I’ve found a new hobby. I have found absolute delight in digging up older books on youth ministry – books from the 70’s and 80’s. Much of what I find I purchase for a couple of bucks from some obscure website and they’re usually shipped from places in the world I can only wish I might one day visit.
Most recently I came across a book by Stephen Jones called, Faith Shaping: Youth and the Experience of Faith (Judson Press, 1987). Some of you may remember it when it came out. Me? Nope. I was a freshman in high school at the time it was released.
Faith Shaping is full of little nuggets that are not only relevant for today but are required for people who work with today’s youth. Probably the most helpful morsel of the book for me was chapter 9 on culture shaping. In this chapter, Jones reminds his readers “We will not do justice to adolescents unless we help them consider the shape of their emerging faith in relation to their culture.” (P.89)
So, what exactly is the task of culture shaping? I mean, I have some ideas but I’d rather hear from those of you wrestling with similar observances and experiments. How can we move away from our tendencies to manufacture and manipulate? What are the essential aspects of culture shaping? Is it even possible to really allow students to shape their culture or do they need some kind of adult influence to assure that it gets done? Are we (or more specifically, am I) crazy to think that youth workers should rely more on students to shape the emerging culture and less on our own assumptions, preferences and opinions?
When I first began in youth ministry (almost 15 years ago) “peer-to-peer” ministry was the buzzword. The purpose of peer-to-peer ministry was to influence students in order that they might influence their friends. It wasn’t an altogether inherently bad idea. After all, isn’t this what Jesus did with his disciples? Didn’t Jesus find influencers and allow them to do the influencing? Actually, no, this isn’t what Jesus did. Jesus called mere fisherman, ordinary people to follow him. He was present with them incarnating himself for the mission of God. Yes, certainly to influence others but not solely limited to influence. Jesus called his disciples to shape the culture and move it toward becoming a Kingdom culture.
Most often youth workers who talked about and built “peer to peer” ministry models functioned with the idea that to influence students meant we had to create consumers who bought what we were selling and who conformed to the culture that we created. The mistake in this concept wasn’t the motive to influence or even the call to conform to a culture (that was often mere words and abstractions). The biggest mistake was seeing students as the tool or the agenda and not seeing them as “persons-in-culture” (P.90) who were “not only recipients of culture but also shapers of it.” We trusted students enough to bring their friends to our Friday night outreach events but we didn’t (generally speaking, of course) trust them enough to allow them to shape the culture through their communal and personal faith — a faith that “offers the criteria against which to evaluate one’s participation in culture and the courage, when necessary, to be countercultural.” (P. 90) We called students to live counter culturally, but we didn’t trust the students we were supposedly influencing to really shape the culture so we tended to manufacture and manipulate.
I don’t really hear the phrase “peer to peer” much anymore. I don’t think it is because we’ve stopped doing youth ministry in that fashion. Nor do I think it is because we’ve stumbled upon another, better model either. Honestly, I think for many it was one of those things that either “sounded cool at the time” or just never really “worked” so we’ve abandoned the language. Most youth ministries still operate under the mindset that if I can just influence the right student(s) I can use them to share the message of Jesus with their friends. This doesn’t shape the culture it simply and most often temporarily keeps a few of our students interested and engaged.
The trend we commonly understand as ‘youth leaving the church’ isn’t primarily about the churches tendency toward abandonment, a rise in the influence of media or the Internet or the inability to reach a post-literate generation through traditional methods. Rather, it is primarily an issue of doubt and distrust.
We (youth workers) have not believed in and trusted the Holy Spirit’s ministry and movements enough among youth to allow youth to be the shapers of their culture. Instead, we’ve tried to shape the culture ourselves. This tragic mistake has led several decades of youth toward finding ways outside of the church to practice their faith and shape their culture. This is why students are graduating and not coming back. (Note: I just read the galley copy of Andy Root’s upcoming book called, Unfiltered Relationships. Look for this book from YS/Zondervan this fall. Andy covers the topics above — especially that of “influencing students” — in great detail.)
In the late 80’s and early 90’s I began to notice youth ministries were going corporate.
They brought in consultants, constantly reorganized, renamed and rebranded themselves, gave new titles and job descriptions out by the bucketful, and created new buzzword after new buzzword.
And things really haven’t advanced much from there it seems.
We’re always ‘rethinking’, burnishing our image, positioning ourselves as leaders (or as those who ‘produce leaders’) or coming up with a new mission statement of some sort.
I don’t think corporate methods have worked all that well. Are we making disciples?
I like your sense that we need to rely on the Spirit’s ministry. Unless the LORD build the house……
I don’t have all the answers. (I think sometimes we’ve wanted to, or wanted others to think we do.) But He does. I must rely on Him.
I collect youth ministry books that are older than me (1969 & older). The oldest is from 1892 “Lads & Lassies from the Bible: Sermons for Young Folks”.
You’d love looking through them, too. Looking forward to your book and Root’s.
[...] Spirit as of June 6, 2009 Posted by John Burton in Related Stories on 06 6th, 2009 | View commentsComments Examen Thyself – Bevo 28 – bryansblog.typepad.com 06/06/2009 Self reflection questions that JohnWesley and the early Methodists used in pursuing spiritual growth, personal holiness and social holiness. I would encourage you to reflect on one question each day asking the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the matter and then asking for help in the specific area of growth you have need Breaking Open the News for Feast of the Most Holy Trinity—B – teamrcia.com 06/06/2009 To see how you might use one of these points in your catechesis, read “How to lead a 90-minute catechetical session … , and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…. ( Mt 28:16-20 ) In the tradition A basic duty every human person Imputed Or Imparted – Which? – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 One of the greatest debates amongst those who claim to be “Christian,” amongst various denominations, is this: … the work of the Holy Spirit in a sinner to give that sinner spiritual life (a principle of life … satisfaction to God’s holy law and inflexible justice worked out and provided by God Righteousness: Imputed Or Imparted – Which? – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 One of the greatest debates amongst those who claim to be “Christian,” amongst various denominations, is this: … the work of the Holy Spirit in a sinner to give that sinner spiritual life (a principle of life … satisfaction to God’s holy law and inflexible justice worked out and provided by God A Study Of Philippians 3:1-11 – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 This is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Bible. Here we have a clear description of the doctrine of justification based on the imputed righteousness of Christ without the deeds of the law. We also see one of the greatest examples of saving faith and true repentance in this autobiographical sketch of Paul’s conversion Justifying Faith And True Repentance – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 This is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Bible. Here we have a clear description of the doctrine of justification based on the imputed righteousness of Christ without the deeds of the law. We also see one of the greatest examples of saving faith and true repentance in this autobiographical sketch of Paul’s conversion A Study Of Philippians 3:1-11 – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 This is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Bible. Here we have a clear description of the doctrine of justification based on the imputed righteousness of Christ without the deeds of the law. We also see one of the greatest examples of saving faith and true repentance in this autobiographical sketch of Paul’s conversion Justifying Faith And True Repentance – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 This is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Bible. Here we have a clear description of the doctrine of justification based on the imputed righteousness of Christ without the deeds of the law. We also see one of the greatest examples of saving faith and true repentance in this autobiographical sketch of Paul’s conversion GARY GILLEY: SPIRITUAL FORMATION SYSTEM OF RICHARD FOSTER DERIVED FROM COUNTER-REFORMATION MYSTICS – apprising.org 06/06/2009 The Disciplines recommended by Foster, as well as his whole spiritual formation system, are derived from the mystics … attentiveness to the heart of God” (p. 73) we allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us beyond the written … and peace in the Holy Spirit seem to flow from us, simply, naturally” (p. xi). While Foster GARY GILLEY: SPIRITUAL FORMATION SYSTEM OF RICHARD FOSTER DERIVED FROM COUNTER-REFORMATION MYSTICS – reformata.org 06/06/2009 Click the post title to be taken to the source. The Disciplines recommended by Foster, as well as his whole spiritual formation system, … , but through imagination and “attentiveness to the heart of God” (p. 73) we allow the Holy Spirit … are in their place. Love and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit seem to flow from us, simply, naturally” And the Tears Flowed… – bonya.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Erev Shabbat settled with peace… the kind that radiates from deep within… the kind that bubbles up with hope and contentment–regardless of life’s … from our eyes story after story, prayer after prayer, I saw the Holy Spirit on Elisabeth in a new way … in our hearts connecting us to His Spirit and the hopes and dreams of each other… in a gathering Ecumenicalism on the downlow? – gcmwatch.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 The ecumenical Christian group, Christian Churches Together in the USA (CCT-USA) says what you believe about homosexuality isnt important to join them as long as you believe in the trinity. According to CCT leader, homosexuality is too divisive to determine whether or not a church is a legitimate Christian organization A Clear Understanding Of Gospel Repentance – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Gospel repentance is a repentance which comes as the gift of God by the Holy Spirit as He enlightens our minds to the Gospel — God’s promise to save guilty, defiled, hell-deserving sinners, freely give them all of salvation (including the work of the Holy Spirit in them), and entitle them to all of heaven and final glory based solely upon So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church –Day 5 – icrucified.com 06/06/2009 Part 3: The Incarnational Life: God’s No – continued I picked up my reading from Part Three of So Beautiful with chapter twelve and it … This is it: allowing permission to the Spirit A Clear Understanding Of Gospel Repentance – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Gospel repentance is a repentance which comes as the gift of God by the Holy Spirit as He enlightens our minds to the Gospel — God’s promise to save guilty, defiled, hell-deserving sinners, freely give them all of salvation (including the work of the Holy Spirit in them), and entitle them to all of heaven and final glory based solely upon God Completes Salvation – vahskresenye.solideogloria.com 06/06/2009 Karl Rahner, “He Is the One Who Started It” [from Biblical Homilies ] [Speaking of Philippians 1:6-11] We are all the work that God the Father has begun in his grace through Christ Jesus in the Holy Spirit. He has begun the good work in us, we have not. But he has begun it through our freedom “Sanctification And Belief Of The Truth” – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, … and belief of the truth:The instrument or the means by which God the Holy Spirit brings a regenerated … of salvation is revealed to sinners by the Holy Spirit. It is God’s message of grace to guilty “The Thriller in Manila!” – earlymorningmanna.com 06/06/2009 (Heading photo – New shofar sounds erupted in Manila) Shalom Friends and Fellow Warriors, Dalit and I just returned from a huge Shavuot (Pentecost) gathering in the Manila, Philippines where over 10,000 people packed out the largest convention center in that country! This event was birthed by Grace Gupana ( A Study Of 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, … and belief of the truth:The instrument or the means by which God the Holy Spirit brings a regenerated … of salvation is revealed to sinners by the Holy Spirit. It is God’s message of grace to guilty A Study Of 2 Thessalonians 2:13 – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Thessalonians 2:13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, … and belief of the truth:The instrument or the means by which God the Holy Spirit brings a regenerated … of salvation is revealed to sinners by the Holy Spirit. It is God’s message of grace to guilty Trinity Sunday – christian-journey.com 06/06/2009 Jun6 lilian on June 6th, 2009 It is Trinity Sunday. It is a day when we Christians acknowledge the Holy Trinity which consists of God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit. Something that some other faiths often argue A Study Of 2 Corinthians 4:6 – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, … God the Holy Spirit gives us one of the most comprehensive statements in the Bible concerning … by the truth of the Gospel in the power of God the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is God’s promise of eternal A Day In The Life Of Your Pastor: Friday June 6th, 2009 – imagebearer.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Remember to read from the bottom up and the time is two hours behind. I am going to try and fix that today … waiting for the rain to start. I love the rain, reminds me so much of the filling of The Holy Spirit The Glory Of God In The Gospel – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, … God the Holy Spirit gives us one of the most comprehensive statements in the Bible concerning … by the truth of the Gospel in the power of God the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is God’s promise of eternal The Glory Of God In The Gospel – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, … God the Holy Spirit gives us one of the most comprehensive statements in the Bible concerning … by the truth of the Gospel in the power of God the Holy Spirit. The Gospel is God’s promise of eternal World People, Victory, for Ever, Universe I – sleepsogood.com 06/06/2009 More than 100 pages WORLD PEOPLE PHYSICS UNIVERSE THEORY ALL WORLD PEOPLE, WORLD, PHYSICS, UNIVERSE Please read all of the contents, UNIVERSE, PHYSICS – WORLD PEOPLE All countries leaders lays down â??five fundamentals of freedomâ??: freedom from fear, of information, of religion, of expression, and from want NO SALVATION OUTSIDE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH – givehimyourheart.blogspot.com 06/06/2009 † JMJ image courtesy of: http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/a_closer_look_at_wildli…; Ecumenism is error, and always has been up until the election of Pope John XII. Lord Jesus have mercy on his soul and ours: There is no salvation outside of The Catholic Church. The Church of Jesus Christ IS The Catholic Church Colchester – eardstapa.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Kelvedon ? Stambourne ? Colchester ? Lavenham ? Dedham ? Maldon By the time Spurgeon was fifteen years old, the family were living in Colchester, and Spurgeon was a student at Newmarket Academy, not too far away. His father was the honorary pastor of the church in Tollesbury, about eleven miles from Colchester The Liberal Roots of the Emergent Church – timothy.servantsofjesuschrist.com 06/06/2009 By Eric Barger Over a century ago spiritual liberalism swept through the once-sound mainline denominations, wreaking theological havoc on anyone in its path. Once solid and fundamentally based seminaries became infested with the liberal teachings of the so-called “German Enlightenment” and before long heretical intellectualism, The gospel – revealing justification by faith – Romans 3v21-31 – eaocholi.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 The gospel not only reveals the depravity of man, the wrath of God and the judgement that has come as a result and that is coming at the end of time, … for me through the indwelling power of your Holy Spirit. AMEN. Message From God – dailypushup.com 06/06/2009 I’ve had to deal with more than one person who has taken the approach of, “I don’t interpret the Bible the same way you do,” and, … not be defended, the Holy Spirit trump card gets played. The argument is that if the Spirit communicated … speaks against that. This idea of the Spirit being superior to the Word is even part Friday Night at Coram Deo 09 – benbinger.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 It is almost 1:30a, Saturday, June 6th. I had hoped to go to bed and forget the nagging reminder to blog this, but I have been unable to shake this moment. I am beyond any accumulation of words to describe what God has done at our Coram Deo camp so far. I am simply soaking up the memories of what God did tonight Touched by God – santos.ph 06/06/2009 Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic … for people (catch the people if they fall under the power and love of the Holy Spirit). I got a taste Morning Prayer 6.6.09, 1st Book of Common Prayer, 1549 – dailyoffice.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Their sound has gone out to all lands, and their message to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:4 INVITATORY AND PSALTER Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm 100 Jubilate Pins and Needles: Acupuncture, Part 2 – theresurgence.com 06/06/2009 Acupuncture Series: Click | View Series The Source for Christian Practioners Of course, … is God Supreme through Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. For other religious systems … Jesus Christ is our High Priest and provided the standard of holy, unadulterated healing in his healing Are You a Fuck Up? Take This Simple Test…. – christiansontheclock.org 06/06/2009 Right about 3 minutes ago, some Christian person was freaking out … and wondered if that verse about blaspheming the holy spirit is true? This is one of those where I’d liek ENCOUNTER – vatopaidi.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 St. Herman of Alaska. A beautiful full color children’s book about America’s favorite saint.By Fr. Eric George TosiChairman of the Department of EvangelizationSource: St. Paul the Apostle Orthodox ChurchThere is a story from the Russian Philokalia about two monks SHMILY/PPW Day 5 – hljourney.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Day 5 of SHMILY Time journey with Amy at Dandelion Seeds and a group of women on Facebook , … on God’s perfect timing while lifting situations up in prayer. When His time comes the Holy Spirit My Gospel Reflections for Sunday June 7: Matthew 28:16-20 – mjdasma.blogspot.com 06/06/2009 My Reflections: We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. It teaches us that there are three divine persons in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit three … disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit teaching Q & A Day – Modesty – titus2atthewell.com 06/06/2009 Monday, for our Gathering at The Well topic, we looked a little bit into how we dress. Today we are going to answer a question sent in by one of our readers on this topic: I was wondering how you view the Bible’s take on modesty? I was raised very conservative and still dress alot differently than the world, Reaching For Him – dennisjadams.info 06/06/2009 The Lord has promised to be with us at all times (Hebrews 13:5) . He has never and will never forsake one of His children … that the Holy Spirit brings into our lives cannot be compared to what this world can bring. If every individual would seek His holiness and realize that the power of the Holy Spirit will be found The Most Holy Trinity I – cusan.org 06/06/2009 – Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator Most of us would identify God the Father as the Creator, God the Son as the Redeemer, and God the Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier, dividing the “job” of being God into the triadic … as what God has done for us. We call God Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is One and Three. Humanly The Doha Anglican Church – intlxpatr.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Back in Doha, church at the same time as always but for once, we are late because we didn’t realize the traffic pattern had changed, and we got lost, … , that is also the work of the holy spirit.” “It was so gradual!” she exclaimed. “I thought … It’s all a question of style, how the holy spirit comes to each individual, how we believe. It isn’ Sermon Notes: John 14: 22-31 – intellectusfidei.blogspot.com 06/06/2009 The question from Judas is very important to understand. His question is, ” But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” What Judas is getting at is that he learnt through the Old Testament that the coming of the Messiah and arrival of God’s kingdom was to be an undeniable, MAS May09 I. – hopeipoh.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer On Familiar Terms – catholicexchange.com 06/06/2009 We grow so accustomed to and familiar with certain things that we risk losing sight of their significance … and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” We say these words so frequently that it may surprise … and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The words provide a glimpse, first of all, into the nature of God Made in the Image of God – catholicexchange.com 06/06/2009 Dt 4:32-24, 39-40 / Rom 8:14-17 / Mt 28:16-20 Moses: “Ask now of the days of old, before your time, ever since God created man upon the earth; … in the image and likeness of God. The Church, in her wisdom and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit has called us to proclaim this great mystery immediately following the conclusion of the Easter The public and the private – firstcomeslove.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 April and May seem like a blur. We’ve been busy around here and that explains, in part, why I haven’t been posting … by the Holy Spirit, the former can be a powerful lever in the life of another. But like Mother The Rev. Matthew L. Whitehead: “Love, Knowledge and Peace” (John 15:15-31) – prydain.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 From the Rev. Matthew L. Whitehead of Christ Anglican Church in Arkansas, here is a sermon for Pentecost titled Love, Knowledge and Peace , … of love in this portion: Because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Church possesses a kind … , they cannot receive the Holy Spirit because their minds are not able to comprehend what is unseen A Storms A Brewin’ – patrickandchristy.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 There was a time when Christy and I owned a condo at Carolina Beach. It wasn’t beachfront nor luxurious but from our living room we had a open view of the ocean and from our bedroom we could lay in bed and watch the sailboats gliding by on the Sound. For a young, childless, fiancially broke married couple, it was a dream Elisha Followed Elijah to Capture His Anointing – seerofgod.com 06/06/2009 Jun 5 Elisha Followed Elijah to Capture His Anointing “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, … is what Holy Spirit revealed to me today. I did the same thing when an angel appeared to me in a dream Cherubim and their part in protecting God’s Holiness – truelightministries.org 06/06/2009 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; Gospel Preached, Sinners Weep and Plead for Mercy – newdemonstration.com 06/06/2009 I was supposed to post an excerpt from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening today … know the right. My heart, and my whole spirit are stirred for you.My harshest words are far more full Youth Ministry & The Task of Culture Shaping – anewkindofyouthministry.com 06/06/2009 I’ve found a new hobby. I have found absolute delight in digging up older books on youth ministry – books from the 70’s and 80’s. Much of what I find I purchase for a couple of bucks from some obscure website and they’re usually shipped from places in the world I can only wish I might one day visit Element Church And The Twisting Of John 17:21 – thomastwitchell.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 I have spoken about issues surrounding the Element Church in Cheyenne, a Perfectionist Wesleyan Holiness church … in Jesus Christ Compare that to their statement on assurance of security in salvation: The Holy The Church of Guns – fruitfly.wordpress.com 06/06/2009 Ken Pagano, Pastor of New Bethel Church of Louisville, KY has great new plans for the upcoming Fourth of July services: … to reflect the Holy Spirit as the service moved your soul. Pastor Pagano seems to have figured out how to ignore God this upcoming Fourth of July. He’s bringing his own new and improved Holy Trinity Introduction to Biblical Counseling – mynameisrush.com 06/06/2009 About 10 years ago, my view of life’s problems and solutions shifted drastically … of a transformation of myself and my wife by the Holy Spirit, I came to realize the error of my ways … , prayer, and the Holy Spirit are inadequate and simplistic resources for dealing with certain “ Re: [Church_of_Christ] Re: Truth for the world – familyofgodchrist.blogspot.com 06/06/2009 To Clay You are so right. Just like they did in the first century. Have you been reading the same book I am reading? … together and maybe pick some of our older one’s that were full of The Holy Spirit to lead Saturday, June 6, 2009Ini Kopuria – stpauls-medina.org 06/05/2009 At St. Paul’s Parish: The June issue of St. Paul’s Epistle , our monthly newsletter, is available on line as a … of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen Susie Wanted Dinner – newhopeoutreach.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 By Sharon Merhalski Ron had the day off from work and decided to meet his family’s need for food when they came home that evening. He thought about what to prepare and decided to make a large dinner for the family instead of hamburgers on the grill Susie Wanted Dinner – dannimoss.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 This is so good, I got permission to repost it. ~~~By Sharon MerhalskiRon had the day off from work and decided to meet his family’s need for food when they came home that evening. He thought about what to prepare and decided to make a large dinner for the family instead of hamburgers on the grill [Church_of_Christ] Sermon: Doing What We Need To Do – familyofgodchrist.blogspot.com 06/05/2009 Doing What We Need To Do SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Sam. 15:1-35 TURN TO PASSAGE Introduction: 1. When people know they are going to be tested about something, many will try to study beforehand. But “pop-quizzes” are a type of test that gives very little if any warning. What if God were testing our obedience to his word? “america is not a christian, jewish, or muslim nation…” – eugenecho.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 What did you think of President Obama’s speech at the Turkish Press Conference? And this quote from his speech:…”American is not a Christian, Jewish, or Muslim nation…”Here’s the above sentence in the larger context: I think that where — where there’s the most promise of building stronger U.S Passionate Ashley on Pentacost and being given words to speak – quackquack.org 06/05/2009 Passionate Ashley on Pentacost and being given words to speak : I see many parallels between Pentecost and Quaker worship. We gather and wait in a house for the Holy Spirit to come upon us, and we speak as the Spirit prompts us. We may not literally see tongues… June 7th Trinity Sunday – tlpc.org 06/05/2009 Sermon Text: John 3:1-17 Sermon Title: “Birth” Sermon Notes: In this scripture Jesus teaches a secret evening visitor about the kingdom of God … to be born again from above by the power of the water and the Holy Spirit and how that new birth changes adulthood- forced trama – ruthannfloyd.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 so recently i’ve been forced to be an adult more than i like … but wait… there is someone doing that in my life, try the Holy Spirit. So my prayer for this summer is that God would continue to fill me with the Holy Spirit. i have a bad habit of trying to ignore that guy Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-05 – travelersarpchurch.org 06/05/2009 Our chief purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. How are we a conduit for the Holy Spirit to do that? # Everyone who receives the Lord Jesus Christ as thier savior are filled with the Holy Spirit … he was speaking of The Holy Spirit, cementing the doctrine of the Trinity. # Today’s sermon is entitled, “ Holy Spirit Baptism – frustrationfactor.com 06/05/2009 Jun 5, 2009 Self-Improvement and Self-Help By: Rodney Howard BrowneReceiving the Baptism of t… Rodney Howard Browne Talks about the Holy Spirit – frustrationfactor.com 06/05/2009 Jun 5, 2009 Self-Improvement and Self-Help By: Rodney Howard Browne There are mentioned in t… What I understand about Christianity – noholdsbarred4everlove.blogspot.com 06/05/2009 After some time I embraced Christianity… It’s time for me to make a note. I’m not turning back. Christianity is more than a religion … is the Creator, while the Son refers to Jesus Christ. Together with God the Holy Spirit, they make … . He is holy, and at the same time, He wants to identify Himself with His creations, putting Himself Islam versus Christianity – sibbyonline.blogs.com 06/05/2009 In a comment regarding my post on Obama’s speech in Cairo, Braden said this: Your ignorance of Islam is amazing … nothing about. Tell me, Sibby, which holy book contains more mentions of the Virgin Mary, the Bible … , it explicitly prohibits it. Jesus is viewed as Holy, as the Son of God, and as the savior of the world Christian Clergy Rally on Opposite Sides of Gay Marriage Debate – jesuslives.co.za 06/05/2009 From Christian Post Less than a week after a group of clergy and Christians asked for a referendum to keep same-sex marriages from being … who launched a declaration, affirming same-sex marriage as “holy and good.” “Our religious traditions Prayer Bunker – ywammendocino.org 06/05/2009 One of our core desires is for The Lord’s Land to be a dwelling place–a habitation–for God’s Spirit. We want this land to be irresistible to the Holy Spirit. This happens when we commit to a lifestyle of prayer. As a ministry, we have been energized by the recent worldwide movement of 24/7 The Nature And Scope Of Justification – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 Most everyone who claims to be “Christian” will agree that a sinner must be justified in order to be saved and go to Heaven … a holy and just God. In the sense of being declared righteous, justification is evidential, i.e The Nature And Scope Of Justification – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 Most everyone who claims to be “Christian” will agree that a sinner must be justified in order to be saved and go to Heaven … a holy and just God. In the sense of being declared righteous, justification is evidential, i.e God’s Breath Given to Us by Henri Nouwen – helenl.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 Being the living Christ today means being filled with the same Spirit that filled Jesus. Jesus and his Father are breathing the same breath, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit … wants to give us. That is the gift of his Holy Spirit. Living a spiritual life , therefore, means There’s silence, and then there’s the way I operate. – seatongarrett.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 Henri Nouwen in, “The Way of the Heart”, relates a story told of one of the desert fathers, Diadochus of Photiki … , as it no longer has the Holy Spirit to keep its understanding free from fantasy. Ideas of value always shun Acts 27 The Holy Spirit Will Lead One to a Storm – seekingthetruth.podbean.com 06/05/2009 Jesus gave a parable about a house built upon sand and a house built upon a rock and the storm that beat upon both. See this parable come to life in the life of Paul in this 27th chapter of Acts. Acts 28 I Can do all Things through Christ which Strengthen Me – seekingthetruth.podbean.com 06/05/2009 Final chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and the Holy Spirit. Learn exactly what this popular phrase meant as we continue to explore the life and trials of Paul the Apostle. A Short Study Of John 12:32 – testallthings.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 John 12:32“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all (men) unto me … .(4) In the sinner’s heart by the Holy Spirit in regeneration and conversion (the new birth) that the sinner might A Short Study Of John 12:32 – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 John 12:32“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all (men) unto me … .(4) In the sinner’s heart by the Holy Spirit in regeneration and conversion (the new birth) that the sinner might Christ Lifted Up – savedbyhisblood.wordpress.com 06/05/2009 John 12:32“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all (men) unto me … .(4) In the sinner’s heart by the Holy Spirit in regeneration and conversion (the new birth) that the sinner might RSSdoodle by The Lessnau Lounge. Results provided by Technorati. Share: [...]
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Thanks for a great acticle, I will pass this on to my patients…
found your blog yesterday and I’m diving in; thanks for your work, life , and Jesus-following; one plea for help here: change your background color so old fogies like me can read it more quickly. THANKS
Just a quick thought…Barna says something like 80% of churched kids are leaving the faith after their first year in college. I wouldn’t say the issue is doubt or distrust – its parents not fulfilling their God given mandate to disciple their children (Deut 6). We tend to think it is the government schools job to teach and the churches job to preach…missing the whole responsibility that parents, especially fathers, have been given.