Archives For Ministry

Battle of Jericho

8.26.2008 — Leave a comment

At the coffeehouse this morning studying for my message Sunday night on the Battle of Jericho.

Found some fascinating commentary about Jericho that I had never studied before:

1. http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v21/i2/jericho.asp
2. http://www.followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=1517

In General, Linkage, Ministry
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Man-Stats

8.20.2008 — 3 Comments

AskMen.com recently polled their readers to investigate who and what is “the modern man.” I read about the survey and results over at the ChurchRelevance Blog.

The survey-site is NOT a church-related site, so I like that the results are “un-biased” and we can get a clearer-picture of what the opinions outside the church are today. I would assume that many of these results would be similar inside the church, too, though.

What makes a man a manly man in 2008?

  • 52% say, “Being a good father and/or husband who takes care of his family.”
  • 19% say, “Being a leader and motivator.”
  • 16% say, “Having many skills, like the ability to fix things.”
  • 7% say, “Being charismatic and popular.”
  • 4% say, “Being a great seducer and/or lover.”
  • 2% say, “Being wealthy.”

    • Have rumors of a recession affected your spending habits?

  • 47% say, “No, I’m still spending the way I always have.”
  • 40% say, “Yes, I’ve tightened up my budget to meet increasing prices.”
  • 13% say, “Yes, I’ve tightened up my budget to put emergency money aside.”

    • Do you believe in marriage?

  • 70% say, “Yes, I believe it is a necessary institution, and one that I will participate in to help preserve.”
  • 20% say, “No, I don’t believe in it strongly but I’ll probably end up getting married anyway.”
  • 6% say, “Yes, I believe in it as an institution, but it’s not for me.”
  • 4% say, “No, I think it’s a dead institution.”

    • Should a couple live together before marriage?

  • 60% say, “Yes, it is a good test to put the relationship through before marriage.”
  • 21% say, “Yes, living together is pretty casual.”
  • 10% say, “No, a man should enjoy his freedom while he can.”
  • 9% say, “No, it is not morally acceptable.”

    • If there was no chance your partner would find out, would you cheat on her?

  • 37% say, “No, I might be tempted, but I love and respect her too much.”
  • 32% say, “No, I might be tempted, but cheating violates my morals.”
  • 15% say, “Yes, but I would feel guilty nonetheless.”
  • 13% say, “Yes, she can’t be hurt if she doesn’t know about it.”
  • 3% say, “Yes, I already cheated on her.”

    • How old were you when you lost your virginity? (67% as a teenager)

  • 2% at 12 or younger
  • 2% at 13 (7th/8th grade)
  • 4% at 14 (8th/9th grade)
  • 7% at 15 (11th/10th grade)
  • 13% at 16 (10th/11th grade)
  • 15% at 17 (11th/12th grade)
  • 15% at 18 (12th grade)
  • 9% at 19

    • Some Other Interesting Stats

  • 69% are concerned about the effects of global warming.
  • 66% say a man should never stop playing video games.
  • 55% of men don’t play fantasy football.
  • 24% consume 0 alcoholic drinks each week.
  • 13% never send text messages.
    • In General, Ministry
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    Mark Driscoll on the Bible’s Use of Harsh Language

    8.15.2008 — Leave a comment

    The Emergent Church’s “Mr. Dangerous” shares his thoughts on the use of “Harsh Language”:

    In General, Ministry, Videos
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    Office Motivators

    8.14.2008 — 1 Comment

    My buddy John Howell blogged today about the motivators that are on his desk and instead of telling him what a great post it was I thought I’d do the same thing, but a bit different – mimicry is the best form of flattery, right?

    So – I probably spend more time each week in my office than in any other single location. There are some things in my office that are motivators – things I look at nearly each day that keep me motivated in life and ministry. What are they?

    01. A toy-Jesus.
    Yep, my action-figure Jesus teaches me to NOT make Jesus an unattainable, impersonal, frowning character that much of the world thinks Him to be. My toy-Jesus smiles at me from the side of my desk and reminds me of who Jesus is!

    02. A picture of Ella holding bottle rockets.
    She was only a few months old when I put the 12-pack of bottle rockets into her hand as she napped on Jess, but this picture is one of my prized-possessions on my desk! It reminds me of the amazing gifts I have in Jess and Ella just across the parking lot and brings me joy each time I look at it!

    03. My plastic owl.
    This owl showed up on our minivan one night after a few teens made an attempt to prank us at our home in Indiana. The owl reminds me not to take MYSELF too seriously. To have FUN in ministry!

    04. Handwritten scripture on my whiteboard.
    1 Peter 2:9a and Colossians 1:21-23a both stare at me from across the desk and remind me of what God has called me to be EVERY DAY.

    What motivates you? What things stare at you everyday from your desk or in your office that speak to you?

    In General, Ministry
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    Church Picnic Was EXPLOSIVE!

    8.10.2008 — 1 Comment

    What a blast! Today was our annual church picnic at Our Savior’s Wesleyan. We had a blast! Literally!

    Sure there was LOTS of setup and tear-down which is NEVER a fun task, but the effort was worth it. This year even featured my buddy Pat Kaboskey and his Civil War-era mortar which he loaded and fired piles of candy and plastic toys for the kids to enjoy! Here’s a video of that mortar in all its explosive-glory!


    08.10.08 – Pat K’s Candy Mortar from navets on Vimeo.

    In General, Ministry, Videos
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