Pastor Dennis Slavens has shared some really great messages to pastors from the Old Testament yesterday. He knows how to pull great practical applications from these scriptures. Then Pastor Ed Gungor, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, also inspired us with a message about CMI’s need to be relevant in our world by speaking in a language that sinners can understand and set some direction for CMI’s future.
But, I think the most enlightening session of all at our pastor’s conference yesterday, was a 2-hour session presented by Pastor Jim Moore and his son, Alex Moore, of Kansas City. They had this exercise that involved everyone of us whereby they divided us into groupings based upon the way we processed information and thought through ideas and plans. Once they had us divided into one of eight categories, they then helped us understand how to communicate with people in those various categories. It was similar to Florence Littanour’s Personality Plus or the DISC assessment, but went even deeper, identifying eight instead of four categories.
What have you learned about yourself based upon these personality categories?
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week Anita and I, along with the other staff pastors and spouses, are attending the Annual Convention of CMI. This year it will be held in Fort Wayne and we are looking forward to reconnecting with the other pastors and wives, many of whom we have known for many years. We have helped many of them through tough times, so it will be good to catch up on people.
I am also expecting to hear a word from God from one of our speakers. CMI is a Fellowship of Churches, not a denomination, so each local church has the freedom to pursue ministry in its own style. Therefore, we get to learn from each other when we reconnect. This year I am most interested in hearing from Pastor Dennis Slavens, who pastors Antioch Family Worship Center in Overland Park, Kansas. He is also a leader in a sister Fellowship of Churches called WME. I’ve met him a couple of times but never heard him speak.
When we come together like this, its like a reunion of sorts. We’ve watched each other’s children grow up, and prayed for each other in troubled times. What reunion or gathering do you most look forward to each year? Why?
Tags: reunion
Richard Stone suggests that famous people would answer the question ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ like this:
JERRY FALWELL: “Can’t you people see the plain truth in front of your face? The chicken was going to the “other side.” That’s what “they” call it: the “other side.” Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay.”
BILL CLINTON: “I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What do you mean by chicken? Could you define chicken, please?”
GEORGE W. BUSH: “I don’t think I should have to answer that question.”
THE BIBLE: And God came down from the heavens, and He said unto the chicken, “Thou shalt cross the road”, And the chicken crossed the road, and there was much rejoicing.”
COLONEL SANDERS: “I missed one?”
Can you add another to the list? Post it so we can all enjoy your creativity.
Tags: humor
This weekend we looked at the story of the Hand-Made God that the Israelites made to replace Jehovah. Hand-Made gods are made to our liking, and to fit our purposes. The Real God also has things He likes and purposes in His relationship with us.
The task is for us to understand what He likes and participate in His purposes. You’ve heard me say that God likes to hide and we are members of the search party. This story is a great example of God setting up Moses to learn a valuable lesson about pride and intercession.
What did this weekend’s message speak to your heart? What did you discover about God?
Richard Stone, of Bremerton, Washington, believes these famous people would answer the old question, ‘Why did the chicken cross the road?’ like this:
DR. SEUSS: “Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes! The chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed, I’ve not been told.”
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.: “I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.”
GRANDPA: “Why, in my day, we didn’t ask why the chicken crossed the road. Someone told us that the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough for us.”
RONALD REAGAN: “What chicken?”
CAPT JAMES T. KIRK: “To boldly go where no chicken has gone before.”
BILL GATES: “I have just released eChicken 10, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook – and Internet Explorer is an inextricable part of the Chicken.
Part 2 on Monday.
Tags: humor, perspective
Independence is something that young people long for. They want to break away from their parents and make their own decisions. B. J. Chandler was a school superintendent in Dardanelle, Arkansas back in 1981. He reported that the junior high girl came to school wearing one red sock and one blue sock.
When Mr. Chandler asked her the significance she said she was an “individualist”. She said, “I have a right to be different if I want to.” Wouldn’t you agree?
The she added, “Besides, all the kids are doing it!”
Yep, that’s individualism at its best: everybody dress uniformly.
What’s the craziest new fad you’ve ever seen introduced?
Tags: individualism, teen, uniform, unique
Evangelist G. F. Pentecost told of a man who came to see him at a meeting because he was under deep conviction of sin. His conscience was continually condemning him. He was very angry with Pentecost, and with D. L Moody, who had preached the previous week.
“I wish you and Moody had never come to this city!” he shouted. “Before you came, I wasn’t troubled about my sins. You talk of peace and joy, but you have turned my soul into a living hell. I can’t stay away from the meetings, and to come to them only makes me feel worse. You promise salvation, but all I find is torment. I wish you would leave, then I’d get back my old peace.”
His old peace! If God would leave us alone, we would have no guilt. But, because He loves us, He doesn’t leave us alone. He convicts of sin so we can change and find His peace. Our peace is only temporary anyway.
Tags: conviction, peace