Daily Archives: February 24, 2012
Announcing the Made to Crave Ministry Kit Winners
I have picked the five winners of the ministry kit and will post their names a below. However, I feel that if each person follows through for the next 40 days with what they wrote, every one will be a winner. Cheesy, very much so…but true. The majority of comments fell into 3 categories:
- Listening to God via his Word or his Spirit
- Talking to God on a daily basis
- Carving out time to spend with God as a family
Honestly, what would the next 40 days look like if we each did this? Many of you commented about being stay-at-home moms, having crazy schedules with kids, and wanting more time with God as a family or couple. What would you, your marriage, your family, and our churches look like if we all did these three things the next 40 days? I’ve never done this, but after reading the comments, I really would like to pray for you all:
Jesus, you see the hearts of each of these people, and know their desire for you. We long for you but like children are easily distracted and lose focus. Please focus out minds, our hearts, and our time on and for you, not only for the next 40 days, but for all our lives. Thank you for meeting us and desiring relationship more than we do, and thank you for forgiving us for getting distracted. We love you Jesus. Amen.
Thank you all for your comments. Here are the randomly chosen winners:
- Erin
I am working to have an extended time of Bible study and prayer time each and every day, and also I just started volunteering at a local women’s shelter every few weeks.
Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome study! I am the head of a women’s ministry at a large church, and we would LOVE to have this to share with our ladies!
- Shannon
Our family is stepping out in faith and I am struggling with a bunch of different emotions and fears. I want to be on my knees and in His word to put to death all off the fears and anxiety.
- Becky
I am seeking guidance. I know that God has a plan for my next step. I am determined to overcome my addiction to food. I take it one day at a time, one bite at a time and turn it over to God. God has given me the courage to share my past with others. I was always afraid to share for fear of being judged, but I know that what God has helped me to overcome can help someone.
- Andrea
I’m making more time to read my Bible but also keeping track of my prayers…remembering to thank Him for my many blessings.
- Amanda
I want to make time for scripture reading and prayer, but I want to GET UP and GET OUT. I want to be a DO-ER of the word and NOT a forgetful listener. I want to serve the widow, the fatherless, and the stranger. I want to serve Jesus!!
Many of you are in women’s ministry, so you may be interested in viewing our new women’s ministry catalog online. Click here to view. Thanks again!
The Church is Too Safe – David Kinnaman and Mark Buchanan
Is the Church “Too Safe”? When I heard that question for the first time (about a year ago) I more or less shrugged it off. What does that even mean, anyway? Well, two prominent ministry leaders are talking about it right now, so I’m starting to pay more attention. David Kinnaman unpacks this question a little bit in this Catalyst video.
Mark Buchanan has also been talking and writing about the idea of our churches being “too safe.” He was recently on a Faith Radio podcast with Susie Larson. You can listen to it here. In his book, Your Church is Too Safe: Why Following Christ Turns the World Upside-Down, Buchanan talks about us, ministry leaders even, trying to “domesticate” God. We’ve lost sight of the misssional heart of God, he says – the God who seeks. He adds that we’re trying to take control from him and put him in our various boxes, where we can control and tame him. In the podcast he reminds us that while God is “untamable” he meets us in the midst of trials. It’s not a promise that he’ll rescue us from every trial, but he will meet us in them.
I found it to be a pretty encouraging message. Check it out and let me know what you think. Buchanan speaks more eloquently than I’ve written here, so, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Listen to the whole podcast here.
So, do you think your church is “too safe?” At one point in the podcast Larson and Buchanan sum up a safe church as one that has a “low level passion and high level offendability” – is that your church?
