"...the Bible is Pretty Simple,"

A minister flying to the West Coast struck up a conversation with the passenger next to him. “What’s your occupation?” he asked. His seatmate replied, “I’m a professor of astronomy. And what about you?” “I’m a pastor,” the minister answered.
The astronomer shifted a bit in his seat and then confessed, “I used to attend church when I was young, but my wife and I don’t go very often now. But the way I look at it, the Bible is pretty simple. It all boils down to ‘Get along with your neighbors and stay out of trouble.’”
"That’s interesting,” the pastor noted. “I feel the same way about what you do. For me, astronomy all boils down to ‘Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.’”
Even though children can understand the Bible’s basic truths, it is no simple book. Anyone who bothers to study it finds it to be as limitless as the cosmos. We can go back to the same text countless times and still find more there. No one has ever mastered the Scriptures.

Challenge your class members, preschool through adult, to continue to grow in their understanding of the Scriptures. One good way of doing that is through reading a portion of the Bible daily. LifeWalk is a good tool to use in reading through the Bible in one year. It provides a plan and also provides interesting background material to help you understand the context of what you are reading.

A good opportunity to get your church involved in a daily reading program begins in October when LifeWalk begins its trek through the New Testament. Order an adequate number of copies of LifeWalk ( http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005107653.2009-10) and challenge your members to read through the New Testament by the end of the year.

They (and your church) will be richer for it.

"Things You May Be Interested In ..."

LifeWay is on Facebook - From Scriptures that will encourage you to the latest product release, this page lets you know about all things LifeWay. Plus, we often ask questions to get a better understanding of who you are and how we can help. Come see us soon! www.facebook.com/lifeway

Mentoring the Next Generation - a great resource to develop a mentoring program: http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005153102

Worship War: relevance vs reverence - In case you missed it, an excellent debate between Ed Stetzer and Mike Harland on worship occurred on September 1. See it on: http://lifeway.com/RvR

Fresh Encounter - Have a Fresh Encounter Weekend that can lead to a spiritual awakening within your church: http://www.lifeway.com/e1/shop/?id=005226601&CID=Adlt-Ministry-Solutions-emailCRD20090818-FreshEncounter-Text

What the Unchurched Don't Like About Christians (Thom Rainer) http://www.churchcentral.com/blog/What-the-unchurched-don't-like-about-Christians

Heart Connex - an family devotional via e-mail: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D161567%252526M%25253D200810%2C00.html

How Do I Handle 'Runaway' Prayer Requests in My Group?

If your group spends more time talking about prayer than actually praying, or if the prayers sound too much like “gimme” lists, try some of the following ideas:

1. Alphabet Soup. Call out a letter of the alphabet. As people in the group think of an attribute or aspect of God’s nature beginning with that letter, have them say the word or phrase and then briefly praise God for that character quality. For example, if you say, “T,” a group member might respond with “Trustworthy: Lord, thank you that I can trust You.” Another says, “Tenderness: God, I praise you for your tender loving care.” To keep things moving, the leader mentions another letter frequently.
2. The Name Above All Names. Compile a list of the different forms of the name Jehovah and what they mean. Hand out copies to the group and ask them to spend a few minutes meditating on the names. Invite each member to share a name that is particularly meaningful to him or her and to turn it into a short prayer. The person praying might say, “Father, You are Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides. Thank You for providing me with a person to talk to this week when I was lonely but too afraid to admit it.”
3. Sign-in Prayer Requests. If your time is limited, a sign-in system can help the group spend less time explaining prayer needs and more time praying. Have a sheet of paper ready and ask people to write down their requests as they arrive or before the meeting begins. During prayer time, read each item aloud and ask someone to pray about it.
4. Prayer Shuffle. A variation on the sign-in sheet is to have members note requests on index cards. If you have many needs to pray for, divide into groups of three. Shuffle the cards and hand out a few to each group.
5. Global Perspective. Lead the group in praying for specific needs of missionaries around the country and around the world. Download daily requests from http://imb.org/compassionnet/TodaysPrayer.asp and http://www.namb.net/root/home/prayer/ .
6. Community Concerns. Clip articles from your newspaper about local issues or people who have specific needs. Use the clippings as a basis for intercession either with the group as a whole or in pairs

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN ....

Worship War: relevance vs reverence - a debate between Ed Stetzer and Mike Harland on September 1. http://lifeway.com/RvR

Women's Leadership Conference: MOMENTum - Living and Leading in Today's Culture, Nashville, TN - November12-14; Low registration cost of $125 until September 10. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D27%252526M%25253D200980%2C00.html

Excel '09: Ministers of Education Conference http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D119%252526M%25253D201006%2C00.html

Senior Adult Fall Celebration: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_list_mainpage/0,2234,M%253D200971,00.html?

Tool for Training Preschool Leaders: Love, Laughter, and Learning http://www.lifeway.com/e9/shop/?id=001208783

National Youth Worker's Conference: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D185%252526M%25253D201001%2C00.html?cid=studentziplnywc072809
How To Get Your 1st Time Guests To Come Back http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A%253D162588%2526M%253D200826,00.html

A Word of Thanks

When I took this job as a LifeWay's church consultant for Georgia last year, one of the things I looked forward to was to strengthen the friendships I had with numerous ministers and to begin other relationships with many more ministers around the state. One of my goals was to be a source of support and encouragement to any ministers who found themselves in a difficult situation. Little did I know that it would be me who would receive many expressions of support and encouragement over the last three weeks from my numerous friends around Georgia.

When I made you aware of the loss of my son, Jacob, several weeks ago I was overwhelmed by the immediate response of emails and calls I received that week. Several of my friends who live close by came to the visitation or memorial service and I have continued to receive notes by mail and/or email. All of these expressions of concern and support have been a source of comfort to me and I am humbled to know that these growing friendships means that much to each of you around the state.

I am beginning my work again and in the coming weeks you should receive a contact from me endeavoring to set up a meeting or notifying you that I have some material I want to place in your hands. If you need some help on anything, please contact me and I’ll do my best to be of assistance. That is another priority I have placed on this position I hold – I want to help you be successful in the ministry God has placed you.

God bless you and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Things You May Be Interested In ….

The Parent Adventure: Preparing Your Kid for a Life with God – for a sample chapter and video, click on http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=828497&cid=ParentAdventureeupdateMay2009

Senior Adult Fall Celebration, Ridgecrest, NC, October 12-16, featuring keynote speaker Charles Lowery, music and worship leader Ronnie McCarson, Bible study leader Keith Wiginton, pianist Mike Moose, and concert artists Shiloh. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D59%252526M%25253D200971%2C00.html?cid=SrAdultFalleventseupdateMay2009


Festivals of Marriage: 3 Day Weekend Retreats – Panama City, FL, September 25-27; Ridgecrest, NC, October 9-11, 16-18, or 23-25. http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D166%252526M%25253D200975%2C00.html

Help Your Students Leap Toward Faith: A D’Now study or 5 session study. http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=834386

Insights for Reaching Young Adults in the Southeastern States. This is a very revealing study done by LifeWay research and Louisiana Baptist Convention. Click on link and scroll down right column to “Young Adults in Southeastern States”. http://www.lbc.org/AdultMinistry/Default.aspx

Book: "Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched & The Churches That Reach Them" (Stetzer, Stanley & Hayes) http://www.lifeway.com/e7/shop/?R=821139

A Good Thing to Remember

While praying one day a little girl asked,"Who are you, Lord?"

He answered, "I Am"

"But, Who is I Am?" she said.

And He replied..."I Am Love, I Am Peace,

I Am Grace, I Am Joy,

I Am the Way, Truth, and the Light.

I Am the Comforter, I Am Strength,

I Am Safety, I Am Shelter,

I Am Power, I Am the Creator,

I Am the Beginning and the End.

I Am the Most High."

The girl with tears in her eyes looked toward heaven and said, "Now I understand, but Lord, Who Am I ?"

Then God tenderly wiped the tears from her eyes and whispered,

"YOU ARE MINE"

-- Author Unknown

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

How to have Beth Moore lead a conference at your church (sort of): Living Proof simulcast, August 28, 29: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D194%252526M%25253D200979%2C00.html

Fuel Ignited: a new video study for youth is coming this fall. Click on the link to see a promo and to download promotion materials: http://www.lifeway.com/fuel/new_site/

5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter: a great study for Youth Ministry to sponsor for parents: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834289&cid=Women-EUpdate-5Conversations-0509-Featured

Three ways to do New Member training: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168407%252526M%25253D200828%2C00.html

New Women's Study by Priscilla Shirer, One in a Million: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834402&CID=WomenNews-emailCRD20090601-Million

Start a Sunday School class for Parents: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165133%252526M%25253D201160%2C00.html

MasterLife is now on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MasterLife/110224721616

What Makes a Church 'Healthy'?

In recent months I have had the interesting privilege to help LifeWay Research conduct some research on characteristics of a healthy church. I, along with twenty other consultants, have interviewed selected churches of differing denominations some questions concerning what these churches did that promoted a sense of health and well being in their church. Dr. Rainer and Dr. Stetzer plan to take the information gleaned from these interviews and compiled the results and their insights into book form sometime next year.


Participating in these interviews has caused me to wonder, how would the ministers I meet with throughout the state of Georgia answer the question. So I invite you to respond to the question below by posting it on this blog site so I, along with the many others that see it, can begin to get a sense of what it takes to help a church maintain it's spiritual health.

"What are your top 3 - 5 characteristics of what makes a church healthy?"

I look forward to reading what you have to say.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

Sunday School vs. Small Groups: Which is better? Watch the live debate on May 19 - http://www.lifeway.com/sundayschoolvssmallgroups/

Soul Shaping: Disciplines That Conform You to the Image of Christ http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0,1701,M%253D201071,00.html

LifeTruths being revised: For parents by parents because God's Word makes us better parents. For more information and free downloads - http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D165133%252526M%25253D201160%2C00.html?cid=LifeTruthsMarch

January Bible Study 2010: Stories for Life: Parables of the Kingdom in Matthew. "It's not just for January. It's makes a great discipleship study." http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=834378

Fall Celebration for Senior Adults at Ridgecrest: October 12-16, 2009, Charles Lowry, guest speaker. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D59%252526M%25253D200971%2C00.html

10 Ways to Worship Without Music

Ten Ways to Worship Without Music,

Building Worship into Your Daily Life

by Tobin Perry, staff writer at Saddleback Church
This article is a reprint from the website, www.pastors.com

As you'll discover as you read through Rick Warren's, The Purpose Driven Life, worship through music is only a small portion of what true, biblical worship is all about. God designed us to worship Him with our whole lives, and there are actually spiritual habits that we can build into our lives that help us worship God more deeply. Here are ten habits than will build worship into your life on a daily basis.
1. Worship through prayer. When we affirm who God is through our prayers, we put our prayer life in proper perspective. That's exactly how Jesus taught us to pray. Prayer starts with God (example: “Our Father, which art in heaven”). Consider including in your prayers a time of focused attention on who God is.
2. Get in a regular habit of reading the Bible. The Bible says that we worship God in "spirit and in truth." How can we ever worship God without a clear understanding of who He is? The truth about God is essential to worship.
3. Obey God. Rick Warren mentions in The Purpose Driven Life that we worship God when we obey Him. We all need to build the habit of obedience into our lives. Whenever you sense God is speaking to you, make it a regular practice to respond immediately.
4. Tithe. If you want to know what in your life you worship, look at your checkbook register. The Bible teaches us this important lesson: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Mathew 6:21 NIV)
5. Build deep relationships with other Christians. The Bible teaches that God designed us to live in community with other Christians. We bring God pleasure by getting to know others and being known by them. The primary way we do this is through small groups like Sunday School classes.

6. Share your faith. John Piper made many of us re-look at why we share our faith when he wrote a few years ago: "Missions exists because worship doesn't." God wants every person on the planet to worship him, not because He is an egomaniac who needs our praise, but because worship is how we are designed by God. He wants the best for us.
7. Serve others. Jesus tells us that "when you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me!" (Matt. 25:40 NLT) When we serve one another, Jesus tells us we are really serving Him.
8. Build into your life the attitude of thankfulness. When we look through the lens of thankfulness, we see our lives—and everything in it—as all gifts from God. Develop your own spiritual exercise each morning that demonstrates that you are putting on your lens of thankfulness.
9. Begin turning over to God areas of your life that you have never committed to Him. This is the heart of worship — surrender. God won't settle for 90 percent of your life; He wants all of it. You might have been a follower of Jesus for years, but you still have areas of your life that you are holding back from Him. Allow God to expose those areas and help you release to Him.
10. Live a life of purpose. God has a reason for your existence. In fact, He has five: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism and worship. You please God when you live in step with His purposes. God doesn't want you to waste your life.
You were designed for God's pleasure. The purpose of worship is the foundation of the other four purposes. Fellowship without the spirit of worship is just "hanging out." Discipleship without worship is nothing but a fruitless mental exercise. Ministry without worship is called "spinning your wheels." Evangelism without worship is a misplaced sales pitch.
Worship isn't simply one area of your life; it is your life. Start right this moment by surrendering your life to God. Then spend the rest of your life learning to worship Him more fully.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....

Background Checks Help: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/bgc.asp

Prospect Services Information: http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/ch_prosp.asp

Logos Church Management Systems: http://www.logoscms.com/lifeway.html

Summer Units of Study for YOU: Unit 1: How to Pray... Unit 2: Set Apart (this is a study on holiness) Unit 3: Pushing Back (this is a study on influence) http://www.lifeway/you

LifeTruths ... is being revised, restructured, and renewed. Written for parents by parents, understanding the hectic pace parents run, the study material is designed for leaders to e-mail content for midweek contacts and practical activities for individuals, couples, and families right where they can put it to immediate use—at home. http://www.lifeway.com/lifetruths

Be A Saturday Night Caller!

As a way of improving your church's ministry to its Sunday School members/prospects and experiencing a greater attendance on Sunday morning, encourage them to call some who are in their Bible Study class on Saturday night. Give them these tips:

A. BEFORE YOU CALL . . . PRAY
· Ask God to help you say the right things. God will grant wisdom to those who ask.
· Be sure the tone of your voice is pleasant. Those we call can easily determine the depth of our concern not only by what we say but even more by how we say it.
B. WHEN YOU CALL
1. Identify yourself immediately
2. Develop the conversation by asking about such things as:
· Family (“How’s _________ doing?”)
· How work is going (Is work treating you OK?”)
· Similar recreational interests (How’s the golf game going?”)
3. Tell them you missed them last Sunday at Bible Study, what a great study it was, and that you were wondering if they were coming tomorrow.
· If they say “no”:
· Express your disappointment but not any judgmental feelings.
· Explain the gap their absence causes in the lives of others in the class and your desire to see them return soon.
· Ask if there is anything the class can pray about for them when the class prays during the Bible study.
· If they say “yes”:
· Express your happiness about their return
· Perhaps offer to sit with them in class and worship and plan to have lunch together.
C. AFTER YOU CALL
· Write down any prayer requests that were expressed during your conversation.
· Make arrangements (meeting place, lunch, etc.) on any commitments made.Breathe a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing on behalf of the person you spoke to.

THINGS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN .....
Tools for An Essential Church Manual: A workbook for church leaders to begin the process that will help you evaluate your church and community and implement the principles of Essential Church in your church. http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?emid=65&R=830544
YOU: LifeWay's newest Sunday School curriculum line is biblically-based with culturally relevant lessons to help your members connect, grow, serve, and ultimately be engaged in impacting the world for God. http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168164%252526M%25253D201148%2C00.html
2009 Fall Sunday School Training Emphasis: Connect3: The Power of One Sunday School Class (David Francis) $1 Each or FREE Download to Be Availablehttp://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=831372
Conducting Successful SS Leadership Meetings (by our own Tim Smith) http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168868%252526M%25253D200839%2C00.html
NEXT 2009 Saddleback Small Groups Conference: April 24-25 at Victory World Church, Norcross. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D256%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.html
Student Beta Conferences: This is designed for new Ministers of Youth and follows the same format as the M.E. Beta conferences. Dates are: March 30-31 and April 13-14. Call Sherry Spillman, Student Ministry Specialist for Training and Events, at 615.251.3864, or email her at: sherry.spillman@lifeway.com.

Denominational Diagnostics

I found this article online at Christianity Today last fall by one of my favorite authors, Philip Yancey. It is sub-titled, "What I look for to find a healthy church". I think you'll agree, he has some interesting insights.

Denominational Diagnostics
What I look for to find a healthy church.
Philip Yancey
"This article was first posted 11/19/2008 online at Christianity Today.com.

Used by permission of Christianity Today International, Carol Stream, IL 60188."

This past year my wife and I conducted an experiment. We decided to go through the Yellow Pages under "Churches" and visit each one listed in our local phone book. Although we live in a small town, we found representatives of most denominations, as well as several unaffiliated churches—a total of 24 congregations if you leave out fringe groups like Jehovah's Witnesses.
I learned that churches offer wide variety these days. A few still have organs and choirs, whereas most feature worship bands with electric guitars and drum sets. Oddly, a Church of Christ that forbids musical instruments because they are not mentioned in the New Testament sees no contradiction in projecting hymns on PowerPoint slides. At some churches attendees dress up; at others they wear blue jeans and cowboy boots (I live in Colorado, after all). Churches meet at 7, 9:30, 10:30, and 11 A.M. on Sunday morning, a few meet on Saturday night, and one Lutheran church even meets on Thursday night. Some follow a prescribed liturgy; others apparently make up the order of service on the fly.
With an intuition difficult to explain, I could usually sense the "aliveness" of a congregation within five minutes. Were people conversing in the foyer? Did I hear the sound of laughter? What activities and issues did the bulletin board highlight?
To my surprise, the aliveness factor had little to do with theology. In two of the most conservative churches, members slumped in their seats and glumly went through the motions, even as the pastoral staff conveyed the distinct impression that their primary goal was to get to the benediction. Meanwhile, a liberal church (it had rewritten familiar hymns and even the Lord's Prayer to make them politically correct) showed the most energy in community and global outreach programs.
Thanks to this experiment, I now have a clearer picture of the qualities I look for in a healthy church.
(1) Diversity. As I read accounts of the New Testament church, no characteristic stands out more sharply than this one. Beginning with Pentecost, the Christian church dismantled the barriers of gender, race, and social class that had marked Jewish congregations. Paul, who as a rabbi had given thanks daily that he was not born a woman, slave, or Gentile, marveled over the radical change: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
One modern Indian pastor told me, "Most of what happens in Christian churches, including even the miracles, can be duplicated in Hindu and Muslim congregations. But in my area only Christians strive, however ineptly, to mix men and women of different castes, races, and social groups. That's the real miracle."
Diversity complicates rather than simplifies life. Perhaps for this reason we tend to surround ourselves with people of similar age, economic class, and opinion. Church offers a place where infants and grandparents, unemployed and executives, immigrants and blue bloods can come together. Just yesterday I sat sandwiched between an elderly man hooked up to a puffing oxygen tank and a breastfeeding baby who grunted loudly and contentedly throughout the sermon. Where else can we go to find that mixture?
When I walk into a new church, the more its members resemble each other—and resemble me—the more uncomfortable I feel.
(2) Unity. Of course, diversity only succeeds in a group of people who share a common vision. In his great prayer in John 17, Jesus stressed one request above all others: "that they may be one." The existence of 38,000 denominations worldwide demonstrates how poorly we have fulfilled Jesus' request. I wonder how different the church would look to a watching world, not to mention how different history would look, if Christians were more deeply marked by love and unity. Perhaps a whiff of the fragrance of unity is what I detect when I visit a new church and sense its "aliveness."
(3) Mission. The church, said Archbishop William Temple, is "the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its non-members." Some churches, especially those located in urban areas, focus on the needs of immediate neighborhoods. Others adopt sister churches in other countries, support relief and development agencies, and send mission teams abroad. Saddest of all are those churches whose vision does not extend beyond their own facilities and parking lots.
In my visits I never found a perfect church (nor should we expect to, if the New Testament gives any indication). But when tempted to judge, I simply remind myself that disappointment with the church traces back to God's own bold experiment: to allow ordinary people like us to embody his presence on earth.

You May Be Interested in These Things .....

Festivals of Marriage: You have the opportunity to go to a Festival of Marriage free if you can register five other couples from your church by April 30 to go with you! Details on FOM - http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D166%252526M%25253D200975%2C00.html

Be a Beth Moore simulcast Host: Scheduled for August 28 & 29. See details - http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D272%252526M%25253D200979%2C00.html

NEXT 2009 Saddleback Small Groups Conference: April 23-25 at Victory World Church, Norcross. Register online at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D256%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.html

Student Beta Conferences: This is designed for new Ministers of Youth and follows the same format as the M.E. Beta conferences. Dates are: March 30-31 and April 13-14. Call Sherry Spillman, Student Ministry Specialist for Training and Events, at 615.251.3864, or email her at: sherry.spillman@lifeway.com.

Growing Disciples series: This is a series that has re-formatted the excellent material of MasterLife into six parts, each part being six sessions long. The first one is an excellent new member training tool! Details: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=828955

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great Christmas and that the new year will be full of God’s presence and blessings for you, your family, and your church.

I want to thank all of you that responded to my request of some personal information about you, your family, and your ministry in order to pray more intelligently for you. I was overwhelmed and humbled by the numbers of you that responded so quickly and shared so openly with me. It confirmed to me that what I have experienced in my ministry is what many of you desire as well – to know that there is a trusted friend who understands the hazards of our vocation and is praying for me and for my family. You have my promise that your information is confidential and will be lifted to God on a regular basis.

I was also humbled by those of you that asked for the same information about me and my family so that you could pray for me. I look forward to our future meetings together as we share updates and answers to prayer.

Here is my information:

1. Birthdate - October 29
2. Spouse’s name and job - Karen, 1st grade teacher
3. Children’s names and information

Ben (28), married to Beth, son, Tucker (our first grandson!); Ben is a Baptist Campus Minister at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX.
Katie (23), single, lives in Cumming, GA; works at Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Jacob (20), single, junior at Shorter College (all three kids attended/graduated from Shorter)

4. Personal Request

I need to give a little background on this one. My son, Jacob, was born with a severe heart defect that required a series of life-saving surgeries in his first two years of life. Throughout his life, he has endured numerous hospitalizations, tests, and surgeries. Four years ago, his heart gave out and Jacob received a heart transplant (on 12/21/04). Then a year ago, that heart experienced rejection by Jacob’s body and he received his second heart transplant (on 11/15/07). He is now back to his “normal” college life.

My personal requests are these:

- Jacob’s fragile health be preserved (as well as the health of all my children & grandchild)
- The strain of these twenty years of emotional (and, at times, spiritual) struggles has done a number on my wife and me. Karen, as all mothers are prone to do, has taken the brunt of the emotional baggage and now her body is showing signs of breaking down. Please pray for Karen and me as we struggle under this cloud of fear we constantly walk under. Your prayers are valued on our behalf as there are times when it seems that we and God are not on speaking terms. (I hope it’s OK for me to be so transparent with you)

5. Profession related Request

- Pray for my traveling safety and alertness as I spend many hours on the boring ribbons of concrete and asphalt that cover Georgia.
- Pray that I can be a source of encouragement and help to you and your ministry for God.

Again, thanks for your pledge of prayer for me for the future. And you can count on my prayers for you. I look forward to our times together as we experience 2009 together in ministering to God’s Great Georgians.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN THESE THINGS ....

GBREA Annual Workshop, January 22-23, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Centerville - special guests, Josh Hunt & Kenn Kington: see details at http://www.gbrea.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=39977
Essential Church Retreat, February 26-29, 2009 at Ridgecrest, N.C. : designed for church staffs to go, listen, learn, and plan http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D235%252526M%25253D200752%2C00.html
NEXT 2009: Saddleback Small Groups Conferences (Norcross, GA)
http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D256%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.htmlAnticipated Workshop Titles: http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D263%252526M%25253D200989%2C00.html
NEW! Seven Words of Worship: The Key to a Lifetime of Experiencing God (8 Sessions, Mike Harland, Stan Moser) DVD Leader Kit http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=828532

Avoiding Attitudes that Hinder Sunday School Growth: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D168518%252526M%25253D200839%2C00.html

The Manger with Two Babies

Two Americans went with a team from Campus Crusade for Christ to Russia. This particular day they visited about 100 children who had been abandoned, abused and left in the care of a government-run orphanage. Here is their story in their own words:
It was nearing the holiday season time in 1994 for the orphans to hear the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.
After completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins. The children were instructed to tear the paper and carefully lay the strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown were used for the baby’s blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help.
All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy’s manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger.
Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at his completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young child who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately … until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story.
He said, “And when Maria laid the Baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told Him I couldn’t because I didn’t have a gift to give Him like everybody else. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought ‘maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift.’
So I asked Jesus, ‘If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?’
Jesus told me, ‘If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody every gave me.’ So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him - for always.”
As little Misha finished his story, his eyes filled with tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found Someone who would never abandon or abuse him. Someone who would stay with him - FOR ALWAYS.

WHAT A GIFT WE HAVE RECEIVED! WHAT GIFT CAN WE GIVE? MERRY CHRISTMAS! – RLE

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Tools for Celebrating Advent http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D161363%252526M%25253D200825%2C00.html

NEW! "The Love Dare Bible Study Leader Kit": Includes Fireproof Movie DVD, Fireproof Your Life book by Michael Catt, Small Group member book w/ Leader Notes, CD-Rom with Sermon outlines/church campaign info, "Love Dare" journal, Teaching Clips from movie DVD; cost $49.95; tentative release date: February 2, 2009. You can order now here: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=826658

Help your church members to become missional minded: Compelled by Love: A Journey to Missional Living (7 Sessions with DVD) by Ed Stetzer and Phillip Nation (to be released January 2009) Description: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_nrel_F08_AD-Compelled-By-Love.pdf Member Workbook: http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=828516

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Essential Church Retreat, February 26-29, 2009 at Ridgecrest, N.C. : designed for church staffs to go, listen, learn, and plan http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_detail_mainpage/0%2C2232%2CE%25253D235%252526M%25253D200752%2C00.html

Fresh Ideas for Thanksgiving Celebrations
Written by Diana Davis (from her book, Fresh Ideas, B&H Publishing)

It all began with some comments about turkey. Our church’s annual turkey dinner had grown stale. As one young couple stated, “There’s a limit to how many turkey dinners one can eat in a week!” It was time to begin a new Thanksgiving tradition.

On Sunday evening before Thanksgiving, our church family gathered in the fellowship hall for a very special Lord’s Supper celebration and a simple meal. Everyone was seated at round tables with candle centerpieces. One deacon or church staff member sat at each table, and a scrumptious meal of homemade stew and cornbread was served. At their table, each person informally shared about blessings from God during the previous year.
After dinner, lights were dimmed and the pastor led a meaningful candlelight Lord’s Supper, and we celebrated God’s greatest blessing. He directed the deacons or staff members to administer the elements to those at their table. This simple, solemn ceremony became an anticipated, well-attended tradition. And it was turkey-free.

Looking for more fresh ideas for a Sunday School class at Thanksgiving?

A “Pie Squad Party” is a Thanksgiving celebration/ministry event. Partygoers load into cars to joyfully deliver gorgeous homemade pies to church members who are homebound or living in a nursing home. Each member of the group signs a greeting card to leave with the pie, and after spending a few minutes to encourage and pray for the homebound friends, team members gather back at the church to enjoy the town’s biggest homemade cobbler.

“A Wall of Thanks” is a visual expression of thanks. At the beginning of November, use white paper to cover a focal wall in the classroom. Invite class members to use markers or paints to artfully express thanks to God all month long.

“Seeking Thanksgiving” is a mystery van trip where vehicles packed with class members follow a map to several prearranged locations to discover and celebrate God’s blessings. Recruit class members with large vehicles to drive, and ask them to enhance its exterior with Thanksgiving decor and a “Seeking Thanksgiving” sign.

Carefully select Christians in your church who have been uniquely blessed or protected by God this year, and ask them to host a mystery stop, where carloads of church members will make a brief visit to celebrate God’s blessings. Your pastor may have ideas of very thankful members. Some examples:
· a couple with a new baby
· a homebound senior adult rocking on her porch
· a brand new Christian at his home
· a college student in her dorm
· a hospitalized member who can receive guests
· a recent immigrant
Each thankful person awaits the visitors, holding a large picket-type sign that reads “I’m thankful!” Groups take a photo with them, encourage and pray with them, then return to the church for refreshments and fellowship.

After all, there’s more than just turkey to a great Thanksgiving season.

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