Theological Term Of The Day

Sovereignty

The right of God to do as He wishes (Psalm 50:1; Isaiah 40:15; 1 Tim. 6:15) with His creation. This implies that there is no external influence upon Him and that He also has the ability to exercise His power and control according to His will.

Source: carm.org

Theological Term Of The Day

Sovereignty

The right of God to do as He wishes (Psalm 50:1; Isaiah 40:15; 1 Tim. 6:15) with His creation. This implies that there is no external influence upon Him and that He also has the ability to exercise His power and control according to His will.

Source: carm.org

Looking Forward

Here are some things I'm looking forward to in the coming days.

1. Our denominational gathering of ministers June 29-July 2. This will be the eleventh year that I've enjoyed this short retreat for pastors. This year's speaker will be Hubert Nolen from Brookville Road Community Church. I'm also looking forward to defending my title in the golf tournament.

2. Mid July our family will be traveling to Jackson Hole, WY for a vacation. From my understanding, our cabin will have a great view of the Grand Tetons.

3. I'm looking forward to our annual church picnic and baptism on Sunday July 26. Watching people make public professions of their faith through baptism always thrills me.

4. I'm looking forward to the immanent return of Christ. I'd love it if he would come back before you even get done reading this sentence. There's no place I'd rather be than spending eternity with Christ.

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thess. 4:15-17

Looking Forward

Here are some things I'm looking forward to in the coming days.

1. Our denominational gathering of ministers June 29-July 2. This will be the eleventh year that I've enjoyed this short retreat for pastors. This year's speaker will be Hubert Nolen from Brookville Road Community Church. I'm also looking forward to defending my title in the golf tournament.

2. Mid July our family will be traveling to Jackson Hole, WY for a vacation. From my understanding, our cabin will have a great view of the Grand Tetons.

3. I'm looking forward to our annual church picnic and baptism on Sunday July 26. Watching people make public professions of their faith through baptism always thrills me.

4. I'm looking forward to the immanent return of Christ. I'd love it if he would come back before you even get done reading this sentence. There's no place I'd rather be than spending eternity with Christ.

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thess. 4:15-17

Change and Healthy Conflict

In his book on leadership Pastor Mark Driscoll writes, "Implementing anything from this chapter so that your church can be healthy and grow like healthy things are supposed to will require change. This means that no mater what, there will be conflict. Rather than avoiding conflict with people to instead have conflict with Jesus for failing to do what he tells you to, you will just need to accept that a good church fight is bound to happen if you want to change things. The key is to always remember that the church is a family, and so we fight with one another like every good family does, not as enemies, but knowing that we love each other."

Please note: the context of the chapter was in regard to theological correctness. Not a church fight over ridiculous things like whether the toilet paper in the restroom should go over the top or underneath.

Change and Healthy Conflict

In his book on leadership Pastor Mark Driscoll writes, "Implementing anything from this chapter so that your church can be healthy and grow like healthy things are supposed to will require change. This means that no mater what, there will be conflict. Rather than avoiding conflict with people to instead have conflict with Jesus for failing to do what he tells you to, you will just need to accept that a good church fight is bound to happen if you want to change things. The key is to always remember that the church is a family, and so we fight with one another like every good family does, not as enemies, but knowing that we love each other."

Please note: the context of the chapter was in regard to theological correctness. Not a church fight over ridiculous things like whether the toilet paper in the restroom should go over the top or underneath.

New Blogger

If you haven't done so yet, check out the latest FFC blogger... Amanda Funk.

If you are aware of someone from FFC that I'm missing in my links, be sure to let me know.

New Blogger

If you haven't done so yet, check out the latest FFC blogger... Amanda Funk.

If you are aware of someone from FFC that I'm missing in my links, be sure to let me know.

New Friend

Say hello to my new friend...

After years of talking about getting a Mac, I finally made the move. So far I am enjoying getting to know my new friend. Here's the line I had to stand in to have the privilege of forking over lots of dough to Apple (this is after the line had shrunk considerably; see my very happy expression :) There was another line on the other side of this door that you can't see in the picture - that was the line if you wanted the new IPhone 3Gs.

New Friend

Say hello to my new friend...

After years of talking about getting a Mac, I finally made the move. So far I am enjoying getting to know my new friend. Here's the line I had to stand in to have the privilege of forking over lots of dough to Apple (this is after the line had shrunk considerably; see my very happy expression :) There was another line on the other side of this door that you can't see in the picture - that was the line if you wanted the new IPhone 3Gs.

Happy Father's Day!

Just a quick shout out to all the dads out there. Mad props to you Pops! You play such an important roll in the life of your children and your spouse. You have the power to completely destroy or completely bless your family with your: words, actions, character, prayers, time, etc...

I've had the blessing of being raised in a home with a father who invested wisely in his children and it has paid off great dividends in our lives. I am fortunate to have a great example of a loving Christian father.

Happy Father's Day - Dr. Steven Sorensen, from your boy...

Happy Father's Day!

Just a quick shout out to all the dads out there. Mad props to you Pops! You play such an important roll in the life of your children and your spouse. You have the power to completely destroy or completely bless your family with your: words, actions, character, prayers, time, etc...

I've had the blessing of being raised in a home with a father who invested wisely in his children and it has paid off great dividends in our lives. I am fortunate to have a great example of a loving Christian father.

Happy Father's Day - Dr. Steven Sorensen, from your boy...

Pine Nut Farmers

I think I know why these pine nuts are $5.78 for a 5 measly ounces. The reason is: the pine nut farmers have to wrestle little squirrels for each pine nut - one at a time. The squirrels put up a pretty good fight leaving the pine nut farmer battered and bloody - hence they cost $1.16 per ounce.

Pine Nut Farmers

I think I know why these pine nuts are $5.78 for a 5 measly ounces. The reason is: the pine nut farmers have to wrestle little squirrels for each pine nut - one at a time. The squirrels put up a pretty good fight leaving the pine nut farmer battered and bloody - hence they cost $1.16 per ounce.

Duct Taping the Church Bus

If you will recall, Pink and I have been having a good time with the church bus. According to "code" a church bus cannot be yellow and we are too cheap to paint it... solution... duct tape! Soon the bus will be duct taped from top to bottom with the Teshuva (meaning return/repent) theme colors. The youth group (Teshuva) will be assisting with this soon, but Pink and I wanted to test it out...

Duct Taping the Church Bus

If you will recall, Pink and I have been having a good time with the church bus. According to "code" a church bus cannot be yellow and we are too cheap to paint it... solution... duct tape! Soon the bus will be duct taped from top to bottom with the Teshuva (meaning return/repent) theme colors. The youth group (Teshuva) will be assisting with this soon, but Pink and I wanted to test it out...

Decisions Decisions

Decisions Decisions

Here Birdy Birdy

Kris terrorizing a bird in the church parking lot...

Here Birdy Birdy

Kris terrorizing a bird in the church parking lot...

Here Kitty Kitty

Shelby, Tammy, and Caedmon terrorizing the cats at PetsMart... =)

Here Kitty Kitty

Shelby, Tammy, and Caedmon terrorizing the cats at PetsMart... =)

Innovative Products

HT: David Goodwin

Innovative Products

HT: David Goodwin

Pastoral Statistics

I'm so thankful for the "call" that God has placed on my life to be a pastor. The role of pastor is a challenging one sometimes, but I can't imagine doing anything else. For 95% of my colleagues in ministry the stress/burden oftentimes becomes too much and they either quit or are fired, check out these statistics...

"Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are: president of the United States, a university chancellor, a hospital CEO, and a church pastor. 

Jimmy Draper, former president of the Lifeway Research Group, notes that for every 20 people who go into the pastorate only one retires from the ministry. Can you name any other profession where there is a 95 percent drop-off rate? Most don’t make it to retirement in the ministry because they are either fired, have a moral failure or just burned out and give up.

Pastors have the second-highest divorce rate of any profession. 48% of them think their job is detrimental to their family’s well-being. Another 46% will experience a burnout or a depression that will make them leave the ministry. 70 % say their self-esteem is lower now than when they started their position."

HT: JD Greear

This is an excellent reminder to pray for the pastors in your life. 

Pastoral Statistics

I'm so thankful for the "call" that God has placed on my life to be a pastor. The role of pastor is a challenging one sometimes, but I can't imagine doing anything else. For 95% of my colleagues in ministry the stress/burden oftentimes becomes too much and they either quit or are fired, check out these statistics...

"Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru, said that the four hardest jobs in America (and not necessarily in order, he added) are: president of the United States, a university chancellor, a hospital CEO, and a church pastor. 

Jimmy Draper, former president of the Lifeway Research Group, notes that for every 20 people who go into the pastorate only one retires from the ministry. Can you name any other profession where there is a 95 percent drop-off rate? Most don’t make it to retirement in the ministry because they are either fired, have a moral failure or just burned out and give up.

Pastors have the second-highest divorce rate of any profession. 48% of them think their job is detrimental to their family’s well-being. Another 46% will experience a burnout or a depression that will make them leave the ministry. 70 % say their self-esteem is lower now than when they started their position."

HT: JD Greear

This is an excellent reminder to pray for the pastors in your life. 

Sacrifice

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Sacrifice

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Bookmarks

I have the best little girl in the world. Last week Shelby asked Tammy and me if she could make bookmarks, take them to the church, receive donations, and give the money to the missions department at church. I told her that I had just learned that some individuals were short the money they needed for our trip to New Orleans in a couple of weeks. Shelby got very excited at the thought of being able to help others go on a mission trip. Shelby went right to work and made 22 bookmarks with different colors and inspirational words like, "faith, love, prayer", etc. Mommy helped her laminate them and she found an Easter basket to have the donations placed in.

Shelby was excited to join me on stage Sunday morning as I told the congregation about her 22 bookmarks and that all of the donations went to help our mission team. The bookmarks were a big hit; all of them were distributed and Shelby raised a total of $208 dollars for our mission team heading to New Orleans on June 14th.

I'm so proud of Shelby for having such a great idea and a heart that beats for missions. Thank you to all those who made a donation to support our team. 

Bookmarks

I have the best little girl in the world. Last week Shelby asked Tammy and me if she could make bookmarks, take them to the church, receive donations, and give the money to the missions department at church. I told her that I had just learned that some individuals were short the money they needed for our trip to New Orleans in a couple of weeks. Shelby got very excited at the thought of being able to help others go on a mission trip. Shelby went right to work and made 22 bookmarks with different colors and inspirational words like, "faith, love, prayer", etc. Mommy helped her laminate them and she found an Easter basket to have the donations placed in.

Shelby was excited to join me on stage Sunday morning as I told the congregation about her 22 bookmarks and that all of the donations went to help our mission team. The bookmarks were a big hit; all of them were distributed and Shelby raised a total of $208 dollars for our mission team heading to New Orleans on June 14th.

I'm so proud of Shelby for having such a great idea and a heart that beats for missions. Thank you to all those who made a donation to support our team. 

Reminder

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18

Reminder

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18