BLOG OF DAN

dan April 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

THE BOOKS ON MY SHELF SPEAK TO ME

“The books on my shelf speak to me.”

Books can speak truth, lead us to pray and worship, share with us a greater knowledge of Scripture and offer insight into living a godly life.

So…

1) Pick up a Book: “Whether you buy, download or borrow – you need to get your hands on great books.”

2) Have a Conversation with the Author: “When I begin reading a good book, I shed ink across the page like a wounded soldier in the midst of a battle. I want to leave my books bloody or be left bloody by the work of the book.”

3) Reflect, Apply and Discuss: “Don’t just read a book; listen to it. Reflect on what the author is claiming, arguing or asking… Attempt to apply to what you found most helpful… Talk to your friends about the book you are reading.”

“My shelves are full of mentors – faithful friends who never replace the community of the local church, but serve to supplement my growth as a I participate in the family of God.”

Filed Under: Pastor's Desk Tagged: Books, Reading

dan April 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

KIDS TALK: GENESIS (BIG READ #28)

The Big Read – Genesis

Powerpoint Pictures: Put the following words on slides – Origin; Outset; Commencement; Dawn; Start; Beginning; Genesis

What do the following words have in common? [Origin, outset, commencement, dawn, start, beginning] All these words can be used to mean the same thing. Can you think of another word that means beginning? [Genesis]

Genesis is the name of the first book of the Bible, and Genesis is a great name for this book, because this book is all about beginnings.

In Genesis we’re told about the beginning of creation, the beginning of humans, the beginning of work, the beginning of family, the beginning of sin, and the beginning of death.

Lots of beginnings we are told about.

But there is one more beginning Genesis tells us about, and this beginning is the most important one of all, and that’s the beginning of God’s promise to save us through the Lord Jesus. We don’t have to wait until the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – to hear about Him, because He’s here in Genesis too!

In Genesis 3, as God curses the serpent, He says, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

Here we are told about an offspring who will come and destroy the devil’s work, and as you go through the book of Genesis we learn other things about Jesus as well: That He’s like an ark that keeps us safe from God’s judgment; That He’s the Son a Father loves and is willing to sacrifice so blessing can come to the world; That He’s a King who will offer salvation to everyone who comes to Him.

Genesis is a great book because it contains the beginning of the gospel. It begins to make known the good news of what Jesus has done for us.

More talks from The Big Read for Kids can be found HERE

Filed Under: Kids Ministry Tagged: Genesis, Kids Talk, The Big Read

dan April 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

KIDS TALK: MARK 4:1-20 (BIG BIBLE ADVENTURE #67)

The Big Bible Adventure – Mark 4:1-20

Powerpoint Pictures: Hand behind ear; Someone wearing glasses; Ear with lots of earrings; Person balancing; Dumbo flying

What are some of the things you can use your ears for? [Hearing; Wearing Glasses; Decorating; Balancing; Flying]

Jesus has been travelling around doing lots of incredible things like turning water into wine, calling people to follow Him, healing those who were sick and forgiving sins. Something else He did a lot of was teach, and one way He taught people was by telling them stories or parables.

On one occasion He told a story about a farmer who scattered seed all over a field. Some of the seed landed on a path, some on rocky ground, some amongst thorns, and some on good soil. The seed that fell on the path, rocky ground, and among the thorns didn’t produce a crop, but the seed that fell on good soil did.

After telling this story, Jesus turned to the crowd, and said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9)

Why did He say this? The crowd surely had ears to hear, after all they heard Him tell the story. But what Jesus meant was do you understand what the story means?

The story wasn’t really about seed and soils. It was about how people respond to God’s Word about Jesus.

Jesus was saying that when people hear about Him, about who He is and all that He’s done, they will either follow Him like the seed that fell on good soil, or they won’t like the seed that fell on the path, rocky ground, and among thorns.

There are only two ways that people can respond to Jesus. Either they will follow Him or they will not.

More talks from The Big Bible Adventure can be found HERE.

Filed Under: Kids Ministry Tagged: All Stars, Assembly, Kids Talk, Mark

dan April 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

10 OF THOSE TUESDAY

Every Tuesday I want to highlight on this blog a great resource that is available from 10ofthose.com and some great deals for you to check out.

This week’s resource is a great new youth resource from Cassie Martin, Gain the Whole World?

Her first book for young people, Genuine, was outstanding and I’m expecting this one to be just as good. Here’s the blub: “We all have idols, things that creep into our hearts where only God should be. Whatever we’re chasing after, whether it’s money, sexual fulfilment, good grades, a shining future or everyone’s approval, all these things can out us in grave danger. Jesus asks, ‘What good is it to gain the world but lose your soul?’ This book helps us spot the hidden idols in our hearts and shows how Jesus is way better.”

Gain the Whole World? is available to buy HERE and while you’re visiting 10ofthose.com you might like to check out the latest offers on a number of resources to help you love Jesus.

Filed Under: Pinboard Tagged: 10ofthose.com

dan April 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

GREAT LEADERS ARE GREAT READERS

Mez McConnell:

“Any church leader worth his salt will always have a book on the go.

We must never stop thinking.

We must never stop learning.

We must never stop seeking to grow in our understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it to our specific cultural contexts.

It’s cheesy but true – “great leaders are great readers.”

Filed Under: Pastor's Desk Tagged: Leadership, Reading

dan April 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

WRITE IT DOWN. MAKE IT HAPPEN

Brian Howard:

“The simple act of writing down goals makes it much more likely that you will accomplish them… By writing down your goals you declare yourself in the game.”

I tend to think that this true not just for goals, but for anything you want to accomplish including mundane things on your “things to do today” list.

So write it down.

Then make it happen.

Filed Under: Pastor's Desk Tagged: Productivity

dan April 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

KINDLE DEAL

Here’s another great kindle deal:

The Church: The Gospel Made Visible (Mark Dever) – 77p

Get it quick before it is gone!

Filed Under: Pinboard Tagged: Kindle

dan April 22, 2014 Leave a Comment

THE FAITHFUL PASTOR

Who is a faithful pastor?

Jon Payne:

“He believes the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He fights for personal holiness.
He leads and loves his wife and children, if God gives him a family.
He proclaims the whole counsel of God.
He loves all of God’s people.
He fights for personal holiness.
He pursues growth in pastoral skill in private and in public.
He shares the gospel and seeks an evangelistic church.
He loves new believers, old believers, doubting believers, and unbelievers.
He denounces the evils of the age.
He is willing to care for a small church or a large church.
He is willing to care for a weak church or a strong church.
He is willing to be known or unknown for Christ.
He is willing to listen to criticism and he loves his enemies.
He is unwilling to sacrifice convictions for popularity.
He rejoices in those with greater and lesser gifts than himself.
He may or may not be an eloquent speaker, but he clearly teaches truth.
He may or may not be a brilliant counselor, but he clearly counsels truth.
He may or may not be be a creative genius, but he loves creative Christians.
He may or may not be an administrative powerhouse, but his church is ordered by the Word.
He may or may not be well loved, but he loves the Savior.
He may or may not be remembered, but he will receive the crown of glory.
He may or may not consider himself a faithful pastor, but he will hear “Well Done.”