For Personal Spiritual Growth:
1. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
2. No Easy Road by Dick Eastman
3. Called & Committed by David Watson
4. No Wonder They Call Him Savior by Max Lucado
5. All of A.W. Tozer’s books especially The Pursuit of God
6. The Navigator by Robert D. Foster (a must read! Life story of Dawson Trotman)
7. The Divine Romance by Gene Edwards
8. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
For Personal Leadership/Life Growth:
1. The Jesus Style by Gayle D. Erwin
2. The Vanguard Leader by Frank Damazio
3. Team Ministry by Dick Iverson
4. When The Giant Lies Down by Dick & Ruth Foth
5. The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham by Harold Myra & Marshall Shelley
6. Disciple by Juan Carlos Ortiz
7. The Oswald J. Smith Treasury (5 little books with different titles)
8. Be The Leader You Were Meant To Be by Leroy Eims
9. The Making of a Christian Leader by Ted W. Engstrom
10. Life is Tremendous (Leadership Is For You) by Charles E. Jones
11. The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims
12. The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
For Marriage and Family:
1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
2. The Strong-Willed Child by James Dobson
3. If Only He Knew: What No Woman Can Resist by Gary Smalley
4. Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
5. The Two Sides of Love by Gary Smalley & John Trent
For Survival and Endurance:
1. Well-Intentioned Dragons by Marshall Shelley
2. Healing for Damaged Emotions David A. Seamands
3. Hang in There…to the Better End (formerly Running the Mid-Night Marathon)by Craig Brian Larson
4. Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back by Charles R. Swindoll
For Church Structure/Growth:
1. Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger
2. The Presence Based Church by Terry Teykl
3. Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero
4. Breaking Down Walls by Raleigh Washington & Glen Kehrein
5. A Drink at Joel’s Place by Jess Moody
6. Re-Thinking the Church by James Emery White
7. Church in the New Testament by Kevin J. Conner
For Miscellaneous Reasons:
1. The Beauty of Spiritual Language by Jack Hayford
2. Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack S. Deere
3. Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
4. With the Word (a devotional commentary) by Warren Wiersbe
5. Afghanistan My Tears by David Leatherberry
Obviously, some of these books are out of print but it would be worth your effort to try and find them. I pray you have some of the greatest experiences of your life and ministry in '09. Please know you are loved and believed in! Always always, Papa G.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Papa G's Top Ten Life Verses!
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (KJV)
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (KJV)
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (KJV)
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. (NKJV)
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (KJV)
Zechariah 4:10a For who has despised the day of small things? (NKJV)
Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts." (NKJV)
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (KJV)
Ezekiel 36:11 will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (NKJV)
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (NIV)
{Below is #11--I’m like the Big Ten University System, they are called the Big Ten but have 11 colleges—go figure!}
Isaiah 41:8-13 But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' (NKJV)
Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (NKJV)
Colossians 2:10a And you are complete in Him,… (NKJV)
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. (NKJV)
Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (NKJV)
And My #1 Favorite Bible Verse that is actually #16 (sorry, I have too many!) that keeps me going is:
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (NKJV)
For my spiritual sons and daughters--may God give you specific words that keep you going! It has been a secret of longevity for me! Love you & believe in you, Papa G.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (KJV)
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (KJV)
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (KJV)
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. (NKJV)
Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (KJV)
Zechariah 4:10a For who has despised the day of small things? (NKJV)
Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts." (NKJV)
Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (KJV)
Ezekiel 36:11 will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. (NKJV)
Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. (NIV)
{Below is #11--I’m like the Big Ten University System, they are called the Big Ten but have 11 colleges—go figure!}
Isaiah 41:8-13 But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' (NKJV)
Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, (NKJV)
Colossians 2:10a And you are complete in Him,… (NKJV)
1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. (NKJV)
Proverbs 24:3-4 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. (NKJV)
And My #1 Favorite Bible Verse that is actually #16 (sorry, I have too many!) that keeps me going is:
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (NKJV)
For my spiritual sons and daughters--may God give you specific words that keep you going! It has been a secret of longevity for me! Love you & believe in you, Papa G.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Christmas...A Season for Mending Relationships
Christmas is a great time to reach out to an unsaved loved one. What better time of year to build a bridge of communication?
My older brother was estranged from our family for a number of years and the holidays were especially hard. Finally reconciliation came and Christmas was right again. Many are facing this holiday without a loved one. Some are estranged from friends or family members because of some argument or blowup that took place years ago. I want to encourage you to take time to reach out and mend relationships this Christmas and begin the New Year on a new footing.
Here are a few suggestions that might be helpful…
● Don’t try to preach—just reach!
It takes some people a while to come to the realization that preaching to their relative who is estranged is not effective. I want to encourage you to reach out and accept your family (in spite of their unsaved lifestyle) then you will begin to the relationship start to rebuild.
● Keep the focus on the future—not the past.
It doesn’t matter really who was right or wrong. Agree to disagree and move ahead. May want to win and lose in the process. Say, “I’m sorry I hurt you”—it validates how the other person feels.
● Don’t expect too much—keep it light.
When relationships have been damaged, or severed as it was in my brother’s case, they need time to be rebuilt again. Start slowly to create a new bond of love and trust. Find common ground—something enjoyable to do together. If your son likes basketball, get tickets to a game. If your daughter enjoys shopping, make a date and go to the mall. If your friend enjoys music, invite them to a concert. There are so many wonderful activities and events to choose from during the Christmas season.
But beware; the ground you are on is shaky at best. Be careful not to bring up sensitive areas from the past. If a sticky subject comes up, simply say, “We are having such a great time, let’s not ruin it by getting into an argument.”
●Pray—it works!
Give it up to God. Even when hope is gone, even when things may appear worse than ever, a breakthrough could be on the horizon. It’s like watching the big hand on a clock. It can seem like it is moving farther away at it makes the circle back to 12:00. But the truth is, after it moves to the farthest point away at 6:00, it begins to draw closer to 12:00 again. We prayed for my brother for over a decade and he was headed in the wrong direction getting farther and farther from God. But our prayer on his behalf brought him back to Jesus!
Christmas is the season of hope. Jesus is the greatest symbol of hope in a hopeless world. Use this holiday season to reach out in love. Begin mending relationships. There is no better time than today!
For my spiritual sons and daughter please know you are loved! If you have unsaved parents or siblings I hope these little suggestions will help you have a better Christmas season.
Papa G.
Here are a few powerful verses that I pray blesses you as you pray for and reach out to a loved one who is not with the Lord this year:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household.” Acts 16:31 NLT
“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” Isaiah 44:3 KJV
My older brother was estranged from our family for a number of years and the holidays were especially hard. Finally reconciliation came and Christmas was right again. Many are facing this holiday without a loved one. Some are estranged from friends or family members because of some argument or blowup that took place years ago. I want to encourage you to take time to reach out and mend relationships this Christmas and begin the New Year on a new footing.
Here are a few suggestions that might be helpful…
● Don’t try to preach—just reach!
It takes some people a while to come to the realization that preaching to their relative who is estranged is not effective. I want to encourage you to reach out and accept your family (in spite of their unsaved lifestyle) then you will begin to the relationship start to rebuild.
● Keep the focus on the future—not the past.
It doesn’t matter really who was right or wrong. Agree to disagree and move ahead. May want to win and lose in the process. Say, “I’m sorry I hurt you”—it validates how the other person feels.
● Don’t expect too much—keep it light.
When relationships have been damaged, or severed as it was in my brother’s case, they need time to be rebuilt again. Start slowly to create a new bond of love and trust. Find common ground—something enjoyable to do together. If your son likes basketball, get tickets to a game. If your daughter enjoys shopping, make a date and go to the mall. If your friend enjoys music, invite them to a concert. There are so many wonderful activities and events to choose from during the Christmas season.
But beware; the ground you are on is shaky at best. Be careful not to bring up sensitive areas from the past. If a sticky subject comes up, simply say, “We are having such a great time, let’s not ruin it by getting into an argument.”
●Pray—it works!
Give it up to God. Even when hope is gone, even when things may appear worse than ever, a breakthrough could be on the horizon. It’s like watching the big hand on a clock. It can seem like it is moving farther away at it makes the circle back to 12:00. But the truth is, after it moves to the farthest point away at 6:00, it begins to draw closer to 12:00 again. We prayed for my brother for over a decade and he was headed in the wrong direction getting farther and farther from God. But our prayer on his behalf brought him back to Jesus!
Christmas is the season of hope. Jesus is the greatest symbol of hope in a hopeless world. Use this holiday season to reach out in love. Begin mending relationships. There is no better time than today!
For my spiritual sons and daughter please know you are loved! If you have unsaved parents or siblings I hope these little suggestions will help you have a better Christmas season.
Papa G.
Here are a few powerful verses that I pray blesses you as you pray for and reach out to a loved one who is not with the Lord this year:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, along with your entire household.” Acts 16:31 NLT
“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” Isaiah 44:3 KJV
Friday, November 28, 2008
Financial Counsel From a Banker!
My younger brother John and his wife Nancy along with our mother, Esther came over tonight for a visit through Sunday afternoon. Already had some great laughs!
Nancy is a banker and I thought a few tips from her would be good for all us. Here are some of her thoughts:
1. The media says there is no money to lend but that is not necessarily true. There are many banks that have money to lend!
2. It is a buyer's market right now which means if you can afford it, now is the time to buy a home or even a small business. You will get your best bang for your buck now.
3. Things are more realistic now because the ‘bubble has burst.’ You are not paying for the bubble any more. In other words homes and properties all over were just too high priced!
4. Pay down all consumer credit! Pay down your autos unless they are zero interest (so that would be last thing to pay off). Start with your highest interest card and work on that big time.
5. You need an emergency fund (slush fund). If you own a home you will have to repair stuff like water heaters, air conditioners and DO NOT BORROW FOR THAT! DO NOT PUT STUFF LIKE THIS ON CREDIT! This is the beginning of the end for people who begin to descend into debt.
6. After you pay stuff off then put that same amount away (ear mark that money!) so when you get ready for a new car (they do wear out!) you can pay for it in cash!
7. Buy end of season stuff and you get incredible deals (sometimes 75% off). NEVER SETTLE FOR FULL PRICE! For example if you have kids buy summer clothes at the end of summer and so on!
8. She thinks Americans will start swapping services more—she thinks we will be bartering & networking more with others. For example a mechanic may do some car work for a CPA who will prepare his taxes for free, etc.
9. With your employer set up a pre-tax flexible spending plan. Take advantage of this if you can. In other words, ask them if they will offer it and look at your out-of-pocket medical expenses including some over-the-counter medicines and then ear-mark that amount to be taken out of your payroll check. You will save some tax money and have more out-of-the pocket money returned. Let’s say it’s $600.00 a year you spend on medicine, etc. Have your employer deduct $50.00 per month pre-tax from payroll. Then they can reimburse you as your expenses come due.
10. Check out this excellent web page “Cheapskate.com”
11. If you need to speak to Nancy you can email her at ngrogan@farmersstate.com
As always, I want you to go farther than me. Love you tons, Papa G.
Nancy is a banker and I thought a few tips from her would be good for all us. Here are some of her thoughts:
1. The media says there is no money to lend but that is not necessarily true. There are many banks that have money to lend!
2. It is a buyer's market right now which means if you can afford it, now is the time to buy a home or even a small business. You will get your best bang for your buck now.
3. Things are more realistic now because the ‘bubble has burst.’ You are not paying for the bubble any more. In other words homes and properties all over were just too high priced!
4. Pay down all consumer credit! Pay down your autos unless they are zero interest (so that would be last thing to pay off). Start with your highest interest card and work on that big time.
5. You need an emergency fund (slush fund). If you own a home you will have to repair stuff like water heaters, air conditioners and DO NOT BORROW FOR THAT! DO NOT PUT STUFF LIKE THIS ON CREDIT! This is the beginning of the end for people who begin to descend into debt.
6. After you pay stuff off then put that same amount away (ear mark that money!) so when you get ready for a new car (they do wear out!) you can pay for it in cash!
7. Buy end of season stuff and you get incredible deals (sometimes 75% off). NEVER SETTLE FOR FULL PRICE! For example if you have kids buy summer clothes at the end of summer and so on!
8. She thinks Americans will start swapping services more—she thinks we will be bartering & networking more with others. For example a mechanic may do some car work for a CPA who will prepare his taxes for free, etc.
9. With your employer set up a pre-tax flexible spending plan. Take advantage of this if you can. In other words, ask them if they will offer it and look at your out-of-pocket medical expenses including some over-the-counter medicines and then ear-mark that amount to be taken out of your payroll check. You will save some tax money and have more out-of-the pocket money returned. Let’s say it’s $600.00 a year you spend on medicine, etc. Have your employer deduct $50.00 per month pre-tax from payroll. Then they can reimburse you as your expenses come due.
10. Check out this excellent web page “Cheapskate.com”
11. If you need to speak to Nancy you can email her at ngrogan@farmersstate.com
As always, I want you to go farther than me. Love you tons, Papa G.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Easier to Gripe Than Give Thanks
I called several absentees today and told them I have been missing them in services, love them, and hope they will come back to services. With the way people travel these days, and miss church for so many entertainment reasons, it is hard to know when to call folks. I usually wait about 4 to 6 weeks.
Excuses for not being in church for over a month went all the way from "I am disappointed the church did not stand up for morals more before the Presidential elections" to "we are getting our house ready to sell and are too busy for services."
Rueven Ross, a dear friend who has ministered in Israel for years, said a long time ago that he thought American Christians were the least prepared for hard times than any other Christians on the planet. He has traveled extensively all over the world and would have a larger perspective than many church folks. I agree with him more now than ever.
It is shocking and amazing how quickly people drop out of fellowship--even members who have agreed to a covenant relationship. Is it any wonder why these types of Christians have little victory in their lives? There is little difference between the fickleness of these types of believers and those who do not attend church. They know little of faithfulness, perseverance, and endurance.
Regardless of these types of heart-aches, any pastor knows this is still a season to give thanks. Here's a quick list of things I am thankful for:
1. My wonderful wife--she is the most stable person I know.
2. My wonderful children and their spouses. I am so thankful they have healthy marriages and are in the ministry.
3. My wonderful, adorable, best in the world grandchildren. I am absolutely crazy about them, would do anything for them and want to be with them every day of my life!
4. A wonderful team of elders, deacons, pastors and staff I work with at Stone Creek Church.
5. The joy of living in a major college town full of world-class citizens.
6. The fact that my mother is still living and I get to see her about every single month. She use to live 14 hours away and now is just on the other side of the state.
7. The wonderful young men and women who call me Papa G, truly love me, and let me share in their lives and ministries.
8. Wayne and Kristi Northup who really got the Papa G. thing going so many years ago!
9. This coming Christmas -- my whole family will be together in Minnesota with my wife’s entire family!
10. For God's blessings and goodness upon my life--He has made me a minister of the Gospel and I have more blessings than I deserve in any life-time.
So my sons and daughters, please make a quick little Thanksgiving list and it will help you be a better person and gripe less!
Love you,
Papa G.
Excuses for not being in church for over a month went all the way from "I am disappointed the church did not stand up for morals more before the Presidential elections" to "we are getting our house ready to sell and are too busy for services."
Rueven Ross, a dear friend who has ministered in Israel for years, said a long time ago that he thought American Christians were the least prepared for hard times than any other Christians on the planet. He has traveled extensively all over the world and would have a larger perspective than many church folks. I agree with him more now than ever.
It is shocking and amazing how quickly people drop out of fellowship--even members who have agreed to a covenant relationship. Is it any wonder why these types of Christians have little victory in their lives? There is little difference between the fickleness of these types of believers and those who do not attend church. They know little of faithfulness, perseverance, and endurance.
Regardless of these types of heart-aches, any pastor knows this is still a season to give thanks. Here's a quick list of things I am thankful for:
1. My wonderful wife--she is the most stable person I know.
2. My wonderful children and their spouses. I am so thankful they have healthy marriages and are in the ministry.
3. My wonderful, adorable, best in the world grandchildren. I am absolutely crazy about them, would do anything for them and want to be with them every day of my life!
4. A wonderful team of elders, deacons, pastors and staff I work with at Stone Creek Church.
5. The joy of living in a major college town full of world-class citizens.
6. The fact that my mother is still living and I get to see her about every single month. She use to live 14 hours away and now is just on the other side of the state.
7. The wonderful young men and women who call me Papa G, truly love me, and let me share in their lives and ministries.
8. Wayne and Kristi Northup who really got the Papa G. thing going so many years ago!
9. This coming Christmas -- my whole family will be together in Minnesota with my wife’s entire family!
10. For God's blessings and goodness upon my life--He has made me a minister of the Gospel and I have more blessings than I deserve in any life-time.
So my sons and daughters, please make a quick little Thanksgiving list and it will help you be a better person and gripe less!
Love you,
Papa G.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Church was fun this weekend!
I am a pastor and I still love church (at least most of the time)! We have five services now it was just flat out fun this last weekend!
One of my spiritual sons, Kevin Foster, was here, and I did a simple introduction to the message while he did a super message on "Staying Together." You can hear it on our website at www.stonecreekwired.com. We had 21 committments to the Lord. It is good to be reminded that church can be fun. Here's what I liked:
1. Good healthy attendance!
2. Worship was engergetic & awesome! I connected to God in wonderful times of praise of worship.
3. Listening to one of my spiritual sons minister with maturity and effectiveness brought me such incredible joy.
4. Being able to evaluate the whole meeting & message after the Saturday evening service with a great team is so healthy.
5. Good healthy offerings!
6. People were very responsive!
7. There was such a feeling of momentum toward spiritual growth and outreach!
8. Watching volunteers making healthy ministry decisions on the spot about who should serve where and what needed to be done! Oh, that is pure joy!
9. The content of the sermon was absolutely excellent!
10. We baptized a bunch of people after the last service, and the atmosphere was electric! Water baptism NEVER gets old--it is one of the most fun times of ministry as far as I'm concerned. Watching another one of my spiritual sons, Ricky Spindler, run the water baptism was pure joy too!
So let's keep living our dreams and having fun! If you know me, you know FUN is a big part of my life. I like to practice party theology! Jesus did this with Matthew after his conversion, so let's be like Jesus!
Papa G.
One of my spiritual sons, Kevin Foster, was here, and I did a simple introduction to the message while he did a super message on "Staying Together." You can hear it on our website at www.stonecreekwired.com. We had 21 committments to the Lord. It is good to be reminded that church can be fun. Here's what I liked:
1. Good healthy attendance!
2. Worship was engergetic & awesome! I connected to God in wonderful times of praise of worship.
3. Listening to one of my spiritual sons minister with maturity and effectiveness brought me such incredible joy.
4. Being able to evaluate the whole meeting & message after the Saturday evening service with a great team is so healthy.
5. Good healthy offerings!
6. People were very responsive!
7. There was such a feeling of momentum toward spiritual growth and outreach!
8. Watching volunteers making healthy ministry decisions on the spot about who should serve where and what needed to be done! Oh, that is pure joy!
9. The content of the sermon was absolutely excellent!
10. We baptized a bunch of people after the last service, and the atmosphere was electric! Water baptism NEVER gets old--it is one of the most fun times of ministry as far as I'm concerned. Watching another one of my spiritual sons, Ricky Spindler, run the water baptism was pure joy too!
So let's keep living our dreams and having fun! If you know me, you know FUN is a big part of my life. I like to practice party theology! Jesus did this with Matthew after his conversion, so let's be like Jesus!
Papa G.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Hanging Out!
Hanging out with some staff at our house--eating, watching Amazing Race--Jamie Kemp, former Jr. High Youth Pastor @ Naperville, IL Calvary is here with us. Jamie & Tosha are itenerating for missionary ministry among youth and children in the great country of Indonesia.
I want to interview Jamie now and find out what life is like for a young couple trying to raise their funds to go into missions. Plus they are having a baby in February!
Let's see how this Q & A works:
1. Q: How long been on road now? A: Into 11th month.
2. Q: How much of your budget raised? A: About 75% got to get to 90% by Christmas so we can get out of here by April.
3. Q: About how many land miles have you driven? A: Over 35,000 miles and this morning we visited church #83!
4. Q: Got a baby named picked out yet? A: Keeping it a secret until the birth!
5. Q: Do pastors treat you pretty good? A: 99% of pastors treat us great. 1 or 2 have treated me like a begger.
6. Q: What are some things that have happened in these 11 months? A: Seeing how every church is so "different" (draw your own conclusions of that!). Most churches are seeker insensitive!
7. Q: Tell me a funny inteneration story (this is a set-up because I've heard it before)! A: In a service where a guy owned the front row & 'fell over' and cracked his head on the corner of a pew. It bled real bad & I went to help but I was rebuked & they said, 'When he's like this, let him be, so God can finish His work on in.' But I insisted they take him to the hospital--after a considerable amount of blood loss they finally agreed & he returned to the church after the service with four stitches! [You check Jamie's web site out at www.jamieandtasha.com
Well, let's end on that high note. I can hear my sons and daughters laughing right now. Enjoy the moment and remember I love you tons and want you to go farther than I ever have!
Papa G.
I want to interview Jamie now and find out what life is like for a young couple trying to raise their funds to go into missions. Plus they are having a baby in February!
Let's see how this Q & A works:
1. Q: How long been on road now? A: Into 11th month.
2. Q: How much of your budget raised? A: About 75% got to get to 90% by Christmas so we can get out of here by April.
3. Q: About how many land miles have you driven? A: Over 35,000 miles and this morning we visited church #83!
4. Q: Got a baby named picked out yet? A: Keeping it a secret until the birth!
5. Q: Do pastors treat you pretty good? A: 99% of pastors treat us great. 1 or 2 have treated me like a begger.
6. Q: What are some things that have happened in these 11 months? A: Seeing how every church is so "different" (draw your own conclusions of that!). Most churches are seeker insensitive!
7. Q: Tell me a funny inteneration story (this is a set-up because I've heard it before)! A: In a service where a guy owned the front row & 'fell over' and cracked his head on the corner of a pew. It bled real bad & I went to help but I was rebuked & they said, 'When he's like this, let him be, so God can finish His work on in.' But I insisted they take him to the hospital--after a considerable amount of blood loss they finally agreed & he returned to the church after the service with four stitches! [You check Jamie's web site out at www.jamieandtasha.com
Well, let's end on that high note. I can hear my sons and daughters laughing right now. Enjoy the moment and remember I love you tons and want you to go farther than I ever have!
Papa G.
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