What IF Jesus had been born during the time of Google, Wikipedia, Facebook and Twitter?
The Truth would still be the same.
House Church Challenges – The Sickness
Hosting a house church has certain challenges – as we have learned over the last year. Over the next few weeks, I plan on posting some of those challenges.
Why?
Discussion.
Some may be starting a house church and others may be thinking about it. Perhaps these discussions will help us all think through some of these challenges and exchange ideas on how to deal with them. So, please – jump in on the discussion and share your challenges and ideas.
The first challenge – The Sickness.
Yesterday, we had sickness in our house. Since we host a house church, this obviously posed a challenge. Having a sick person in our family also affected other families as a result. In our arrangement, we use Lifechurch.tv video teaching for our sermon content – which is delivered via web streaming. We watch the message together as a group and have some great discussion afterwards. Choosing to do house church this way does have some technical requirements to be able to watch the message on a large enough screen. Not everyone has the Internet connection or geekiness to do church like this every week. I understand that.
Anyway, we really had two options. Either the sick person ended up quarantined while people come to the house for church or we cancelled church at our house for the week. So, this week we cancelled. Being so close to Christmas, we didn’t want anyone (parents or kids) to get sick.
Other families that normally attend had to make a change. Sure they could watch the message from home, depending on broadband and computer availability. There are other options as well. They could meet together at another house, if available. They could have a small family church. Or, they could go to a traditional church that day.
If you are currently doing house church, how do you handle this?
Thoughts? Ideas?
Too Old For Youth Ministry
How old is too old when working in Youth Ministry?
30? 40? 50??
After watching this, I say that you’re too old to work with Youth only when you’re dead.
Meet Verna Kline, she’s been working with youth since 1948 – that’s 63 years as a VOLUNTEER youth worker?
Now, were you saying something about being too old?
Making a Difference
I heard snippets about North Point Community Church‘s “Be Rich” campaign. Andy Stanley, senior pastor, challenged North Point and their other campus locations to be generous, share what God had blessed them with and help meet the needs of others. The results were amazing.
We don’t all belong to a church like North Point. But, each of us, whether as churches or small groups or home fellowships or just individuals, can make a difference with as much or more impact.
I believe that if individuals, churches, small groups, life groups, home fellowships or community groups simply reached out to make a difference where they are, then THAT impact would dwarf what North Point and the other campus locations were able to do.
Encourage us all.
What are you or your group doing to help others?
YouVersion Sharing is Powerful
This YouVersion video is a great follow-up to the recent bible translation survey results.
Two-thirds of the respondents indicated that they prefer accessing their Bible on a digital device (mobile, tablet or otherwise). YouVersion has made reading the Bible and sharing what you learn with others SO much easier. Before social media, we might make ourselves a note to share something with a friend – and then promptly forget.
Now, you can share instantly and what you share can cascade around the world and reach so many others.
Cool. Thank you LifeChurch.tv for making YouVersion available to all of us.
Tears in a Bottle
I have Psalm 56 bookmarked at YouVersion. Like Psalm 121, it reminds me that no matter what happens, God never leaves us.
O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me. But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?They are always twisting what I say;
they spend their days plotting to harm me.They come together to spy on me—
watching my every step, eager to kill me.Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
in your anger, O God, bring them down.You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the LORD for what he has promised.I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light.
My favorite part? “You have collected all my tears in your bottle.” Not only does God know every hair on our head, but he keeps track of every tear we shed.
We do not walk alone.
Hearing is not Listening
I was on YouVersion yesterday trying to catch up on my daily reading. Yes, I’m behind on my reading plans. This verse was a part of that day’s reading.
To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. – Mark 4:25 NLT
There are times I haven’t understood what God is trying to teach me as I go through struggles. Maybe it was because I wasn’t listening to what He had to say.
God help me to listen to You so I can understand.
Preferred Bible Translation Results
I had hoped to have these results posted earlier, but life got in the way. Also, I would have liked to have had a larger survey sample, but it is what it is.
So, what do you think the top vote was for the #1 preferred Bible translation?
English Standard Version with 25% of the votes!
The rest of the results are as follows:
Halfway to Making a Difference
As I posted in October, I am trying to lose weight using My Fitness Pal. I am VERY pleased with my progress so far.
I can now officially say I have lost 15 pounds!
YAY!
However, I am not finished yet. My goal is to lose about 30 pounds – maybe more – so I guess you can say I am halfway to my goal. As a part of this process, my intent is to make a donation per pound of weight loss. Here is where I want your input.
Should I donate $1 or more per pound lost to a charity or other group?
If so, which group? Samaritan’s Purse? Charity:Water? Love146? Is there another group you have in mind?
Should I donate a pound of food (ironic isn’t it?) for each pound lost to a local food bank?
Other ideas?
So far I have received a few really good ideas, but I’m looking for others. C’mon, brainstorm with me! Challenge me! Tell me your ideas in the comments below.
Even better, join me in this challenge!
I challenge you to join me in this challenge. Do yourself some good and help others in the process.
If you end up using myfitnesspal, my ID is GsimmonsSC. We can encourage each other.
