Here is an link to an audio file with information about the Thanksgiving holiday and marriage in America today. Enjoy!
http://www.albertmohler.com/2009/11/26/the-marriage-index-%e2%80%94-an-idea-whose-time-has-come-2/
Shine On!
Dave
What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?
Check out the link below by Shane Claiborne, founder and leader of The Simple Way in the inner city of Philadelphia.
What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?
Posted using ShareThis
Shine On!
Dave
The Thanksgiving Proclamation
Resolution of Congress Nov. 1, 1777
Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God: to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also to smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defence and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success; It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that at one time and with one voice the good people may express the grateful feeling of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favour, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessing on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all human blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labour of the husbandman, that our land may yet yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth “in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
And it is further recommended, that servile labour, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.
Shine On!
Dave
Five Common Vision Casting Mistakes
Posted by maclake | Posted in Leadership, Vision | Posted on 23-11-2009
Strong vision casting is absolutely essential for moving an organization toward the fulfillment of it’s mission. That’s why leaders must be consistent in casting a convincing and compelling picture of the future. But sometimes when we actually open our mouths to cast vision we’re prone to some common mistakes. Here are five to consider as you think about your next vision casting opportunity.
MISTAKE #1 Too Much Information – While it’s important for you to know the details of the vision don’t feel like you have to share ALL the details with everyone. When you share too much information you can actually dampen enthusiasm rather than inspire following. Rule of thumb: The bigger the audience the fewer the details you need to share. You can let them know there is a strategic plan, just don’t feel like you have to share the step by step details with the large crowd.
MISTAKE #2 Emotionless Presentation- There is nothing worse than casting vision in a monotone voice. You may not have a charismatic personality but you can still find a way to enthusiastically express your vision through your personality. You have to cast vision with passion or others wont be convinced that you’re convinced.
MISTAKE #3 Credit Hog – it’s always tempting for a leader to take full credit for the vision. But when we shine the light on ourselves we take the light off of the vision. Rule of Thumb: When casting vision use the word “we” more than “I”. Show the listener(s) how they fit into the vision.
MISTAKE #4 Trigger Happy – You may have a great vision but if you cast it at the wrong time you may do more damage than good. For example if you’re new in the role remember this principle: People buy into the visionary before they buy into the vision. Take the time to do the relational groundwork, build your credibility, demonstrate authenticity, give people time to know you as well as know your vision. Take time to get key influencers behind and bought into the vision before casting it from a big platform.
MISTAKE #5 Unbelievable – Sometimes leaders cast a vision that’s so big that the average person just can’t grasp it. Rule of thumb: the more previous success you’ve had the bigger the vision you can cast. Our senior pastor Greg Surratt is one of the biggest visionaries I’ve known. I always jokingly say he thinks with more zeros’ on the end than I do. But his previous successes from years past allow him to cast a much bigger vision today.
Shine On!
Dave
Visitors wanted
I love visiting…especially churches. I’ve been to 16 countries and almost 40 states and I’ve visited churches in almost everyone of those places. Here’s what I know…
Details matter. Things like video quality, sound levels, flow of the service, use of the Bible, welcoming by
those who are members, is the bathroom clean and the child care area looking awesome.
First impressions happen within the first 10-15 minutes. By the time the service is over it’s too late.
Truth, together with transparency, will real me in every time.
I can tell if it’s too homie or if they are really trying to be what God wants.
Music matters – no matter what style it has to be well done.
If you’re visiting this week…notice what’s going on at church, you just might be the one who notices something that is keeping others from becoming a part of your faith community.
Shine On!
Dave
Psalm 139
“There is nothing-no circumstance, no trouble, no testing-that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God, past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment. But, as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift my eyes to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstances will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is. That is the rest of victory.” -Alan Redpath, Leader Enterprises, Inc.
Shine On!
Dave
The Price of Prop. 8
This article is from the Pennsylvania For Marriage’s latest newsletter.
Supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at least one death threat, and gross expressions of anti-religious bigotry. Arguments for same-sex marriage are based fundamentally on the idea that limiting marriage to the union of husband and wife is a form of bigotry, irrational prejudice, and even hatred against homosexual persons. As this ideology seeps into the culture more generally, individuals and institutions that support marriage as the union of husband and wife risk paying a price for that belief in many legal, social, economic, and cultural contexts. Read more…http://www.heritage.org/research/family/bg2328.cfm
I believe all people should be treated fairly and equally. This issue is showing an ugly side and is down right scary.
Shine On!
Dave
The Month Before Christmas
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas – no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday’.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas – was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas; it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your ‘Dream Tree’
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
Please, all Christians join together and wish everyone you meet during the holidays a MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason for the Christ-mas Season!
Shine On!
Dave
Fifteen ways to know your church is dying
Hey Everyone,
Perry Noble posted these today so I thought I’d pass them along. Enjoy!
#1 – When excuses are made about the way things are instead of embracing a willingness to roll up the sleeves and fix the problem.
#2 – When the church becomes content with merely receiving people that come rather than actually going out and finding them…in other words, they lose their passion for evangelism!
#3 – The focus of the church is to build a great church (complete with the pastors picture…and his wife’s…on everything) and not the Kingdom of God.
#4 – The leadership begins to settle for the natural rather than rely on the supernatural.
#5 – The church begins to view success/failure in regards to how they are viewed in the church world rather than whether or not they are actually fulfilling the Great Commission!
#6 – The leaders within the church cease to be coachable.
#7 – There is a loss of a sense of urgency! (Hell is no longer hot, sin is no longer wrong and the cross is no longer important!)
#8 – Scripture isn’t central in every decision that is made!
#9 – The church is reactive rather than proactive.
#10 – The people in the church lose sight of the next generation and refuse to fund ministry simply because they don’t understand “those young people.”
#11 – The goal of the church is to simply maintain the way things are…to NOT rock the boat and/or upset anyone…especially the big givers!
#12 – The church is no longer willing to take steps of faith because “there is just too much to lose.”
#13 – The church simply does not care about the obvious and immediate needs that exist in the community.
#14 – The people learn how to depend on one man to minister to everyone rather than everyone embracing their role in the body, thus allowing the body to care for itself.
#15 – When the leaders/staff refuse to go the extra mile in leading and serving because of how “inconvenient” doing so would be.
Shine On!
Dave
