And If the Devil Doesn't Like It...

Songs I really don't like right now:

It's All About the Bass - No.  It's all about hind-ends.

Take Me to Church - Um.  Don't bring that to MY church!

I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy -

You might be asking yourself what I could possibly have against that lovely little children's song-at least it's not sexually explicit!  But it does have that troubling last verse-

Character Quality Method of Bible Study

A year or so back on Maidservants of Christ, Helene and I went through the Fruits of the Spirit.  We found it to be a challenging study in more than one way.  Studying about patience right after you've blown up in anger, for instance, gives not just sore toes, but a sore heart that is ready to repent.  It was also challenging tackling such big topics as "love" or "joy." If I had known about the character quality method of Bible study, that part might have been a little easier.

Another Way to Cast the Net

Hasn't it been great talking so much about evangelism these past weeks?  I've been uplifted, and I hope you have too.  Thus far, we've concentrated on all the people we already know that we can share the gospel with, both in person and long distance. I think that is the absolutely the best place to start, but today I'd like to share methods of sharing the gospel with people we may not know. Here are two ways that won't be intrusive and don't take an inordinate amount of time.

The Joy of the Lord

I recently read a book, Mastering Life Before It's Too Late, by Robert J. Morgan.  I'll be reviewing the book as a whole soon, but today I'd like to share a small bit of Scriptural truth he pointed out that has changed my outlook.  "The perception that God is akin to a grumpy old man is a satanic lie that casts a depressing shadow over our spirits." His point is that when the Bible talks about the joy of the Lord, it isn't only the joy that He gives us, but the joy He has within Himself.  We should be joyful, not only because he told us to, but because our God is a God of joy!  

Seeker Friendly Resources

Imagine with me. 

Once there was an excellent 2nd grade math teacher.  She loved manipulatives (you know, those little blocks) and taught with them every day.  Next door was another excellent teacher.  She thought manipulatives were a disaster because they didn't develop kids' ability to think abstractly.  One day in front of a class full of children struggling with a new concept, they began to argue. Fingers went in the air, big words like "objective representation" and "associationist theory" were tossed around and finally they devolved to red faced name calling. 

21 Days of Evangelism: Week 3

We're almost done with our 3 weeks.  I sincerely hope that you've started a habit that you're not going to give up.  I know that this short time isn't necessarily enough to bring in a new believer but please understand that this is only the beginning of becoming a disciple-maker, one more wonderful way we can follow and obey our Savior.

Loveless Law-keeping

What if you woke up tomorrow determined to take the Bible at its literal word?  That is the premise of the book, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible, by A.J. Jacobs.  A professional memoir writer/Esquire columnist he wanted to explore his Jewish roots and see what all the fuss was about.  He devoted an entire calendar year to the pursuit of following the Bible literally - 8 months for the Old Testament and 4 months for the New Testament. 

21 Days of Evangelism: Week 2

 

I hope this new lifestyle of evangelism is going well for you!  If you haven't gotten started yet, go back and read last week's post and join us! 

Puppy Love

2 weeks before Christmas, we adopted a puppy.  She's a 4 month old terrier mix named Toffee. Let me just tell you, nobody can love like a puppy.  She may be the only creature on the planet who loves my husband as ridiculously as I do.  (His mom is close but she has two more girls to love, and for Toffee, he is the entire universe).

Sunday School Upgrade

I remember as a teen that I was often very frustrated with the material in my Sunday School class.  It was moralistic (no sex, no drugs, no rock and roll!), psychological (believe in yourself!) and simplistic (good friends are important!).  That was enough to do it for me as a teen.  I loved my teachers but I hated those dumb lessons.   Looking back as an adult, I have an even bigger complaint.  The material did nothing to build faith, encourage independent study, or establish the foundational habits that young people need to follow Jesus.  

However I was recently sent a book, by Mrs. Angela Legg (from The Diligent Woman), to review that I found heartening.  To be a Handmaid of the Lord is a  book aimed at girls 11-16.  It's set up to be equally useful as a Bible homeschool curriculum or as a full term of a middle/high school Bible class. The set includes 28 lessons with a student workbook, teacher's manual, quizzes and a final exam. If that makes it sound like the book could be stimulating, we're on the same page!

Sunday School Upgrade

I remember as a teen that I was often very frustrated with the material in my Sunday School class.  It was moralistic (no sex, no drugs, no rock and roll!), psychological (believe in yourself!) and simplistic (good friends are important!).  That was enough to do it for me as a teen.  I loved my teachers but I hated those dumb lessons.   Looking back as an adult, I have an even bigger complaint.  The material did nothing to build faith, encourage independent study, or establish the foundational habits that young people need to follow Jesus. 

21 Days of Evangelism: Week One

For most of us, evangelism is a new endeavor. I don't want you think of it like a "fad diet."  You know the kind of thing you have to give all your effort and attention to for 3 weeks then you're done with it till next January when the pounds from the holidays have made their annual return.  Rather this is the start of a new lifestyle.  A regular, never-ending cycle of prayer, relationship building and invitation that makes disciples.