My Thoughts Inexactly (06/11/16)

NOTES:

• Today's subject is "missions."
• Make missions convention one of the highlights on your church's annual calendar.
• Pray this way:  "Lord, what do you want me to give?"  Don't pray, "Lord, do you want me to give?"  Of course He does!  The worse thing you can do is to not pray about giving.
• Hell is hot, eternity is forever, time is running out and opportunities have never been so grand and varied.
• Opportunity is everywhere.  We must quickly and wisely distribute the message.
• What is your best idea for promoting missions?
• This resource from Joshua Project contains a wealth of information and ideas.

My Thoughts Inexactly (04/30/16)

NOTES:

• Today's subject is the word 'why.'
• Investigating the word 'why' initially produces more questions than answers.
• When you do something without answering 'why', you can easily get into a rut.
• Don't change things just to say you changed them.
• If you don't know why you are doing 'this', then there is a possibility you shouldn't be doing 'this' this way.
• Allow the questions to lead you to better answers.
• As you investigate 'why', don't rush the process.

My Thoughts Inexactly (04/23/16)

NOTES:

• Today's subject is pastoral frustration.
• You know better than to take out your frustration on your congregants, children or spouse.
• My fear is that a pastor will take out his frustration on himself.  Frustration that is not released in a healthy manner becomes self-sabotage.
• It is the behavior of people that is frustrating.  To keep this in perspective, I must always remember, "On any given Sunday, I could be someone else's greatest frustration."
• "Ten Common Frustrations of Pastors" by Thom Rainer / http://thomrainer.com/2016/02/ten-common-frustrations-of-pastors/
• "Seven Most Frustrating Things Pastors Face" by Ron Edmondson / http://www.ronedmondson.com/2013/06/7-most-frustrating-things-pastors-face.html
• "The Most Frustrating Thing About Being A Pastor" by Justin Deeter / http://www.justindeeter.com/archives/2349

My Thoughts Inexactly (03/26/16)

NOTES:

1. Today's subject is 'perspective.'
2. Whatever 'it' is, it could be worse; the fact that it isn't means I'm blessed.
3. 'It' isn't as bad is it could be: therefore, some grace has already been shown.
4. Don't downplay your suffering or anyone else's, but confess the truth:  'It' could be worse, 'it' isn't; God's gracious and good; the fact 'it' isn't worse means I'm blessed.

RESOURCES:

1. It Could Be Worse. Comparatory Suffering? by Steve Piscitelli
2. It Could Be Worse by Ceil Ryan
3. It Could Always Be Worse: A Yiddish Folktale by Margot Zemach

My Thoughts Inexactly(03/19/16)

NOTES:

1. Today's subject is the cross.  More specifically the subject is "The Cross In Your Preaching."
2. Is the cross blending in too easily?  If so, why?  
3. In your preaching, does the cross blend in or stand out?
4. Is the work of the cross permeating your preaching?
5. Let's make sure the cross doesn't get lost in the cause.

RESOURCES:

1. Preaching The Cross by Mark Dever et al.  You can buy the book here.
2. Proclaiming A Cross-Centered Theology by Mark Dever et al.  You can buy the book here.
3. "Preaching The Cross" by International Bible Teaching Ministries
4. "Preaching The Cross" by Alistair Begg
5. "The Preaching Of The Cross" by Rolfe Barnard

My Thoughts Inexactly (03/12/16)

NOTES:

1. Today's subject is "expectations."
2. Each person to whom you minister has expectations of you.  It can be crushing sometimes, working beneath all those expectations.  (Of course, there are a lot of "perks" too.)
3. You can't allow the opinions of everyone else to determine how and why you "do" ministry.
4. Be as accommodating as you can, but don't live under the pressure of trying to fulfill every expectation.
5. There is no way, no matter how gifted you are, that you can possibly live up to every expectation of every person.
6. Instead of being liked, it is better that you are respected.

RESOURCES:

• Ten Things Members Desire In A Pastor
• Expectations For A Pastor
• What Do Lay People Want In Pastors?
• Healthy Churches, Faithful Pastors by David Keck.  Get the book here.

My Thoughts Inexactly (03/05/16)

The episode is too large to host on my blog.  You can view the file here.

NOTES

1. The subject of this episode is assumption.
2. Assumption often dictates behavior -- knowingly or unknowingly.
3. John 6:9
4. What are your assumptions?
5. Assumption won't necessarily create an opportunity you want, but assumption can quickly kill one.

My Thoughts Inexactly (02/27/16)

NOTES

1. Today's subject is "fishing" - getting ready to maximize the season between Palm Sunday and Pentecost Sunday.  This episode is more of a pep talk than a nuts-and-bolts guide.
2. Just a reminder that Easter is four weeks from tomorrow.  I hope you've already started praying and planning.
3. Don't hesitate to go where the fish are, but realize that, this time of year, many "fish" will come to you.  Be ready for them.
4. Don't dread this busy time.  Sure, it takes a lot out of you, but the reward will be worth it.  Get excited about this most opportune time!

My Thoughts Inexactly (02/20/16)

NOTES:

1. The subject of this episode is reverence.
2. We live in an informal culture.  We want people to relax and feel at home.  Have we gotten too relaxed in church?
3. Is God still the Guest of Honor in His own House?
4. The Holy Spirit is powerful, yet He allows Himself to be grieved easily.
5. To reverence the Holy Spirit, let us minimize distractions so we can maximize attention.
6. What might happen if the Holy Spirit believed that we believe He is the Guest of Honor?