From the book "Money, Possessions, and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn:
Will we remember our lives and relationships on earth? Of course. (We'll be smarter in heaven, not dumber!) Remembrance is important to God, which is why the heavenly city has memorials of people and events of earth (Revelation 21:12-14). It's also why God keeps in heaven "a scroll of remembrance," written in God's presence, "concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name" (Malachi 3:16). The pain of the past will be gone. But memories of being together in the trenches, walking with Christ, and experiencing intimate times with family and friends will remain.
What do you think heaven will be like?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Understanding Leadership
From the book, "Understanding Leadership" by Tom Marshall:
The importance of remembering lies in our tendency to absolutize the present. If things are going well, I may blithely assume they will always be like that and fall into presumption or carelessness. If things are going badly, I can easily feel they will always be like that and fall into despair. Therefore, in the good times we probably need to remember the bad times and certainly in the bad times we need encouragement of rehearsing the good times.
In your need, turn towards the body for its prayers.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
The importance of remembering lies in our tendency to absolutize the present. If things are going well, I may blithely assume they will always be like that and fall into presumption or carelessness. If things are going badly, I can easily feel they will always be like that and fall into despair. Therefore, in the good times we probably need to remember the bad times and certainly in the bad times we need encouragement of rehearsing the good times.
In your need, turn towards the body for its prayers.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Friday, February 13, 2009
Celebrate Wins!!
This blog post reminds us to celebrate wins.
from GaryLamb.org by Gary
This morning as I left the gym, I had an email Libby had sent to our staff from a first time guest this past Sunday. In the email they were thanking us for our BRINGING SEXY BACK series and for doing church the way we do it. They shared some other private things about how God was working in their lives and it was a GREAT way to start the day.
It reminded me the importance of Celebrating Wins. Ministry is a thankless job. If you do this gig for the money, for the hours, for the lack of stress or because you think working in a church is easy you will VERY quickly not want to be in ministry anymore.
However every time I hear of someone giving their life to Christ, a marriage being restored, an addict getting cleaned up, etc. it REMINDS me why my family has given their lives to doing what we do. At Revolution, we are very intentional about sharing stories of life change with each other. We forward emails, share stories, and are continually letting each other know how God is working in our various ministry areas.
If you are a church leader, I would encourage you to make sure you’re celebrating wins with your teams. This is what keeps our people going. Our set-up crews don’t get up at 4:30 a.m. to set up a building because they have nothing else to do, they do it because they know it helps lives be changed. If we never share stories with them how would they know?
I think leaders we tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive. Today share with your teams a win that is happening in your ministry area. You’ll see the difference in their attitude on Sunday because of it.
from GaryLamb.org by Gary
This morning as I left the gym, I had an email Libby had sent to our staff from a first time guest this past Sunday. In the email they were thanking us for our BRINGING SEXY BACK series and for doing church the way we do it. They shared some other private things about how God was working in their lives and it was a GREAT way to start the day.
It reminded me the importance of Celebrating Wins. Ministry is a thankless job. If you do this gig for the money, for the hours, for the lack of stress or because you think working in a church is easy you will VERY quickly not want to be in ministry anymore.
However every time I hear of someone giving their life to Christ, a marriage being restored, an addict getting cleaned up, etc. it REMINDS me why my family has given their lives to doing what we do. At Revolution, we are very intentional about sharing stories of life change with each other. We forward emails, share stories, and are continually letting each other know how God is working in our various ministry areas.
If you are a church leader, I would encourage you to make sure you’re celebrating wins with your teams. This is what keeps our people going. Our set-up crews don’t get up at 4:30 a.m. to set up a building because they have nothing else to do, they do it because they know it helps lives be changed. If we never share stories with them how would they know?
I think leaders we tend to focus on the negative instead of the positive. Today share with your teams a win that is happening in your ministry area. You’ll see the difference in their attitude on Sunday because of it.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Understanding Leadership
I'm reading the book "Understanding Leadership" by Tom Marshall and thought this quote was applicable to the Power in Remembering blog.
It is at the extremeties of our strength that we run into God's strength...Past deliverance gives secure grounds for future hope. In the bad times, remember the good times. Paul is emphasizing the importance of recall - remembering our past experiences of God's faithfulness and intervening mercy. The prophets of Israel were always doing this. In the darkest days they rehearsed again and again God's saving acts. Remember how he delivered us from Egypt. Remember how he opened the Red Sea. Remember how he fed us on manna and brought water out of the rock. Remember. Remember.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)
It is at the extremeties of our strength that we run into God's strength...Past deliverance gives secure grounds for future hope. In the bad times, remember the good times. Paul is emphasizing the importance of recall - remembering our past experiences of God's faithfulness and intervening mercy. The prophets of Israel were always doing this. In the darkest days they rehearsed again and again God's saving acts. Remember how he delivered us from Egypt. Remember how he opened the Red Sea. Remember how he fed us on manna and brought water out of the rock. Remember. Remember.
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Remembering the important things
After finishing my last post on new year's resolutions in the month of February, I looked at the next topic on my page and recognized what a possible resolution could be. Are you good at remembering the important things, or do you spend most of your time running from one place to the next, trying to get the most urgent things done, never stopping to look at the big picture? As I think about the important things in life, I think about what God has told us is important, which is found in the Bible. There are a lot of ways to soak up the Bible. A lot of people decide they are going to read through the Bible in one year. This usually starts on January 1 and ends around January 6th or 7th. I'm not saying this is wrong, but how can we provide the lasting importance of reading or memorizing scripture? Here is a fun way to memorize scripture that my mom sent me...
Scriptures From A to Z
A Cure for Sleeplessness
Marian Groen
Directions: Quote these scriptures when you have difficulty sleeping. You will fall asleep before reaching the end of the alphabet. The devil would rather have you sleep than quote scripture. Scriptures are from the New King James Version
A-And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
B-Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
C-Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
D-Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
E-Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
F-For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
G-Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38.
H-Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35
I-In All your ways, acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6
J-Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
K-Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
L-Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1
M-My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
N-Nor is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
O-Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
P-Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Q-Quench not the Spirit. I Thessalonians 5:19
R-Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
S-Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6.
T-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
U-Unto You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Psalms 25:1-2
V-Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:3
W-Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Proverbs 30:5
X-Xalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool-He is holy. Psalm 99:5
Y-You are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:13
Z- Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. Psalm 97:8
Scriptures From A to Z
A Cure for Sleeplessness
Marian Groen
Directions: Quote these scriptures when you have difficulty sleeping. You will fall asleep before reaching the end of the alphabet. The devil would rather have you sleep than quote scripture. Scriptures are from the New King James Version
A-And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
B-Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
C-Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
D-Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
E-Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
F-For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes on Him, should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
G-Give and it will be given to you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38.
H-Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35
I-In All your ways, acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6
J-Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
K-Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
L-Let not your heart be troubled, you believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1
M-My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
N-Nor is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
O-Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
P-Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
Q-Quench not the Spirit. I Thessalonians 5:19
R-Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4
S-Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6.
T-Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
U-Unto You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; Let me not be ashamed; Let not my enemies triumph over me. Psalms 25:1-2
V-Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. John 3:3
W-Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Proverbs 30:5
X-Xalt the Lord our God and worship at His footstool-He is holy. Psalm 99:5
Y-You are the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:13
Z- Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, O Lord. Psalm 97:8
Remember your new year's resolutions?
Do you remember your new year's resolutions from one month ago? Are you following through on these resolutions? Isn't it funny that we can forget about our new year's resolutions after one month? I have to admit that I didn't come up with any new year's resolutions for this year. Maybe I should come up with some now. Do you have any ideas for me?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Remembering who has the authority...
Who has the authority in your life?
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Luke 7:8
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Luke 10:19
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:18-19
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
Luke 7:8
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Luke 10:19
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 28:18-19
Remembering who we pray to...
THAT WE PRAY to God in heaven is a reminder that we become part of a large struggle by praying this prayer. The thing between us and Jesus is not merely personal; it's cosmic. The God whom we have been taught by Jesus to address as "our Father" is the one who rules the whole cosmos, who speaks in earthquake, wind, and fire. Any less of a god wouldn't do us much good.
William H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas, Lord Teach Us: The Lord's Prayer and the Christian Life
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/january/31.62.html
William H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas, Lord Teach Us: The Lord's Prayer and the Christian Life
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/january/31.62.html
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Remembering Gary Vermeer
Gary Vermeer, 90, inventor and founder of one of Iowa’s premier farm and construction equipment manufactures died Monday.Pella-based Vermeer Manufacturing grew out of a business that Vermeer and a cousin created in 1948 to manufacture wagon hoists. Vermeer got the idea from neighbors who had to shovel corn out of farm wagons. He invented a hoist that attached to the wagon and would dump an entire load by lifting the front end of the wagon.“His reputation for invention and management is well known,” said Mike Ralston, president of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.Gary Vermeer was 29 when he invented the wagon hoist in 1948. He went on to create a number of other innovations for farm and construction equipment, including the first round hay baler, the first stump cutter and a line of trenching equipment that is now sold worldwide.His motto, which became the title of a family biography last year, was “In Search of a Better Way.”Vermeer retired in 1989 at the age of 70, turning management of the family-owned business over to his son, Robert Vermeer, and daughter, Mary Andringa, who are co-chief executives of Vermeer Manufacturing. Today, the company employs more than 2,000 workers with more than $600 million in sales.The family business has a reputation in Iowa and in the equipment industry as being one of the most efficient, well-run manufacturing operations in the country. Last summer, as part of a 60th anniversary celebration, the company invited writers for farm and construction equipment trade publications from around the world to visit the “Vermeer mile” in Pella, an area on the edge of town where Vermeer manufacturing plants stretch on for a full mile. As part of that tour, the writers were shown how Vermeer has used lean manufacturing techniques to cut costs and save time. One example was the amount of time required to build a wood chipper, one of the company’s signature products. The time required to make one chipper has been slashed from 52 days in 1999 to less than three days today, Andringa told the writers.The family biography, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the family business last summer, noted that Gary Vermeer and his wife, Matilda still live in the same modest home outside Pella that they moved into 55 years ago. It also noted that the couple’s favorite restaurants is McDonald’s.Gary and Matilda Vermeer traveled widely, circumventing the globe on three separate trips. Funeral services are pending at Van Dyke-Duven Funeral Home in Pella.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090202/BUSINESS/90202025/1029/archive
http://www.garyvermeer.com
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090202/BUSINESS/90202025/1029/archive
http://www.garyvermeer.com
Remembering Pat Tillman
Tillman's spirit very alive at Super Bowl
By Jennifer Waters, MarketWatch
Last update: 8:28 p.m. EST Feb. 1, 2009
TAMPA (MarketWatch) - Pat Tillman wasn't at Raymond James Stadium for Sunday's 43rd annual Super Bowl, but his spirit was very much alive here.
Among the Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin jerseys that Arizona Cardinals fans were donning were a noticeable number of red-and-white shirts bearing Tillman's No. 40.
"He's the man," said Tom Rector of Phoenix, who has been wearing his Tillman jersey since 2002, the last year that the Cardinals safety played in the NFL. "He's a hero. Everyone else is a professional athlete or role model, but Tillman's a hero."
Tillman's football record isn't as impressive as his life record, which gained star status when he gave up a $3.6 million football contract to enlist in the Army's elite Rangers after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Three years later, the 27-year-old was killed in Afghanistan in friendly fire. The incident became controversial after it was discovered that the Army covered up that Tillman was killed by fellow soldiers in the confusion of battle.
"To give that up for the country is just an amazing thing," said Scottsdale, Ariz., resident Glenn Allbritton, who bought his jersey through the Pat Tillman Foundation. "I'll do anything to help support his memory and help his foundation."
Tillman is still an institution on the practice field and around the Cardinal locker room. where his picture prominently hangs. There's a bigger-than-life-sized statue of him at the Cardinals' home field at the University of Phoenix.
"He felt like he didn't do enough in his life to warrant the type of credit he's been getting," Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson said last week. Wilson is one of only two players left on the roster who played with Tillman. "To make a life decision like that and to make a change like that, I think it really speaks volumes of his character."
The Cardinals have retired Tillman's number and have placed his name in their Ring of Honor. They've also dedicated the Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza that surrounds the stadium.
"If people just understood what it means to give up your life for your country," said Peoria, Ariz., resident Pat Kling, whose husband served in the Vietnam War. "Pat Tillman understood what it meant.
"This game is for him," she added. "I just know he's here watching us."
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7BB1F4CE52%2DFEC4%2D40B6%2D80E9%2D255341582E76%7D&siteid=rss
By Jennifer Waters, MarketWatch
Last update: 8:28 p.m. EST Feb. 1, 2009
TAMPA (MarketWatch) - Pat Tillman wasn't at Raymond James Stadium for Sunday's 43rd annual Super Bowl, but his spirit was very much alive here.
Among the Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin jerseys that Arizona Cardinals fans were donning were a noticeable number of red-and-white shirts bearing Tillman's No. 40.
"He's the man," said Tom Rector of Phoenix, who has been wearing his Tillman jersey since 2002, the last year that the Cardinals safety played in the NFL. "He's a hero. Everyone else is a professional athlete or role model, but Tillman's a hero."
Tillman's football record isn't as impressive as his life record, which gained star status when he gave up a $3.6 million football contract to enlist in the Army's elite Rangers after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Three years later, the 27-year-old was killed in Afghanistan in friendly fire. The incident became controversial after it was discovered that the Army covered up that Tillman was killed by fellow soldiers in the confusion of battle.
"To give that up for the country is just an amazing thing," said Scottsdale, Ariz., resident Glenn Allbritton, who bought his jersey through the Pat Tillman Foundation. "I'll do anything to help support his memory and help his foundation."
Tillman is still an institution on the practice field and around the Cardinal locker room. where his picture prominently hangs. There's a bigger-than-life-sized statue of him at the Cardinals' home field at the University of Phoenix.
"He felt like he didn't do enough in his life to warrant the type of credit he's been getting," Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson said last week. Wilson is one of only two players left on the roster who played with Tillman. "To make a life decision like that and to make a change like that, I think it really speaks volumes of his character."
The Cardinals have retired Tillman's number and have placed his name in their Ring of Honor. They've also dedicated the Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza that surrounds the stadium.
"If people just understood what it means to give up your life for your country," said Peoria, Ariz., resident Pat Kling, whose husband served in the Vietnam War. "Pat Tillman understood what it meant.
"This game is for him," she added. "I just know he's here watching us."
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7BB1F4CE52%2DFEC4%2D40B6%2D80E9%2D255341582E76%7D&siteid=rss
Remembering God
We remember all or nothing. If we remember all of the bad things, we may blame God. If we remember all of the good things, we may think we don’t need God. We need to be able to talk to others with shared experiences to work through these past experiences to balance the good and bad. We have a biased memory of our past. People suffering from depression only remember the bad. We need an integration of the good and bad in God’s greater narrative. We need to get outside ourselves and seek balance in our lives. Splitting is the psychological term referring to remembering all good or all bad. Regardless of our circumstances, God has the ultimate story.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5)
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:1-5)
Remembering the nooma
What does nooma mean?
The name NOOMA is an English phonetic spelling of the Greek word pneuma, which is commonly translated to “spirit” or “breath”. Pneumatology refers to the study of spiritual beings, particularly the interactions between humans and God.
I received a set of nooma films for Christmas and have really enjoyed them.
Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing somethingright here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. He encouraged his listeners to search, to question, to wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God's work in this world. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in. NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our world from the perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and join the discussion.
http://www.nooma.com
The name NOOMA is an English phonetic spelling of the Greek word pneuma, which is commonly translated to “spirit” or “breath”. Pneumatology refers to the study of spiritual beings, particularly the interactions between humans and God.
I received a set of nooma films for Christmas and have really enjoyed them.
Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing somethingright here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. He encouraged his listeners to search, to question, to wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God's work in this world. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in. NOOMA is a series of short films that explore our world from the perspective of Jesus. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and join the discussion.
http://www.nooma.com
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