tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-171696232024-03-13T08:18:45.322-07:00damascusWTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.comBlogger1045125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-64032636989369301092017-12-13T12:07:00.000-08:002017-12-13T12:07:21.268-08:00Psalm 136 (Slightly Edited)<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+136&version=NIV">Psalm 136</a> is a song commemorating God's redemptive provision on behalf of the nation of Israel, but interspersed between the lines of the song is the refrain "His love endures forever." It is as though the love of God is woven together with the story of God's people...<br />
<br />
Below are two versions of Psalm 136 (the original version is found here). One is my own personal creation, and the other is compiled from short phrases of testimony from a group of people in the congregation:<br />
<br />
<br />
I will give you thanks and praise for you have loved me<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
You gave me parents who cared for me and corrected me,</div>
who protected me and taught me to be strong<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
You gave me a brother to love and fight with, to explore and play with<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span></div>
<div>
You taught me your love as a small boy,</div>
and buried your words in my heart<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
In my rebellion you kept watch over me,</div>
when I spurned my family you looked on with sadness<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
As I tore down my own life with my own hands,</div>
you kept your hand on my heart<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
You used my own evil deeds to bring me</div>
right to the place you wanted me to be<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
A place where you could correct me and heal me,</div>
rebuke me and restore me<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
For you had plans for me that I could never have imagined,</div>
nor chosen for myself<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
You have given me a family of my own to love as I have been loved<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span></div>
<div>
You have given me a life of purpose and hope,</div>
and called me to labor in service to your Kingdom<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span>I will give you thanks and praise for you have loved me,<br />
and you do love me<br />
<i> His love endures forever.</i><br />
<br />
===================<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
I was kidnapped by sin, a captive--broken, wounded,<br />
and abused; your love rescued my soul,<br />
restores my heart, and re-invents my life story.</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
Despite my errors, I have always had<br />
the covenant provision of God, never knowing lack.</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
He rescues me when I do something stupid</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
I was able to witness life and death<br />
in a way that was presented in mercy and grace<br />
through the loss of my mother.</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
Despite my constant doubt and shortcomings<br />
God continues to reveal himself to me.</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
Through my broken-hearted mess,<br />
when my insecurities seem to rule the day…</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
He gives me songs of joy in the night.</div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span><br />
<div>
I am in a place where I am flourishing,<br />
surrounded by a community that loves me.</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-style: italic;"> His love endures forever.</span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-19339571039736052182017-11-25T06:54:00.001-08:002017-11-25T06:54:20.325-08:00100 Things: Simple Acts of Purpose<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1-smile at someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2-hold a door open for someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3-tell someone “thank you”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4-tell someone “I love you”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5-tell someone what you like about them</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6-let someone else talk first in the conversation</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7-hug someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8-hold someone's hand</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-compliment someone on their outfit</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-take your dog for a walk</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11-let someone pet your dog</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12-let someone else choose the movie</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">13-let someone else choose the meal</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">14-get someone a glass of water</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">15-pass the salt without being asked</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">16-let someone else go first in line</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">17-let someone beat you at a game</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18-help cook dinner with your family</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19-help clean the house</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20-help do the laundry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">21-take out the trash</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">22-dust the television</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">23-clear the table after the meal</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">24-do the dishes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25-shovel the sidewalk of snow</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">26-offer your seat on the bus/train to someone else</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">27-put your phone away when talking with people</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">28-help a child tie their shoes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">29-keep someone company who is lonely</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">30-hold someone’s hand when they are sad</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">31-sit with someone when they are sad</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">32-forgive someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">33-donate some clothes to Salvation Army</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">34-donate your spare change to a kids sports team</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">35-let someone else have the last cookie</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">36-loan someone your earrings</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">37-loan someone a sweater</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">38-say hello to someone new at church</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">39-make coffee/tea for someone when they are cold</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">40-invite someone to eat with you</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">41-invite someone to sit next to you at church</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">42-introduce someone to your friends and family</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">43-share a funny video with someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">44-tell someone a joke</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">45-tell someone “Happy Birthday” on their birthday</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">46-listen to someone else tell a joke and laugh</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">47-show someone a picture of somewhere beautiful you’ve been</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">48-when you see something beautiful, say “thank you, God”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">49-make a list of things you are thankful for</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-056f53ba-f3ab-9f03-59df-0fa7349cf805"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50-share the list</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">51-point out a beautiful sunset to a friend</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">52-point out beautiful architecture to a friend</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">53-share a verse from scripture with someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">54-make a list of things you like about someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">55-share that list with them</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">56-share the list with someone else</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">57-share your mistakes with others</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">58-share something personal with someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">59-tell someone the truth when they ask a question</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">60-apologize to someone you have hurt or upset</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">61-dance in public</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">62-tell someone a good thing that happened to you</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">63-share your successes with others</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">64-keep a promise</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">65-help clean the church</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">66-help with the church BBQs</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">67-color a coloring book with a kid in church</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">68-help set up for church on Sunday </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">69-help someone carry groceries</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">70-volunteer at the farm</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">71-cook a meal for someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">72-clean someone else's room</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">73-organize someone else’s messy closet</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">74-pick up trash on the street</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">75-shovel your neighbor’s snow</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">76-invite people to start a dance team</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">77-volunteer at the animal shelter</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">78-help someone move apartments</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">79-ask someone to tell you their life story</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">80-share your life story with someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">81-ask someone, “where will you be in 10 years?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">82-share a dream with someone</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">83-text someone a simple “thank you”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">84-ask someone to teach you something you don’t know how to do</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">85-teach someone something you do know how to do</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">86-send someone a card</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">87-tell someone a story</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">88-let someone help you</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">89-play someone your favorite song</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">90-ask someone their favorite song</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">91-show someone your favorite picture from your childhood</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">92-write someone a letter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">93-write someone a poem</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">94-invite someone over to watch your favorite movie</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">95-ask someone their favorite movie</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">96-walk to the store with someone</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">97-listen to someone who has something to say</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">98-pick some wildflowers and give them to someone</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">99-hide a secret note for someone where they will find it later</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-056f53ba-f3ab-cac4-23c6-fc2fccab1cb3"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">100-share this list with someone who thinks they have no purpose in life</span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-56411758623226300042017-11-18T20:03:00.000-08:002017-11-18T20:03:04.557-08:00A Gentle Posture of Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jM0z3pEJ7Zc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jM0z3pEJ7Zc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-30615194294194259752017-11-07T09:11:00.000-08:002017-11-07T09:11:39.639-08:00Psalm 137<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A painting by Fugel that captures the despair of the Jewish exiles in Babylon; a despair that turns to rage by the end of the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+137&version=NIV">137th Psalm</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L40QmIKJMR0/WgHmdynLfkI/AAAAAAAATHk/Q_s_UxpS4j8m1xhYdILYlZsBAD0xG7JTQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rivers-of-Babylon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L40QmIKJMR0/WgHmdynLfkI/AAAAAAAATHk/Q_s_UxpS4j8m1xhYdILYlZsBAD0xG7JTQCLcBGAs/s400/Rivers-of-Babylon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a rendition of the first lines of lament from this passage.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uTnspbSjKVc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTnspbSjKVc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe><br />
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<a href="http://thebirdsings.com/babylon/">Here</a> is a link to another version with voices only.<br />
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<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-90075720592839659762017-11-04T14:31:00.002-07:002017-11-04T14:31:36.143-07:00Coffee TableRecent sabbath project:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6uDNPNHDQw/Wf4xiuSWiHI/AAAAAAAATGY/rlIRI7c_FPw-B-Wy1vqupPZrI-gxGYBKgCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6uDNPNHDQw/Wf4xiuSWiHI/AAAAAAAATGY/rlIRI7c_FPw-B-Wy1vqupPZrI-gxGYBKgCLcBGAs/s320/photo%2B3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvlbSQBJbTU/Wf4xk9uZNgI/AAAAAAAATGc/X--IGIJ1_KweEqK7lGAYdChDdvPEG0bxQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvlbSQBJbTU/Wf4xk9uZNgI/AAAAAAAATGc/X--IGIJ1_KweEqK7lGAYdChDdvPEG0bxQCLcBGAs/s320/photo%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJbdMs_ovoM/Wf4xp9lU0gI/AAAAAAAATGg/oNqfDLNrgcoxUZJS72ZBdff-Qrn4K5zaQCLcBGAs/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJbdMs_ovoM/Wf4xp9lU0gI/AAAAAAAATGg/oNqfDLNrgcoxUZJS72ZBdff-Qrn4K5zaQCLcBGAs/s320/photo%2B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-58672533254961010372017-10-26T03:01:00.000-07:002017-10-26T03:01:10.206-07:00Are We On Mission?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/llLzgz3sQOM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/llLzgz3sQOM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-48192014799551444772017-10-24T03:01:00.001-07:002017-10-24T03:01:18.585-07:00What is Our Mission?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QqTH1iPHl6Y/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QqTH1iPHl6Y?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-61559941995954277732017-10-21T07:30:00.001-07:002017-10-21T07:30:47.583-07:00Christian Politics?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGL74Bu-0aA/WetZ2vrjzZI/AAAAAAAAS9A/DwYqGbijUzgigF90ULhoFYn_m-Bx6B8JQCLcBGAs/s1600/caesar-augustus-became-supreme-ruler-after-caesarion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1484" height="247" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGL74Bu-0aA/WetZ2vrjzZI/AAAAAAAAS9A/DwYqGbijUzgigF90ULhoFYn_m-Bx6B8JQCLcBGAs/s320/caesar-augustus-became-supreme-ruler-after-caesarion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Politics is the squabbling over who gets to polish Caesar's throne.<div>
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We are called to serve a different King and embody the ethic of a different kingdom and in so doing we will largely ignore Caesar and his throne. Perhaps the greatest critique of all for those who bluster and swagger is to simply ignore them and get on with the business of life.</div>
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This isn't necessarily a call for a retreat from political engagement (although that might be appropriate at times) but rather a clarification about what we should hope for, and where we should turn for justice. The irony is that those (on both sides of the aisle) complain about Caesar's past injustices, while simultaneously expecting Caesar's future justice. Those who hope in Caesar for justice ought not be surprised when Caesar delivers.</div>
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Here is what Roman justice looks like:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnacYmr1OnE/WetZvAxXlrI/AAAAAAAAS88/-sdbqhNnirMxfsebS3jEbZfuVrb04OwMgCLcBGAs/s1600/150323181635-finding-jesus-cross-symbol-christianity-00003024-full-169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnacYmr1OnE/WetZvAxXlrI/AAAAAAAAS88/-sdbqhNnirMxfsebS3jEbZfuVrb04OwMgCLcBGAs/s200/150323181635-finding-jesus-cross-symbol-christianity-00003024-full-169.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br /><br />-----<div>
<br />...our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.<br /><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3&version=NIV" target="_blank">Philippians 3</a></b></div>
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WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-67005904011004167272017-10-18T03:49:00.000-07:002017-10-18T03:49:49.954-07:00Fighting Injustice: An Alternative Vision<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains ... an un-uprooted small corner of evil. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since then I have come to understand the truth of all the religions of the world: They struggle with the evil inside a human being (inside every human being). It is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety, but it is possible to constrict it within each person.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-65a589d1-2f14-e088-ff6b-7700173a8116"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956</span></span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-18879077287044041492017-05-12T20:15:00.000-07:002017-05-12T20:15:04.744-07:00Recessive Gene?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3K-b7CZaPpw/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3K-b7CZaPpw?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-22671532959670375412017-05-10T18:58:00.001-07:002017-05-10T18:58:53.285-07:00Teenager?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pE8NPdM73Ls/WRPEqm78mgI/AAAAAAAARUg/-ZbIlFcrlpcEyEFC6FsuWGMD4DqtkWRZgCLcB/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pE8NPdM73Ls/WRPEqm78mgI/AAAAAAAARUg/-ZbIlFcrlpcEyEFC6FsuWGMD4DqtkWRZgCLcB/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
In case you wanted to know what one of these rare creatures looks like, you can see a picture above. This particular image is of a teenager in its natural habitat. The gesture this teenager is making is a defensive posture that typifies the behavior of many of these strange creatures...<div>
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It's official, I have a teenage daughter. <br /><br /></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-44757082182823492017-05-05T19:22:00.001-07:002017-05-05T19:22:30.924-07:00Passion?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-79045203408644867842017-02-27T07:27:00.000-08:002017-02-27T07:27:04.639-08:00the Power of the People!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-46967032270213978622017-02-26T12:01:00.001-08:002017-02-26T12:01:58.741-08:00Chicken Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://assets.simplyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/chicken-feet-stock-640-horiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://assets.simplyrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/chicken-feet-stock-640-horiz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few years back I spent a week in the Dominican Republic. We stayed with a family. One of the meals they served us a Dominican "delicacy."<br />
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Chicken Feet.<br />
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I did my best, and I did eat my fair share, but I did <i>not</i> enjoy it. After all, where I come from, that is the part of the chicken that we throw in the garbage. Which got me thinking...<br />
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<i> One culture's delicacy is another culture's refuse.</i><br />
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Years later I invited a friend to come and share at a class I teach. This friend is someone I respect, he has lots of wisdom, and experience. He is, however, from another culture. I shared with him the background of the people in the class, I shared the content of the class up to that point, and I gave him a topic to share on. The class was horrible.<br />
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As I reflected on the mess, I realized that he had brought us some ideas and practices that were very helpful and powerful within his own culture. However, they were ideas and practices that we had explicitly rejected as unfit for our use. At least in this case, <i>his culture's delicacy was our culture's refuse.</i><br />
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Which of course, got me thinking about how much of what I think of as a delicacy would be seen as refuse in my friend's culture.WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-76768368560837867852017-02-08T14:50:00.001-08:002017-02-08T14:50:07.693-08:00Coaching for Non-Athletes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://the-coach-athlete-relationship.wikispaces.com/file/view/172-PE-016-AT9552.jpg/184289217/471x317/172-PE-016-AT9552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://the-coach-athlete-relationship.wikispaces.com/file/view/172-PE-016-AT9552.jpg/184289217/471x317/172-PE-016-AT9552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've spent a good chunk of my life in the athletic arena. As a competitor in various sports from the age of 5 all the way through college as a division I wrestler. And after college as a coach at every level of competition from youth programs to college athletes, primarily in the sport of wrestling, but also in soccer and baseball.<br />
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There is something I have noticed about the relationship between a coach and a competitor that has a great parallel to leadership in general.<br />
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A coach has the ability to offer tremendously pointed critical feedback to their athlete. In point of fact it is essential to their job as a coach to offer this criticism without softening the blow. But most athletes don't feel this criticism as an attack, but rather as a help.<br />
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What is going on here?<br />
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What lessons can we learn for mentorship in other venues?<br />
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1) A coach is trusted to be completely invested in the success of the athlete. In point of fact, the coach loses when the athlete loses, and wins when the athlete wins. This trust is inherent in the relationship. What does it look like to build this kind of trust in coaching relationships outside of the athletic arena?<br />
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2) A coach is trusted as an expert on the sport they are coaching. This is usually because of two important facts: the coach has had a successful career in that sport far surpassing the level of those in the program, and the coach is able to defeat those he is coaching in direct competition. What does it look like to demonstrate this level of mastery in an area of expertise other than athletics?<br />
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3) A coach doesn't simply offer criticism, they offer a practical vision of success. The coach is a walking example of victory. The coach can demonstrate successful techniques and strategies for the athlete to watch and learn. The coach offers stories about what victory feels like. How can a compelling vision be offered outside of the athletic arena?<br />
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4) A coach doesn't simply point at the objective and say, "get to work." The coach also provides the strategy for success. The coach offers a clear pathway to accomplish victory. The coach leads the athlete through a process that is designed to end at the success of the athlete. What does is look like to advocate for productive strategies in areas other than sports?<br />
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5) Criticism is offered within this larger framework of vision and strategy, coming from a trusted expert. This criticism is focused on specific details, and designed to motivate the athlete, not to demoralize them. This criticism is usually balanced by equal amounts of praise. A good coach is always happy when the athlete is hard at work, but a good coach is never satisfied. What does it look like to offer this kind of constructive criticism in other endeavors.WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-55356172086572349442017-02-02T06:58:00.001-08:002017-02-02T06:58:23.553-08:00Sex EducationI had a conversation recently with an administrator at our kids school about sex education that got me thinking about the messages we have taught our children over the years...<br />
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We teach them that sex is good and powerful, uniting people emotionally, and creating new human beings in the process. Sex, sexuality, and our sexual parts are not shameful, but rather, they are personal and private. It is something to be shared with the right people; trustworthy people. Obviously this includes parents and doctors in appropriate settings, and eventually it will include a wife, or a husband.<br />
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We have given them a full understanding of intercourse and the reproductive cycle. But we have not talked with them about specific sexual acts other than intercourse, except as those questions arose from our children's conversations with other children. This is because those are things that are properly explored within the context of a wife and husband who are bound together for life.<br />
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We have taught them that all good things can be abused, including sexuality. We have taught them that our personal desires are often the enemy of our own health, and that this is true in the realm of sexuality as well. Sexual irresponsibility is destructive to the individual, and to those they are in relationship with. It is emotionally destructive to self and others, and it can be physically destructive to self and others.<br />
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We have explained to them that our culture enshrines the pursuit of personal desire as the highest ideal, and that this leads to much confusion and experimentation in many areas of life, particularly sexuality. Most of their peers will be having sex before marriage, and many of them will be experimenting with their sexual behaviors, their sexual identity, and even their gender in ways that will cause unnecessary pain.<br />
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We have taught them to be respectful of the choices, behaviors, struggles, and identities of other people, and that all people are to be treated with reverence simply because they are people. But we have also taught them that many of those choices, behaviors, struggles, and identities aren't healthy, and that they should avoid those behaviors personally.<br />
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We have talked with them briefly about sexual addiction and pornography. We have also explained more exhaustively how sex outside of marriage builds intimacy with someone other than your spouse, and that this will cause pain and confusion later on in life. Extra-marital sex can also lead to unwanted pregnancy, disease, and even death.<br />
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We have taught them explicitly to wait until they are married to engage in sexual behavior, but we have also interacted with them quite a bit about the messages they receive from peers and cultural figures that contradict that wisdom. We have shared with them some of our own personal history with sexual behavior (both our mistakes and our successes).<br />
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We have also talked with them about grace and forgiveness, and how one mistake, or even a long pattern of mistakes, can be forgiven and overcome, no matter the consequences.<br />
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WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-25370545115049583312016-12-20T10:46:00.002-08:002016-12-20T10:46:42.257-08:00Love?<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 29px;">"When the satisfaction or security of another person becomes as significant to one as one's own satisfaction or security, then the state of love exists. ... Under no other circumstances is a state of love present, regardless of the popular usage of the term." </span><br />
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WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-43511275990899444502016-12-02T08:27:00.002-08:002016-12-02T08:27:51.000-08:00Respect<i>"You can have my sympathy or my respect, take your pick."</i><br />
<b>Anonymous Web Comment</b><br />
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On its face this comment is insightful. I am not sure, however, that I agree with it wholeheartedly...<br />
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Maybe it works as a platitude to apply to my own self-pity, and perhaps something to teach my children. But I don't think it is a helpful way for me to think about treating others.<br />
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So perhaps it is better said:<br />
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<i>"People will either give you respect, or give you sympathy, but they will rarely give you both."</i>WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-20782809412156835812016-11-22T03:59:00.003-08:002016-11-22T03:59:49.391-08:00Why I am Politically Disengaged<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JK9us0weOc/WDQyhsjuupI/AAAAAAAANso/WngkWyrkOA0YS_pXub2jPa0aJLVme88uQCLcB/s1600/hc-op-thorson-political-conflict-obscures-fact-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JK9us0weOc/WDQyhsjuupI/AAAAAAAANso/WngkWyrkOA0YS_pXub2jPa0aJLVme88uQCLcB/s320/hc-op-thorson-political-conflict-obscures-fact-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am intentionally disengaged from the political process in our country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be clear, I voted in our recent election, indeed I have only opted out of voting once in my life. I care about the direction of our country. I am moderately informed about the policies that we create and enforce. I have opinions about what those policies ought to be. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are even a few people that I will discuss those opinions with from time to time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what do I mean when I say I am disengaged politically?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't listen to 24-hour news media (right or left).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't rant on social media.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't put bumper stickers on my car.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't call people communist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I don't call people racist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am disgusted by the vapidity and rancor of those who do these things, so I opt out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whats more, in the end I don't care too much who gets elected, or how things unfold. I don't get angry or afraid, nor do I get excited or hopeful. I definitely don't think about trying to have any significant effect on the process. Indeed, US politics is like the weather in that I can no more change the course of our nation by voting than I can make it rain by spitting in the air.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The interesting part is that I actually studied Political Science in college. For years I studied our political process formally, and sat around talking politics with my friends informally. It was an enjoyable pastime, something akin to golf or chess. We didn't yell, or call names; we were dispassionate. Something in our national discourse, however, has changed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my mind it changed in connection with the 2000 election, but I may be wrong about that. What I am not wrong about, is that I used to be able to sit with a group of people and talk politics without anyone name-calling, crying, yelling, or running out of the room. In the years since leaving college it is increasingly unlikely for this to happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I may be wrong about the causes, but my suspicion is that the rise of social media and the 24 hour news cycle are to blame for this. We are now inundated with conflict-mongering "news" channels that have to create drama in order to boost ratings. This means we have to find the one KKK member, or the one Communist Party member, and put them on camera to create the idea that our nation is locked in combat between crazy people. In order to make money they sell the story that the KKK and the Communist Party each represent 50% of our nation. (In reality these groups together represent approximately 1 in 50,000 Americans.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What is more, we then take our fear and anger and broadcast it without a filter, to everyone in our online social network. It then gets re-broadcasted as fodder for the conflict-mongering cycle to continue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a follower of Jesus, my response is to simply walk away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To be continued...</span>WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-24143194681438645122016-11-02T04:01:00.001-07:002016-11-02T04:01:29.413-07:00Christians and the Politics of Poverty<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<b> The government should be responsible for alleviating poverty in our country.</b></div>
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<b> The government should <i>not</i> be responsible for alleviating poverty in our country.</b></div>
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As a Christian,* you can support either of those positions without violating your faith in God. As a Christian, however, you cannot stop there. Regardless of your political persuasion, a follower of Jesus is compelled to engage personally and sacrificially in the plight of those living in poverty.</div>
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Both of the statements often serve as an excuse to avoid following the clear teaching of Jesus. We are taught to love our neighbor, and to help those who are hurting in any way. This is not an action that we can ignore, nor is it an action that we can delegate to others by virtue of our vote.</div>
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Regardless of our politics, we must follow the example of Jesus, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the teaching of Scripture, to get personally involved. To fail to do so would undoubtedly violate our faith in God.<br /><div>
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*If you are not a Christian, then you can safely ignore these words.</div>
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WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-76732276730279569892016-10-23T07:27:00.000-07:002016-10-23T07:27:01.697-07:00Synergy: Pt VI<span id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be6b-74d6-6d29-48e1df5a9f86"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Material taken from a podcast by John Lee and Steven Schenk for UNITE WNY</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Synergy</b> is defined as <i>"the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of the separate effects."</i> Another way of thinking about synergy is when one person does a single task that serves the goals and mission of two separate organizations. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">All that is necessary for synergy to happen in ministry is for us to be willing to let go of our need for control over, and credit for, the use of our own skills and resources, and a willingness to see ourselves as belonging to the same team.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Ask</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;">Use your time, talent, and treasure to accomplish God’s will for our world. First, develop a collaborative relationship with a ministry leader. Second, help your church efficiently pursue Kingdom goals. Third, use your network, skills, resources to advance God’s plan in our region and our world. God wants you to bring your ingenuity and focus to the work, it is vital to the task at hand.</span></span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-39240543566316466512016-10-21T07:21:00.000-07:002016-10-21T07:21:01.194-07:00Synergy: Pt V<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be6b-74d6-6d29-48e1df5a9f86" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Material taken from a podcast by John Lee and Steven Schenk for UNITE WNY</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advice for Working with Ministry-Folks</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be6a-cd4f-fee5-abfb7b2af8eb" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, recognize that pastors aren’t businesspeople. While it seems unnecessary to say this, it actually isn’t. As a business leader you will be tempted to think of pastors as stupid businesspeople. Again, they aren’t </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stupid</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> businesspeople, because they aren’t businesspeople. They have a whole different set of values, paradigms, networks, and even vocabulary. Many businesspeople have had experience working in other countries, it would be helpful to think of relationships with ministry leaders as a cross-cultural relationship. Be patient, and persistent.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second, pastors are trained to teach and counsel, not lead and manage. Some pastors are great at this, others are horrible. But most pastors are placed in positions where leadership and management skills are necessary without any training or experience in leading and managing. Often it takes new pastors years to even recognize that managing an organization and leading a worship service are two fundamentally different tasks. Be patient, and persistent.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Third, recognize that pastors are leaders and that this means they have sizeable egos. Just like all leaders, they tend to think of themselves as the smartest people in the room, even on subjects about which they are clueless. Having a degree in Biblical Languages doesn’t automatically prepare you to make church budgeting decisions. Business leaders have made enormous and costly mistakes because they trusted their own egos and pastors do the same thing. This means business leaders should be especially sensitive to the power dynamics in the relationships, many pastors have been taught that they need to be the person with all of the answers to everything pertaining to the church. It may be hard for them to accept your expertise, until you have won their trust. Recognizing their expertise while offering yours, will go along way toward easing this reality. Be patient, and persistent.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fourth, most pastors have a very different decision making process than most business leaders. Pastors usually start with theology, then work through philosophy, then relationships and emotions, before finally figuring out what tasks they should perform. Business leaders almost invariably work the other way around. Proposing tasks and arguing out the best way to engage in mission is the way in which philosophy of business questions get answered, and the way in which partnerships get built. Most business leaders prioritize mission and action, most church leaders prioritize theology and relationships. This difference in fundamental process can be frustrating, but be patient and persistent.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fifth, recognize that the church operates in some “false dichotomies” or some faulty paradigms. There are ways that Christians and churches have come to think and live that are actually out of alignment with Scripture. The division between what is sacred and what is secular is not a biblical division. The very first person that the Bible records being “filled with the Holy Spirit” was not a pastor or a prophet, but a craftsman. God has given business leaders important skills that are equally valuable to the Kingdom. It is simply not the case that strategic planning, or budgets, or any other business tool is inherently “un-spiritual.” Persistently bring your skills to the table.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, recognize that ministry leaders have skills, wisdom, and resources that you lack and we need each other to be the church of Christ. Offer your gifts, and receive theirs. Work together to advance God’s Kingdom.</span></div>
<br />WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-3360675448791173272016-10-19T07:19:00.000-07:002016-10-19T07:19:01.656-07:00Synergy: Pt IV<span id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be68-7a3f-b25f-97d2587fbe4a"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Material taken from a podcast by John Lee and Steven Schenk for UNITE WNY</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Examples of Ministry/Business Collaboration</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be69-77fb-f7d6-d61ea39a1ece" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A pastor and a retired businessman from two different congregations in the same city, have become friends and ministry partners. They strategize together, network, organize, and advocate for common projects. Together they have been involved in the creation of several Kingdom endeavors in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pastors have volunteered their time at a local community health center providing spiritual care, and helping to establish a program that was ultimately brought in house. This is a collaboration of business leaders, ministry leaders, and medical professionals.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several churches have provided volunteers for a work readiness program operated by a local parachurch organization. This program provides soft skills training to underemployed individuals currently receiving government assistance. Program participants are finding work, connecting to a mentor, hearing about the love of God, connecting to churches and bible-studies, and changing the trajectory of their family.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several churches and organizations have collaborated in support of an urban farming initiative that employs neighborhood teens, provides affordable high quality food to neighborhood markets, and creates multiple opportunities for neighbors and employees to experience the love of God. A key question in the management of the farm is “how can we use the market as an engine to drive Kingdom endeavors?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A semi-retired businessman is a member of a church that is not big enough to hire a full staff. He has become the “consultant” to his church leadership team (who are almost all volunteers) on matters of strategic planning, ministry task management, and efficiency.</span></div>
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WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-9077485975733676462016-10-17T07:18:00.000-07:002016-10-17T07:18:10.508-07:00Synergy: Pt III<span id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be68-7a3f-b25f-97d2587fbe4a"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Material taken from a podcast by John Lee and Steven Schenk for UNITE WNY</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Kingdom Assets of the Business World</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be67-dd96-921b-aefad229d0e0" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to describe the way the church works. This metaphor helps us to understand that each individual and group of Christians have their own important gifts to bring to the table. This metaphor also makes it clear, just how imperative it is that we all work in concert with one another, and under the guidance of Christ, our head! So what are the gifts that business leaders bring to the table?</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We assert that there are four levels of praxis for Kingdom-minded business leaders. They are not necessarily in order of importance, although they are in order of complexity. The first two levels are important to note, but it is the second two levels that are the focus of our conversation here.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first level is the basic call to generosity, integrity, and witness. Business leaders often represent significant financial resources. These resources should be handled with integrity. Money should be recognized as ultimately belonging to God, and should be handled with great generosity. All of this should be done with the awareness that how Christians handle money will declare to the world precisely who (or what) it is that we worship. This is where John Wesley’s adage to “earn all you can, give all you can, and save all you can,” is appropriate.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second level is the call to produce “good goods.” All business people are fulfilling the needs of the market. This is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">usually</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a good thing in and of itself. Christian business people will ensure that it is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">always</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a good thing. They won't just provide goods, they will provide “good goods.” Christian business leaders will provide goods and services that are beneficial to individuals and to our world. People genuinely need household goods, furniture, cars, and clothes. People’s lives are enriched by insurance and medical supplies, restaurants and gas stations, computers and books. Providing these goods and services for people can actually serve to make the world a better place. Business leaders provide legitimate blessing to our world by serving in this way, and ought to see it as an essential piece of their vocation and witness to do so.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third level is the invitation to use business skills to organize and manage the local church more efficiently in the pursuit of its mission. The average church in America has approximately 70 members. This means the majority of congregations are being lead by a single pastor with volunteer support. Most ministry leaders are trained and skilled at teaching the scriptures, navigating the intersection of theology and culture, leading prayer and worship, providing compassion and hospitality, and counseling in the practice of the faith. Most ministry leaders, however, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lack</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the practical skills of organizational leadership and management, not to mention financial planning and management.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We advocate for business leaders to be participating in the leadership of every local church. In a myriad of ways (evaluating financial decisions, leading strategic planning, managing the tasks of ministry, creating systems of organization, or navigating interactions with the local bank) business leaders can either come alongside ministry leaders as coaches and mentors, or can simply perform specific tasks and roles in the congregation directly.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps an appropriate analogy would be the running of a successful restaurant. Pastors are like the chef with expertise in the kitchen; successful restaurants require a solid chef, but they also require a solid business manager, and rarely do those two skill sets coexist in a single individual. Christian business leaders should seek to play the “restaurant manager” role in their churches so that pastors can focus on their role as “chef.” When this kind of symbiotic relationship exists, the local congregation will be functioning at high capacity towards its mission, just like a body with all of its limbs and organs working together efficiently for a single purpose.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fourth level is the use of business assets to engage in community development outside the church. Communities need many things to flourish, many of those things are directly related to the unique skill-set of business leaders. Employment, physical infrastructure, healthcare, and education, are vital to the health of any community. Business leaders are essential players in the creation and maintenance of the various systems, organizations, and institutions that provide these things for any community.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is both vital and appropriate that business leaders will use their resources and skills to provide for their own family, but Christian business leaders will go beyond this and use their resources and skills to provide for the community at large. Instead of simply building the most successful business, Christian business leaders will also ask questions about the needs of the surrounding community. Christian business leaders are willing to sacrifice maximal profits in order to create jobs for underemployed communities, create necessary infrastructure in impoverished neighborhoods, or provide goods and services that the community needs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The temptation for the church (and for business people!) is to conceive of business leaders as the wallet for the church. The reality is, however, that the most important Kingdom asset business leaders possess is not money, it is the skills, the practices, the relational networks, the paradigms, and the experiences that are important. Christian business leaders, your money is not what God wants, what He wants is you!</span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17169623.post-5278036263911401662016-10-15T07:16:00.000-07:002016-10-15T07:16:00.687-07:00Synergy: Pt II<span id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be66-67ee-1240-61308b4761af"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Material taken from a podcast by John Lee and Steven Schenk for UNITE WNY</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Missio Dei V Missio Ecclesia</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-ddb6b81e-be66-fb09-fa2b-afc033dbcdc2" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mission of God is simply bringing all things back into relationship with Himself. God is at work redeeming and restoring, and has promised to complete that work at some point in the future. A key part of God’s plan is inviting us to join in His work! God wants us to use our skills and resources to partner with Him. What is more God actually cares about completing the work! This isn’t “make-work,” we aren’t just digging a hole so that we can fill it. God is actually inviting you to learn how to advance His Kingdom.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That process of learning how to advance His Kingdom is called discipleship. And discipleship is for everyone. It is for pastors and worship leaders, but it is also for stay-at-home mothers, teachers, doctors, and tradespeople. Discipleship is also for business leaders. Business leaders are invited to learn from Jesus how to join God’s ongoing project to bring all things back into right relationship with Himself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is where the church comes in. The role of the church is to teach people how to do this. To create spaces, programs, and processes, by which people can learn how to be in right relationship with God, and participate in what God is doing in our world.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, the church often gets lost in its own agenda. Instead of existing to advance God’s mission, the church ends up just doing whatever it takes to maintain its own existence. Local churches end up competing with each other for resources instead of collaborating to accomplish our common goals. Pastors and ministry leaders lose sight of their calling to teach people how to partner with God in whatever sphere of influence they have.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Business leaders can play a unique role in helping the church regain its focus. Business leaders can help the church re-focus on mobilizing its members (and their personal resources) to advance the Kingdom in the marketplace, education, healthcare, housing, job creation, as well as in Sunday gatherings and Wednesday Bible studies.</span></div>
WTF?!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00485727784706231437noreply@blogger.com0