A Parade Magazine poll discovered that 78% of the people surveyed believe that one person can improve the world. But what about the other 22%? You can’t reflect on history for long before you’re reminded of countless people who have improved our world.
If someone sincerely believes they have no chance of improving the world then they also have little reason for hope personally.
God informed Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give a future and a hope.”
If you’re one of those 22% who doubt anyone can make a difference, take hope. God loves you as much as he did Jeremiah. Your life and your work does matter.
Who has made the biggest difference in your life?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Kansas' Hatemonger
Fred Phelps is the pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. For years he’s mocked Jesus’ teaching by picketing funerals and harassing the families of soldiers during their time of grief.
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether Mr. Phelps and his church are responsible for emotional damages to the family of one of the soldiers. Although “free speech” makes this case challenging, God’s Word, however, cuts through the injustice of Mr. Phelps’ actions.
1 John 4:20 teaches, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
How do you think the Supreme Court should rule on this case? If they rule against Mr. Phelps it may impact many well meaning people who want to picket or demonstrate against things they believe strongly in. If they rule in his favor it will allow Mr. Phelps to continue spewing his venom against innocent people. How would you rule?
The Supreme Court will soon decide whether Mr. Phelps and his church are responsible for emotional damages to the family of one of the soldiers. Although “free speech” makes this case challenging, God’s Word, however, cuts through the injustice of Mr. Phelps’ actions.
1 John 4:20 teaches, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.”
How do you think the Supreme Court should rule on this case? If they rule against Mr. Phelps it may impact many well meaning people who want to picket or demonstrate against things they believe strongly in. If they rule in his favor it will allow Mr. Phelps to continue spewing his venom against innocent people. How would you rule?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Church and the Marketplace
Last week at the Mission America conference I experienced a renewed hope that the church may be coming more aware of it's responsibility to equip the saints to be salt and light to the marketplace. For years, I have experienced frustration when I've tried to get some local pastors to realize the importance of equipping and releasing their congregation to impact the marketplace with their God given talents.
My recently deceased friend Pastor LeRoy Sullivan used to say that the church was great at going out and catching fish, to only put them in a fish tank in the middle of the church for everyone to see. Once they were captured the church rarely releases them back into their pond.
This year, however, at the Mission America conference one of the primary themes for city reaching was the marketplace movement. Several speakers did an excellent job of communicating the importance and the need for the church to equip and encourage the saints to be light to their workplace. For many of the pastors in attendance the light bulb went on.
Kansas City was well represented at this conference with many senior pastors in attendance. The highlight of my week was at the end of a very long day when Pastor Charles Briscoe, one of the city fathers of Kansas City, said to me in front of the group. "I have seen your work in the marketplace over the years, and I was touched by what I learned here this week. I want to ask how might I help you move this marketplace movement forward?"
Imagine what would happen if every pastor began taking Paul's edict in Ephesians 4 for the church to equip the saints to shine their light 24/7. I believe our churches would fill up with people being impacted by their co-workers and employers.
What are your experiences? Are you seeing an increase or a decrease in God's move in the marketplace? Do you know pastors who are beginning to teach on faith at work?
My recently deceased friend Pastor LeRoy Sullivan used to say that the church was great at going out and catching fish, to only put them in a fish tank in the middle of the church for everyone to see. Once they were captured the church rarely releases them back into their pond.
This year, however, at the Mission America conference one of the primary themes for city reaching was the marketplace movement. Several speakers did an excellent job of communicating the importance and the need for the church to equip and encourage the saints to be light to their workplace. For many of the pastors in attendance the light bulb went on.
Kansas City was well represented at this conference with many senior pastors in attendance. The highlight of my week was at the end of a very long day when Pastor Charles Briscoe, one of the city fathers of Kansas City, said to me in front of the group. "I have seen your work in the marketplace over the years, and I was touched by what I learned here this week. I want to ask how might I help you move this marketplace movement forward?"
Imagine what would happen if every pastor began taking Paul's edict in Ephesians 4 for the church to equip the saints to shine their light 24/7. I believe our churches would fill up with people being impacted by their co-workers and employers.
What are your experiences? Are you seeing an increase or a decrease in God's move in the marketplace? Do you know pastors who are beginning to teach on faith at work?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
