Thursday, July 31, 2008
Father Abraham
Anything that kids do is cute. This is especially true, if they have an african accent. I met these kids on my recent trip to South Africa. They are performed this song for us before we began to work to help improve their education center called Graceland. These kids live on nearby farms and come to Graceland everyday to learn. Without Graceland these kids would not be receiving an adequate education. in the Stelenbosch region of South Africa. They live on nearby farms and
Monday, July 14, 2008
Freedom?
To protect your freedom, we will read your email.
To protect your freedom, we will listen to your phone calls.
To protect your freedom, we will watch your every move.
To promote freedom, we will hold secret trials.
To promote freedom, we will torture.
To promote freedom, we will imprison as many people as necessary.
To protect and promote freedom, we will remain unaccountable.
To protect your freedom, we will listen to your phone calls.
To protect your freedom, we will watch your every move.
To promote freedom, we will hold secret trials.
To promote freedom, we will torture.
To promote freedom, we will imprison as many people as necessary.
To protect and promote freedom, we will remain unaccountable.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Cautionary note on Strengths Finder themes of talent
It has come to my attention that there is a tendency to use the results of the strengths finder evaluation in ways that are unnecessarily limiting. I don't believe that your themes should be seen as disqualifying you for things, nor should it be used as a way to cop out of certain responsibilities.
I'll give you an example using my own themes which are Input, Intellection, Responsibility, Context, and Connectedness. you will notice that none of these themes are obviously relational. I don't have Woo, Relator, Includer, Empathy, or some other theme that might mark me as someone who is good at relationships. However, I am pretty good at building and maintaining relationships. How I build and maintain relationships is affected by my themes in the following way.
{Input} I listen to people. I love talking to someone one-on-one and asking them quesitons about their life. I try to figure out someone's personality by observing their reactions in different situations or listening to certain phrases that they repeat like "It's the right thing to do." or "I had a hunch she felt that way."
It's even better if I can get them to take a personal evaluation test like Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Love Language Test, Gifts Test, or Strengths Finder. If so, then I'll research everything i can find out about them based on their evaluation results.
{Input, Context} I like to find out about where people are from. I love to learn historical information about someone such as how someone came to Christ, how they met their spouse, or how they landed a certain job.
{Intellection} I turn over in my mind all of the things that I've learned about someone by listening, observing, and researching their themes or personality type. I look at things from different angles. I reinterpret situations that I've observed this person in and notice how personality influenced response.
{Intellection,Connectedness}I make connections between different thengs that they have revealed about themselves. How does being raised up in a country church relate to their Belief Theme? Does their spiritual gift of mercy have a parallel in their preferred love language? Is their personality fit their profession? On and on I go.
{Intellection} I try to understand how the person fits in the larger group. I also imagine how this person would fit in other groups and environments.
{Responsibility} Then, I think of ways to use this understanding of a person to tailor my style of communication. I try to encourage them based on who I understand them to be. If I can, I recommend experiences that I thing that they would enjoy and connect them with other people who may be able to help them pursue their goals or fulfill their desires. I'm often asked for advice because people feel like I 'get them' and can help them get a better perspective on situations. I relate Scripture, using my own teaching gift, to them in ways that make God's Word relevant to someone based on what I understand about them and about their situation.
The point is that I am not people-focused because of my themes, but because God commands me to love people. I use my themes to serve people in my own way. Don't let your themes define your mission. Let your themes serve your mission.
I'll give you an example using my own themes which are Input, Intellection, Responsibility, Context, and Connectedness. you will notice that none of these themes are obviously relational. I don't have Woo, Relator, Includer, Empathy, or some other theme that might mark me as someone who is good at relationships. However, I am pretty good at building and maintaining relationships. How I build and maintain relationships is affected by my themes in the following way.
{Input} I listen to people. I love talking to someone one-on-one and asking them quesitons about their life. I try to figure out someone's personality by observing their reactions in different situations or listening to certain phrases that they repeat like "It's the right thing to do." or "I had a hunch she felt that way."
It's even better if I can get them to take a personal evaluation test like Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Love Language Test, Gifts Test, or Strengths Finder. If so, then I'll research everything i can find out about them based on their evaluation results.
{Input, Context} I like to find out about where people are from. I love to learn historical information about someone such as how someone came to Christ, how they met their spouse, or how they landed a certain job.
{Intellection} I turn over in my mind all of the things that I've learned about someone by listening, observing, and researching their themes or personality type. I look at things from different angles. I reinterpret situations that I've observed this person in and notice how personality influenced response.
{Intellection,Connectedness}I make connections between different thengs that they have revealed about themselves. How does being raised up in a country church relate to their Belief Theme? Does their spiritual gift of mercy have a parallel in their preferred love language? Is their personality fit their profession? On and on I go.
{Intellection} I try to understand how the person fits in the larger group. I also imagine how this person would fit in other groups and environments.
{Responsibility} Then, I think of ways to use this understanding of a person to tailor my style of communication. I try to encourage them based on who I understand them to be. If I can, I recommend experiences that I thing that they would enjoy and connect them with other people who may be able to help them pursue their goals or fulfill their desires. I'm often asked for advice because people feel like I 'get them' and can help them get a better perspective on situations. I relate Scripture, using my own teaching gift, to them in ways that make God's Word relevant to someone based on what I understand about them and about their situation.
The point is that I am not people-focused because of my themes, but because God commands me to love people. I use my themes to serve people in my own way. Don't let your themes define your mission. Let your themes serve your mission.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
My Favorite Lyrics
I got these off of the site lyricsdir.com. These lyrics are from a rap by E'Miner and the Pilgrim featured on the album "Human Emergency". It is presented as a prayer and is entitled "Lord"
These lyrics were my prayer for about 1.5yrs.
[The Pilgrim]
Lord Jesus You're the King
And You reign over everything
Nothing is impossible to You not even anything
Forever never perishing
You're beauty never blemishing
You are the song that we sing
when we're worshipping
You're word is nourishing
and You're kingdom ever flourishing
Eternal never finishing, never ever diminishing
I'm relishing my relationship I'm daily cherishing
Through fellowship my thirsty soul You're replenishing
Lord, because You're just sin and lust You'll be punishing
Astonishing, how man rejects the admonishing
But knees will be knocking, hard nuts will be cracking and trembling
All high heels You'll be leveling
Mans long list of short comings
You'll be measuring and threatening
Over drawn accounts You'll be settling
Prodigal sons and lost souls
You'll be beckoning and tethering
And then will welcome them into the bretherin
[E'Miner]
Lord release Your power from on high through our lives
coz when we grip the mic we want to drop this right
we bring our bodies as a living sacrifice
that the deaf ears might be opened
and the blind receive their sight, and recognize
the way that they can identify
with You the Christ who Died
so that we could come into the light
and realise that You took away our sin
the way to You is open we can now freely come within
You're Holy veil
Lord, no more livin stale,
Lord, we can know You for ourselves for real
Lord and be secure in who You are
in everything we do worship
You and know that we is cool
that's why we, want to state plainly
the liberty that You have given us by You sovereignty
gratefully received
Cross Movement and MOD merge together as one like melody and harmony
a Godly symphony
sounding out the ghetto liturgy
globally, we bring encouragement to all You're family
faithfully, we want to serve You side by side with sword and trowel
till before You're throne on both our bended knees we take our bow
[Chorus]
Lord we declare humbly that You are here
We recognize ya
We raise our praise to Your name
Hallelujah
We come to represent You with no shame
because we love ya
There's nobody else who is above ya
[The Pilgrim]
Lord I thank You that to us Gentiles
who sat in the darkness You brought us light
through Christ
no less, sitting in the shadow of death
Lord this world is a mass grave
a tomb headed for doom, give me room
spreading from the left to the right
no depth or no height
holding forth the word of life yo
takin this game to the street, kicking tradition to the kerb
enlightening those who never heard bringing the word
faithfully spittin the truth, we're cuttin them loose
the sceptics providin them proof yo
we aint timid and scared, we're fully prepared
we're ready and keen 1Peter 3:15
me and my team
hit targets and getting annoyed
while The Word of God is accurate it never returns void
and if you're looking for Guns we ain't carryin
but I've got a Bible and some tracks in my hand you understand
[E'Miner]
Lord People wrestle You and try to fling You off like Dr Spock
Instead of gripping You like Jacob
Truly You are in this place and they know it not
like Clarke Gable, Frankly my dear the mans don't give a... what!?!
Do they know not
that they're headed for that hot spot
and when their flesh rots
they will still be burning non-stop?
We try to reason, but they treat us like we're talkin treason
wanning (going on) like they is the cream of the crop
so we use the hip-hop
to preach non-stop
rinse the Bible from bottom to top
Blaze the Word till we drop
because we can't stop makin it clear
that You are here and You truly care
and our burdens You'll truly bare
but beware because we know
You're judgement is drawin near
if we turn from sin, You'll bring us in
out of despair
You made the way clear
yet it does makes You're heart bleed
to see the gals dem bunnin the weed
driven by greed, mans out sowin wild seed
yet more wild flowers a breed
when will the people take heed
tell me when will the people them see
Lord You're here full of Grace and Mercy
us Your keen to receive
Tell me when will the people them see, Lord
You're here and You're wrath is ready if we refuse to believe
These lyrics were my prayer for about 1.5yrs.
[The Pilgrim]
Lord Jesus You're the King
And You reign over everything
Nothing is impossible to You not even anything
Forever never perishing
You're beauty never blemishing
You are the song that we sing
when we're worshipping
You're word is nourishing
and You're kingdom ever flourishing
Eternal never finishing, never ever diminishing
I'm relishing my relationship I'm daily cherishing
Through fellowship my thirsty soul You're replenishing
Lord, because You're just sin and lust You'll be punishing
Astonishing, how man rejects the admonishing
But knees will be knocking, hard nuts will be cracking and trembling
All high heels You'll be leveling
Mans long list of short comings
You'll be measuring and threatening
Over drawn accounts You'll be settling
Prodigal sons and lost souls
You'll be beckoning and tethering
And then will welcome them into the bretherin
[E'Miner]
Lord release Your power from on high through our lives
coz when we grip the mic we want to drop this right
we bring our bodies as a living sacrifice
that the deaf ears might be opened
and the blind receive their sight, and recognize
the way that they can identify
with You the Christ who Died
so that we could come into the light
and realise that You took away our sin
the way to You is open we can now freely come within
You're Holy veil
Lord, no more livin stale,
Lord, we can know You for ourselves for real
Lord and be secure in who You are
in everything we do worship
You and know that we is cool
that's why we, want to state plainly
the liberty that You have given us by You sovereignty
gratefully received
Cross Movement and MOD merge together as one like melody and harmony
a Godly symphony
sounding out the ghetto liturgy
globally, we bring encouragement to all You're family
faithfully, we want to serve You side by side with sword and trowel
till before You're throne on both our bended knees we take our bow
[Chorus]
Lord we declare humbly that You are here
We recognize ya
We raise our praise to Your name
Hallelujah
We come to represent You with no shame
because we love ya
There's nobody else who is above ya
[The Pilgrim]
Lord I thank You that to us Gentiles
who sat in the darkness You brought us light
through Christ
no less, sitting in the shadow of death
Lord this world is a mass grave
a tomb headed for doom, give me room
spreading from the left to the right
no depth or no height
holding forth the word of life yo
takin this game to the street, kicking tradition to the kerb
enlightening those who never heard bringing the word
faithfully spittin the truth, we're cuttin them loose
the sceptics providin them proof yo
we aint timid and scared, we're fully prepared
we're ready and keen 1Peter 3:15
me and my team
hit targets and getting annoyed
while The Word of God is accurate it never returns void
and if you're looking for Guns we ain't carryin
but I've got a Bible and some tracks in my hand you understand
[E'Miner]
Lord People wrestle You and try to fling You off like Dr Spock
Instead of gripping You like Jacob
Truly You are in this place and they know it not
like Clarke Gable, Frankly my dear the mans don't give a... what!?!
Do they know not
that they're headed for that hot spot
and when their flesh rots
they will still be burning non-stop?
We try to reason, but they treat us like we're talkin treason
wanning (going on) like they is the cream of the crop
so we use the hip-hop
to preach non-stop
rinse the Bible from bottom to top
Blaze the Word till we drop
because we can't stop makin it clear
that You are here and You truly care
and our burdens You'll truly bare
but beware because we know
You're judgement is drawin near
if we turn from sin, You'll bring us in
out of despair
You made the way clear
yet it does makes You're heart bleed
to see the gals dem bunnin the weed
driven by greed, mans out sowin wild seed
yet more wild flowers a breed
when will the people take heed
tell me when will the people them see
Lord You're here full of Grace and Mercy
us Your keen to receive
Tell me when will the people them see, Lord
You're here and You're wrath is ready if we refuse to believe
Monday, April 28, 2008
lesson learned leading women's ministry
For a large number of people the following hold true:
(1) Being cared for is more important than being challenged
(2) Being loved is more important than being admired
(1) Being cared for is more important than being challenged
(2) Being loved is more important than being admired
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
a subtle deceit
It was an easy thing to regard that initial commitment that I made to Jesus as a significant moment to be memorialized. Once I became His, I had only to enjoy the benefits of this amazing association. I had learned the new rules.
With this accomplished, I looked to occupy myself with other pursuits. New adventures, achievements, and relationships absorbed my attention and passions. I carefully applied the new rules to the same pursuits that I had before I began to follow Jesus. This, I supposed, was what it meant to believe.
This attitude is subtle and subversive. The truth is that the commitment that I made to Jesus was not about the moment of decision. It was to a lifestyle of seeking and yielding. I am unfaithful to that commitment when I am too concerned with my own desires and ambitions to seek God's pleasure and too tied to my own goals and pursuits to yield to His purpose.
In that moment, obedience becomes an inconvenient obligation to avoid if possible and endure when necessary.
With this accomplished, I looked to occupy myself with other pursuits. New adventures, achievements, and relationships absorbed my attention and passions. I carefully applied the new rules to the same pursuits that I had before I began to follow Jesus. This, I supposed, was what it meant to believe.
This attitude is subtle and subversive. The truth is that the commitment that I made to Jesus was not about the moment of decision. It was to a lifestyle of seeking and yielding. I am unfaithful to that commitment when I am too concerned with my own desires and ambitions to seek God's pleasure and too tied to my own goals and pursuits to yield to His purpose.
In that moment, obedience becomes an inconvenient obligation to avoid if possible and endure when necessary.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Someone just died
I can hear my mom calling relatives in the next room. I know the drill by now. Calling relatives across the nation means that someone has died. At best, someone is in the hospital.
In the first six months of last year we have had 3 deaths in the family. I am familiar with the routine. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.
My dad just came in my room to tell me the news. My cousin, D., her husband was killed in a car accident last night. Our family is very close. I grew up with her being more like a sister than a cousin.
Please pray for D. she now has 2 teenagers, a baby, and a house to care for.
In the first six months of last year we have had 3 deaths in the family. I am familiar with the routine. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.
My dad just came in my room to tell me the news. My cousin, D., her husband was killed in a car accident last night. Our family is very close. I grew up with her being more like a sister than a cousin.
Please pray for D. she now has 2 teenagers, a baby, and a house to care for.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The same answer
I asked for an answer to solve the conflict in my mind.
How can I believe when I don't understand? When I don't understand the motive behind the action or the intention behind the word, how can I trust?
How can I believe when I don't understand? When I don't understand the motive behind the action or the intention behind the word, how can I trust?
The answer is the same as always.
Love. Love first. Love persistently.
Love. Love first. Love persistently.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
INVENTORY OF CONVICTIONS THAT GOD HAS BUILT INTO MY LIFE
Singleness is a gift to be honored, appreciated, capitalized upon. Jesus had it his entire life. Paul, the apostle had it and thought so much of it that he wished everyone had it. It offers unique advantages over being married that unmarried people have a responsibility to utilize to their greatest effect.
Every authority is appointed by God. God uses authorities to protect and provide for me. God requires me to obey and honor every authority in my life, familial, governmental, ecclesiastical, spiritual, and otherwise. I am currently learning that this may also include cultural.
Building and maintaining relationships characterized by love is always the main goal in any endeavor. While it is easier to achieve when all parties concerned share this same goal, my aim to achieve it does not change even if I am the only one in the relationship working towards that goal.
God is my Father more than He is my Master. My Father is good. My Father loves me. He can be trusted.
Every authority is appointed by God. God uses authorities to protect and provide for me. God requires me to obey and honor every authority in my life, familial, governmental, ecclesiastical, spiritual, and otherwise. I am currently learning that this may also include cultural.
Building and maintaining relationships characterized by love is always the main goal in any endeavor. While it is easier to achieve when all parties concerned share this same goal, my aim to achieve it does not change even if I am the only one in the relationship working towards that goal.
God is my Father more than He is my Master. My Father is good. My Father loves me. He can be trusted.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Don't be afriad to shine
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
-Nelson Mandela
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Just for a smile
I read this comic at the Web Parish blog and thought that it was funny enough to share. To enlarge the image, just click it.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Worshipper
To look long upon your loveliness
And be amazed.
Inspired to eschew lesser things
Not worthy of you.
And be amazed.
Inspired to eschew lesser things
Not worthy of you.
- The Worshipper
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Faith follows focus
This is a sermon in development. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to make the point clearer, or even if you think I'm making the wrong point entirely.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the father, and i will do whatever you ask in my name, because the Son wants to bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it."
The issue isn't whether or not God is willing, it is whether I am willing to believe him. Now, this isn't a matter of me working myself into a fit of frenzy which will enable me to deny reality so i can have faith. Rather, faith follows focus.
This is most dramatically seen in romantic relationships. Think about a friend of yours. Someone who is hooked up with a guy or girl that doesn't seem right for them. They seem like they get on each others nerves and never agree. Your friend often confides in you how distressed they are about this relationship, but for some reason, they hold on. See, your friend is convinced that this will work. They Just know that if they hold on something will change. They have come to believe in this relationship because they have invested the time and effort imagining how good this can be. They have exalted this person in their minds to the point that they just know that all of the heartache will be worth it just to finally be able to have a good relationship with this person.
So, it is possible to come to believe in something just by keeping your focus on that thing. This thing will become a reality in your own mind and heart even if it is just your imagination or emotions getting the better of you. The difference between faith and believing in something just from your imagination or emotions is that faith is faith in God, his character and his promises as revealed by Scripture. You will grow in faith as you narrow in focus on these things.
This reveals the true danger of doing doubtful and sinful things. They distract us from focusing on God and we focus on our fears, our lusts, our status. When the time comes where we need to believe, then we may find that we can't. We can hope in God, but we can't believe from our heart. Our heart has been meditating elsewhere.
The promise stands that if we will believe, having faith in Jesus, He will accomplish that which we ask for in His name. Are you willing to believe? It will probably take more than a rote repetition of prayer. It will take a lifestyle of ever narrowed focus on living in light of the character and promises of God. This is what means to be a disciple.
So, are you willing to focus on Jesus, His character, His purpose, and His promise to develop the faith that it takes to believe from the heart?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the father, and i will do whatever you ask in my name, because the Son wants to bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it."
-John 14:12-14
The issue isn't whether or not God is willing, it is whether I am willing to believe him. Now, this isn't a matter of me working myself into a fit of frenzy which will enable me to deny reality so i can have faith. Rather, faith follows focus.
This is most dramatically seen in romantic relationships. Think about a friend of yours. Someone who is hooked up with a guy or girl that doesn't seem right for them. They seem like they get on each others nerves and never agree. Your friend often confides in you how distressed they are about this relationship, but for some reason, they hold on. See, your friend is convinced that this will work. They Just know that if they hold on something will change. They have come to believe in this relationship because they have invested the time and effort imagining how good this can be. They have exalted this person in their minds to the point that they just know that all of the heartache will be worth it just to finally be able to have a good relationship with this person.
So, it is possible to come to believe in something just by keeping your focus on that thing. This thing will become a reality in your own mind and heart even if it is just your imagination or emotions getting the better of you. The difference between faith and believing in something just from your imagination or emotions is that faith is faith in God, his character and his promises as revealed by Scripture. You will grow in faith as you narrow in focus on these things.
This reveals the true danger of doing doubtful and sinful things. They distract us from focusing on God and we focus on our fears, our lusts, our status. When the time comes where we need to believe, then we may find that we can't. We can hope in God, but we can't believe from our heart. Our heart has been meditating elsewhere.
The promise stands that if we will believe, having faith in Jesus, He will accomplish that which we ask for in His name. Are you willing to believe? It will probably take more than a rote repetition of prayer. It will take a lifestyle of ever narrowed focus on living in light of the character and promises of God. This is what means to be a disciple.
So, are you willing to focus on Jesus, His character, His purpose, and His promise to develop the faith that it takes to believe from the heart?
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