda and to stop fighting the interruptions. Instead of battling my wandering mind, I lift up each random thought in prayer when it comes: "Lord I'm thinking about doughnuts. You got any idea why?" Sometimes praying on it clears the thought away, but other times God uses the thought to speak to me (like convicting me that there's a hole in our relationship).

  Besides opening a new world of interactive dialogue with God, my learning to pray the interruptions instead of fighting them, I discovered, has other benefits.

  At times my prayers are interrupted by what appear to be inappropriate subjects—lustful images, anger about the ministry, complaints. My response used to be denial. I didn't want to admit those thoughts could enter the sacred place of prayer. Frustrated, I would push them away. If they came back, I pushed harder. But the pushing became a distraction in itself.
      Sometimes God uses praying through the thoughts to cleanse them from my mind. Other times I pour out the struggle in all its strife like one of David's psalms. Either way, it has awakened a new honesty and transparency in my relationship with God.

  I like sticking with my prayer list because a list is safe. A list can be used to pray for other people's needs while conveniently overlooking your own shortfalls.

      But heeding the interruptions doesn't allow for that careful avoidance. It forces me to address sins, regrets, and shortcomings I normally wouldn't choose to include on my list. Now when my prayers are interrupted with, You need to devote more time to being intimate with God, I don't just push the thought away, I stop to pray about it.

  By letting the Lord add his items to the prayer list, and by willingly accepting a distraction as an area to explore with Him, I'm doing a lot more listening. I'm finding relief in an area that used to frustrate me. My prodigal mind is beginning to follow the path home—the path that takes me straight to the Father.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: GO GEORGIA: An all church leadership training event with national speakers. Held in two locations on August 18 & 19 (Marietta) and August 25 & 26 (Tifton) - https://gogeorgia.net/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Sunday School Director’s Summit at Heatherwood Baptist/Newnan, October 27 & 28, 2017 - https://www.sbcworkspace.com/Pub/Event/Register/55227385

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Leadership Pipeline: Succession at Every Level, October 11-13, 2017 - http://myleadershippipeline.com/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: “10 Differences between Cockiness and Confidence” by Dr. Eric Geiger - https://ericgeiger.com/2017/07/10-differences-between-cockiness-and-confidence/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Create a bookmark on your device for the online LifeWay Church Resources 2017-18 catalog - http://www.lifeway.com/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/Y/c/N-1z141jlZ1z10gjr

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: REVIVE: An event for church revitalization and replanting, September 26, 2017, Prince Avenue Baptist Church, Bogart, GA - http://www.cvent.com/events/revive-september-26-2017/event-summary-1d6a78855fd549d6a46a67e0c3af802b.aspx

FOR FAMILY MINISTRY: ETCH Conference, October 16-18, 2017 - http://etchconference.com/

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

FOR BIBLE STUDY MINISTRY: “11 Ways to Encourage the use of Personal Study Guides” - http://buff.ly/2tHyL11 

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Christ-Centered Parenting by Dr. Russell Moore and Phillip Bethancourt - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Christ-Centered-Parenting?emid=BSI-CCP-08012017&ecid=PDM51095&bid=954686231

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: “No More Mondays” what our work would look like if we saw it from God's perspective in this 5-session study. via www.smallgroup.com

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path: The Journey – all four volumes are now available! Relational, Intentional, Progressive, Comprehensive: http://buff.ly/2fWPk2b

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Transformed Lives: Taking Your Women’s Ministry to the Next Level by Chris Adams - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/transformed-lives-revised-and-expanded-P005371579?intcmp=LWB-WM-transformedlives

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sleeping Giant by Kenny Luck, steps toward beginning a men’s ministry that transforms men - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/sleeping-giant-leader-kit-P005469852

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Unfolded by Dr. Eric Geiger - http://buff.ly/2hGyO9w 

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: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, October 16-18, Register Now: http://buff.ly/2nw9Wpc

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: The LIFT Tour for developing student leaders - http://www.slulead.com/lift-tour

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Youth Pastor Summit registration is now open - http://www.slulead.com/youth-pastor-summit

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Student Pastor Network, connect with Student Pastors around the country without leaving your office AND get $200 worth of 'stuff'. http://buff.ly/2lksLHS

FOR STUDENT AND KID MINISTRY: “Where do Preteens Belong?” Podcast - http://buff.ly/2uyWnWB

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: 5 Principles for Inviting Children to Jesus in a Shifting Culture -  http://buff.ly/2pa5TwB

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ETCH (Equipping The Church & Home) Conference, October 16-18, Register Now: http://buff.ly/2nw9Wpc

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: Kids Ministry 101 Podcasts -  http://buff.ly/2kPNDFV