The out of line duck...

Here is another paragraph (from The Disciple Making Pastor by Bill Hull) which really challenged me. I was lead to answer the question, “Am I just a believer or am I follower?” Being a believer and being a follower are two different things… I’ve always told others that I was a disciple (a follower) of Jesus, yet after reading this paragraph, I questioned that… I realized that maybe not all my ducks were in a row like I thought they were…

“Disciples do more than simply believe; many believed in Christ, few followed Him. Few dropped their normal life routine to become followers. Note that up to 500 followed Him during the height of His popularity. Disciples made sacrifices to adjust their lifestyles to obey Christ; they were a breed apart. A disciple was and is a person of concrete action and commitment. Jesus characterized disciples as people of commitment and obedience. They also willingly suffered and shared in the work.”

Are all your ducks in a row like you think they are?

Cited in Hull, B.2007. The Disciple Making Pastor: Leading Other’s on the Journey of Faith. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books.

THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS OF LEADERSHIP

One of the books I’m reading as part of research for my thesis is “The 4 Pillars of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell. I’m not really that far into it yet, but I came across a passage which I found to be quite challenging. It made me think of how I go about my daily life… it made me think what I do on a day to day basis… it made me think about what my reasoning behind living life is on a day to day basis… and, it made me think of what you would think…

Enjoy…

THE PARADOXICAL COMMANDMENTS OF LEADERSHIP

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered – love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives – do good anyway.

If you’re successful, you’ll win false friends and true enemies – succeed anyway.

The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow – do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable – be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind – think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only hot dogs – fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight – build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you help them – help them anyway.

Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth – give the world the best that you have anyway.

If better is possible, then good is not enough.

Cited from Maxwell, J.C. 2008. The 4 Pillars of Leadership. Cape Town: Struik Christian Books. (Pages 23-24).

I'm back again...

Wow! It's already been over a month since my last post... College just kicked me in the ass and boy did I feel it. Stress caught up with me big time, even though I really tried to out run it. Seems like I just didn't run fast enough. Now because of all the stress surrounding assignments, presentations etc. my body just seems to have given up fighting and thus I feel like a dog... Why do people say they feel like a dog when in actual fact we have no idea what a dog feels like... just a thought...

I feel misrable and sick... this stupid cough just won't leave me alone despite whatever I do to try and rid itself of me... My close friends are all trying to do the vitamin C thing and feed me oranges... I've had 2 so far, we'll see if that number keeps growing.

Anyway, I began my pastoral practical yesterday which got off to a rather good start. I did the pastoral thing and I went to a conference, after all that's what all pastors do Monday to Fridays right? HAHAHA!!! It was a rather good conference, despite the fact that I'm not really into conferences that much. It was lead by a Dr. David Loveless, whom I don't really know a tremendous amount about, but none the less he was great. I'm not to sure which church he pastors but I do know that he works closely with Bill Hybels....

Well, I'm back and will hopeful be back to my normal posting habits... I look forward to chatting to you soon!

Websites (1 of 4)

This week I thought I would share a few of the websites which I have found to be interesting in various ways. Whether it be teaching me something new, a site where I can purchase things or just merely just a site that keeps me busy. There are loads of websites out there which are what I would consider to be awesome sites. Sadly, there are also those websites out there that just shouldn’t be there… enough said…

Kids Labels

The first website I came across is one which I bought stuff off of. Labels to be honest. What makes this site so interesting is the wonderful colours which hit your eye as soon as you log on and of course the little girl who greets you. Ok, I’m an animation fan, give me a break!!!

Not being one for the whole Christmas/birthday card concept, especially because of the prices surrounding them, I decided to give the gift labels a go. It really is difficult to get cards here (South Africa) at a reasonable price. The last time I wanted to get a card for a buddie of mine, I had to sell my tv. Hahaha, kidding… you get the idea!!!

Anyway, what made this site cool was the fact that I could design the labels the way I wanted. So, being the big birthday card fan I am, I decided to make some birthday labels. Honestly, I didn’t think they’d come out anywhere as good as what they did. They were amazing!!! The pics here are of the label which I created. It was good fun and I laughed for quite some time when I got them. In fact, I prefer giving these to my buddies instead of your standard card. It always causes them to laugh!!! Which then really makes my day…

Being so impressed with my labels, I decided to get my beautiful niece what KidsLabels refers to as a starter pack. Again they amazed me!!! I did the basic design work, through the site and was pleasantly surprised again. Basically a starter pack is aimed at kids around their early school years. In the pack I received labels for pens and pencils, clothing labels, shoes, school bag, lunch box etc. My sister was very pleased… Major points for me… You got kids in school? Brandon, Christi, Chris and Dana (I know you have little ones running around)!!! You guys have got to give these guys a go. I promise you, you will not be disappointed!!!

Don’t be afraid, go check KidsLabels out!!! What are your thoughts? Can you recommend any good sites?

The heart ache of a homeless woman...

This poem was written to the regional officer of Shelter by a homeless woman:

I was hungry,
And you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned,
And you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.
I was naked,
And in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.
I was sick,
And you knelt and thanked God for your health.
I was homeless,
And you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.
I was lonely,
And you left me alone to pray for me.
You seem so holy, so close to God
But I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

(Taken from “Issues facing Christian’s Today” by John Stott – 1984:19)

This poem broke my heart and really got me thinking of what my Christian values are. Am I really portraying the love of Christ, or am I portraying a religion? I felt sick to the core as I realized that I to like the regional officer have been focusing on more than one occasion, being holy rather then actually sharing the love I was so freely given.

How did you immediately feel after reading this poem? What are you portraying? Religion or Christ’s love?

Podcasts (5 of 5)

Mars Hill Podcast

Rob Bell is a well known teacher amongst leaders of the church of today. He is the author of two books, which have both blown my mind!!! The man is an incredible teacher. His two books are: Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith and Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connection between Sexuality and Spirituality. According to his publisher his newest book, Jesus Wants to Save Christians: A Manifesto for the Church in Exile, will be available in October 2008. He is also the guy behind the great teaching series known to us Nooma. Other projects which he’s apart of are: Everything is Spiritual and The Gods aren’t angry.

The Mars Hill Podcast is mostly teachings by Rob Bell from Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids. They average at around 40 minutes long and are very educational. Rob has always been one for history and so always gives his listeners great depth into what various passages of the Bible say. Occasionally Don Golden, the lead pastor of Mars Hill also gets involved and is also a great teacher.

Have you ever listened to a podcast supplied by Mars Hill? What were your thoughts? What podcasts do you subscribe to?

Podcasts (4 of 5)

LifeChurch.tv

If you’re looking for true and relevant teaching on how we should tackle the various things thrown at us in our lives today, look no further than LifeChurch.tv’s Message series video podcast. Unlike most Biblical teaching podcasts, LifeChurch.tv offers both the video and the audio. The video (which I’ve used more than the audio) is of a great quality and small in size which is great when your space is limited on the ipod! Craig Groeschel’s teaching, along with many others, is of a relevant nature. They’re serious but at the same time humorous, which keeps you wanting to come back for more.

The great thing about LifeChurch.tv’s podcasts, is the various options which one has. One is able to choose from various worship sets (which is great sets!!!), to mission updates (great stories!!!), to the format in which you’d like to view or listen to the message. LifeChurch.tv, a church about choice, certainly makes it come through in their podcasts! A great series of podcasts to subscribe to!!!

Have you ever listened to or watched a podcast supplied by LifeChurch.tv ? What were your thoughts? What podcasts do you subscribe to?