Wisdom for the Asking

"Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance."  Ecclesiastes 8:1

Where does wisdom come from?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:5-8

Wisdom can change our lives but it is not one of those things that we should just wish that we can have. It is not some unattainable thing we should wish we have.  It is something we can ask for and seek, having faith that God indeed is the granter of wisdom.

I need wisdom! 

I've been sick this week and don't feel like I'm myself, however, even in these circumstances, I can seek God's wisdom and ask Him to guide and give me wisdom amidst the sickness.  God can work through weakness.

Don't be a Dead Sea

The Dead Sea takes in water but there is no outlet to the sea.  Thus, it is salty, bitter, and generally just... dead.

People who are a dead sea are always taking, using up things and become bitter.

Dead Sea people never give anything to another person and never share.

There is no, "here let me show you," but only "let me take from you."

Dead Sea people suck the life out of others.  They sit in classes, church, Sunday School and never give back anything but bitterness.

Don't be a Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is benign but still harmful -- I could see an ancient famished traveler running to the beautiful blue shores thirsting for a drink with a horrible mouth full of salty, bitter nastiness.  No fish to cook, no water to drink.  Just a deceptive body of water masquerading as an oasis that provides no sustenance for life.

What are you?  Live or Dead?

"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me."  Psalm 55:16

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."  Psalm 55:22

You have two choices:  get bitter or get better. 

The unwise, selfish Leader

The last few days, I've been writing about leadership, largely because I'm struggling with followership.  So, today, we look at God's word when dealing with a leader who is unwise and selfish and is bringing harm upon those he leads:  Nabal is a perfect example of this, although there are others.

When dealing with our leaders, particularly Christian leaders, we have to be very careful to seek God's word because they are called and appointed by God (see the last blog post.)

1 Samuel 25:3-4 introduces us to Nabal:

2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.

He was very wealthy, but surly and mean.  He is ungracious and unthankful for what others give to him or do for him.  As we see, Nabal was having a great shearing time, but there was a reason, although he didn't know it, David and his men had been guarding the sheep and his shepherds for the entire season!  Surely David should reap some of the reward in Nabal's work.  Back to 1 Samuel 25:

 4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: 'Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!

 7 " 'Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.' "

 9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David's name. Then they waited.

 10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"

 12 David's men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word.

13 David said to his men, "Put on your swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies. 

So, David was angry! My Grandaddy Martin would have called Nabal "an unthankful son of a gun." (I used to always wonder what a son of a gun was!)

So, David, in an act uncharacteristic of him, was angry and set out to exact his revenge. 

Now, let's look at Abigail.  She is Nabal's wife and "wise and intelligent," she obviously cannot just grab everything and run, but feels a responsibility to protect all of the innocent people and animals who are about to suffer with their lives for Nabal's horrible leadership and watchcare over his people.

But notice this, Nabal has done something right -- he is very rich and has prospered!  Many people would wonder where God's justice was, letting a horrible man like that succeed, and we may wonder it as well.  As you'll find out, Nabal has his justice coming, although with harsh, unkind leaders such as him, it doesn't always happen:

So, someone takes this to Abigail:

14 One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.

This last verse is highlighted for a reason.  I know leaders that are so far off the path that NO ONE WILL TALK TO THEM.

Some leaders see complaints as a terrible curse and wish they'd go away.  But complaints are a part of life.  Instead, I tell leaders, WATCH OUT WHEN NO ONE COMPLAINS.  For, when they stop complaining, they've given up on you.  They aren't including you in what is happening.  You'd better examine yourself and see.

I have a letter on my desk in which a leader begs everyone to tell him their feedback.  The only problem is that people have tried numerous times to tell him that the "leadership vision" he is forcing upon everyone doesn't line up w/ Scripture and isn't the right thing to do.  This man says he wants feedback, but those who give it to him are punished with his ill favor and unkindness.  He doesn't want feedback, he wants a rubber stamp.  So, he is going happily upon his way thinking he has the endorsement of the people, when every single person, has already discussed it and disagree profoundly.  He doesn't have followership, he has  a position.

So, the same with Nabal.  Abigail knows she'd better act OR ELSE all Nabal has built will come to ruin:

18 Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs ^[b] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal. 

So, Abigail hastily ran out to be an advocate to save her people.  We also see this happen again just one book later when an older lady saved her city, by asking David not to destroy the city but to allow the city to throw the rebel's head over a wall.  (2 Samuel 20)

She ran!  She didn't stop, she ran to stop impending doom!  When we are under a leader who has done something horrible to bring harm upon God's people or those under our care, we are to be the "peacemaker," the advocate.  We are to run posthaste to make peace immediately.  Then is not the time to go arguing with the leader who has done this, but to go beg forgiveness and be an advocate!  Talking to the leader comes later!

20 As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. 21 David had just said, "It's been useless—all my watching over this fellow's property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, ^[c] be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!"

 23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: "My lord, let the blame be on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. But as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my master sent.

 26 "Now since the LORD has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you. 28 Please forgive your servant's offense, for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the LORD's battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the LORD has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, 31 my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD has brought my master success, remember your servant." 

Now, this is a tough one. Abigail had obviously done her homework and knew of David and who he was.  She also is very kind and not defending what Nabal had done, she is showing David that not everyone is like Nabal in Nabal's house. 

Notice that she also points out that vengeance is sin ("Vengeances is mine sayeth the Lord), without angry barbs of words coming from her mouth.  She could have said, "How dare you try to kill my sons, you selfish jerk, David."  No, she says that she is grateful that DAvid will not have the "staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself." 

Wow!  She has a wise response.  And so must we when we work to turn away wrath from a horrible mistake made by a bad, uncaring, unlistening unwise leader.

But there is more:

"32 David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak."

 35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, "Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.""

So, because Abigail acted quickly, she saved the lives of many! She also didn't run back to Nabal to argue and tell him what he had done, but waited for the right time to talk to him.

" 36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. 37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died."

So, in the morning, Abigail told him what he had done.  His heart failed him when he realized that he and all of the men of his camp would have been dead... after all they were at a banquet, drunk, they would have been no match for David.  Everything he had was almost gone and done.  Nabal saw his own foolishness.

If we look in the next verses, David was thankful for God's justice as it concerns Nabal and took Abigail as his wife.

What can we learn from this:

• Evil men sometimes prosper a lot!  There is no justice in financial prosperings and we shouldn't expect it.  Sometimes jerks can get to the top!
• Leaders who are surly, mean, and do not listen will make grave mistakes that endanger those in their care.
• When this happens, the wise leaders underneath the foolish leader must do their part to protect the innocent under their care.  Make haste and advocate for safety!  Do not let the sun go down on what you know you must do!
• Do not make excuses for or defend sinful behavior of your leaders!
• Always go back AFTER the crisis has passed and tell your leader what happened.  This doesn't mean that you just secretly "clean up messes."  Leaders should know, whether they listen or not, what their actions do.  Just remember to PICK YOUR TIME AND PLACE.  Be wise in your confrontation and make sure they are able to listen.

I don't see all of the answers here, but there are some things to glean.  This is a pretty harsh and blinding example and rarely is any leader "pure evil."  However, leaders who don't listen and are mean and unkind endanger those who are under your care.

We cannot do anything about others, but ask yourself... are you approachable?  How do you respond to criticism?  Do you "shoot the messenger?"  Are you mean?

If so, change your ways, lest one day you become like Nabal.

And if you're an Abigail, know that one day, you too shall be liberated to live in the house of the King!

Who Do You Trust? How to add People You Trust to Igoogle.

I've been going through a powerful study by Beth Moore in my quiet time called Breaking Free.   On page 124, she wrote something I love:

I want to share something about women who live free that I hope will be encouraging.  Most of them have experienced a serious stronghold or hindrance they have fought to overcome.

How do I know? Because every person I've met who really seems liberated to love, enjoy, and obey God as a lifestyle has been on the battlefield.  They usually appreciate and apply victory more readily because they've experienced the misery of defeat first hand.

I rarely meet a person who has come to trust God fully without painfully confronting the fact that she can't trust herself.  Freedom Never Comes Easy."  p 124, Beth Moore.

This has been a great study for me, and I'm so excited, as I was writing this, I found Beth's blog.

Keeping Up With Blogs from People You Trust

If you don't know how to add this to an "RSS reader," I highly suggest that you:

1. Sign up for Google Reader and then 
2. Drag the subscribe button onto your toolbar.  
3. Then, go to Beth's blog and click "subscribe.  (You can also do that with this page).
4. Finally, if you use igoogle, you should consider adding Google Reader to your homepage.

If you don't have a google account, this blog gives a pretty good overview of how to do this.

Beth Moore trust inspiration

Learning About Leadership, the Appointed vs. the Annointing

This is a tough one.  Leaders in the old testament were "anointed" meaning that they had oil put upon their heads and God selected them to be the leader.  Saul, was anointed to be King of the Israelites. (1 Samuel 10:1)

This was a one time happening, an appointment to a position of sorts.  The person was appointed by God to do the job.

The anointing of God, however, is an ongoing thing.  A relationship with God Almighty that was ongoing.

"12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul." 1 Samuel 18:12

This is why we should read our Bibles and pray daily so that we can be fruitful for God -- Jesus is "God with us" -- we want to be WITH him. Anointing is an active expression not a point in the past.  John 15:5 says:

" 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

So,  what if we're abiding in the anointing of God, but our leaders who have been appointed (and at one time, we hope anointed) ARE NOT!  What then?  What do we do with our followership when the leadership is lacking?

First, remember that we cannot see into the heart of our leader any more than they can see into ours.  All we know is our own viewpoint, which is as in a glass darkly, but we shall see clearly one day.  But, what do we do with our followership when leadership is severely lacking?

I think we can see some insight into the life of David.  David was being hunted by Saul, totally misunderstood and persecuted.  When Saul came into a cave to relieve himself, David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, and yet, he didn't.  We look at 1 Samuel 24:10-13:

10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.

Also, look at what happened to David.  David was not cornered in a cave to whimper like an animal, go back to 1 Samuel 18:14-15:

"14 In everything he did he had great success, ^[a] because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful ^[b] he was, he was afraid of him."

 God will prosper those leaders who have his ongoing anointing.  Even if they aren't in charge of EVERYTHING, they are in charge of something.  He will bless and prosper their hand for what they are in charge of.

Understand that this can spark incredible jealousy and anger from those who are not under the current anointing of God. To see God blessing others brings to mind when they used to see His blessing and as long as those leaders depend upon their own strength, they will continue to be frustrated and diminish.



This is what I pull out of this:

• We are to not lift our hands to harm God's anointed.  They will see that we had the chance but did not harm them, and if they did not, it is OK.
  
• Understand that often God's punishment within a man's soul is much deeper than that which any man could inflict.  God handles justice and we should not wish His displeasure upon anyone.
• God will judge between us and our leaders.  God avenges we do not.
• Those who do evil such as gossip, backstabbing, and plotting are EVIL MEN.  We won't do it if we are indeed good.
• Leaders who are appointed to a position but are not under God's leadership will bear NO FRUIT and will resent THOSE WHO DO! This, however, does not relieve us of our responsibility to honor their position.

This is tough because we want God to come in and just give us justice.  Let us not forget that we too are humans with many faults and we should be glad God doesn't give total justice, because we'd be punished terribly!

Tomorrow, we will look at what do do when a leader is bringing harm upon those he leads:  Nabal and Abigail.

If you want to see past posts in this area, just click on "leadership" below.

Photos licensed under IStock Photo, you do not have permission to reuse.

Learning About Leadership, Part 1

I'm writing a series on leadership, not because I consider myself such an amazing leader, but rather, because right now, I'm having some issues with followership.  Big issues.

What do I do when a Christian leader is not accurate?  unkind? hurtful? not listening?

The human response is to fight -- however, our response must always be to seek  God's word.  Here are my notes as I seek answers to the questions that keep me awake at night concerning this matter.

So, we start with what Jesus says in Matthew 23:

" 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you..."

Remember that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were responsible not only for leading God's people astray but for the death of Jesus Christ himself.  (Although God allowed this.)  And yet, Jesus did not say people should ignore these men who had created SO MANY laws that the people couldn't survive.  He said that you MUST obey them and do everything they tell you.  (Of course, again, later, he focuses on the spirit and intent of the law as being supreme to the law itself.)

This is consistent with Hebrews 13:17

"17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

I've seen Hebrews 13:17 "lorded" over the church before.  Yes, it is clear that we are to OBEY those God has put in charge.  Just remember that Matthew 23:23-24 says:

"23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."

We are not to ignore the spirit of the law when we follow "the law."  God's intent ALWAYS overshadows manmade rules. We saw this when Jesus healed the woman who was bent over on a Sabbath and when David at the showbread on the altar.

I'll never forget my Dad telling me a story about how the deacons had decided that they would all be on time to a meeting.  The very next meeting, a man was very late and was called into account by the others and he quietly accepted it.

Later, the other deacons found out that a church member had been widowed that very evening and the deacon was late because he had been with the widow at that time!  The deacons were humiliated for they had put the rule of man above the spirit of the law. They begged his forgiveness.

God wants us to show love first and be His hands and feet and in this case, when priorities conflict, God's calling must be above ALL ELSE! Period!

Now, let's look at more of Matthew 23: 1-4:

" 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

What are heavy loads?
Well, it is easy to say that heavy loads are not from Christ, for he says in Matthew 11:29

 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I would be wary to be the man who puts rules upon the shoulders of God's people that God Himself does not place there.

In the New Testament, there were men so convinced that to go to heaven that one had to be circumcised that they went peeking around in the men's privy to catch a man who wasn't "pure" in this matter.  In fact, the Jerusalem council tackled this very issue. (Acts 15:1)

What did Peter say to this?

8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:8-10)

The Rules of Man
I have a letter on my desk today something giving me more than 10 "rules" that I should follow to be an effective person in a leadership position I have at church.

Most are pretty superficial, but, OK, so I'm supposed to obey.  Now, what do I do?

From the study so far, I believe it is safe to say:

1. I am to obey to the best of my ability.
2. My leader will be held in account by God Almighty Himself.  My appeal is to God.
3. When all of these things make me weary and burdened, I have complete refuge in Jesus Christ.  Ultimately I am responsible to Him.
4. I will give this person the respect due his position, however, my salvation is not upon the approval of a man, but the blood of Jesus Christ.  Doing all of these things surely is good, however, the measure of my life is obedience to Jesus Christ and his calling to me.  
5. When the superficial laws of man conflict with the intent of the law as laid out by God, I am totally responsible to follow God's direction, despite the disapproval of others.
6. I am to forgive this person a thousand times over, and in fact, right now, I wake up every morning and pray for God to help me forgive this person.  This leader is a huge struggle for me, but if I do not forgive, I shall not be forgiven!
   

There are many more things to share here, but this is what I've learned for now.  This is an ongoing struggle in several areas of my life and perhaps others are struggling in this way.

As we look ahead at King David, even when Saul was completely wrong and had the hand of God removed from him, David said, "Far be it from me that I would place a hand upon God's anointed."

Be very wary of actively trying to harm any man of God.  Yes, a man can be completely wrong, however, to approach any thing of this matter without a lot of prayer and caution is to bring harm upon yourself, I believe the Scripture will show that.

Christianity is Based on Christ NOT Your Voting Record

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”- 1 Peter 3:8

"35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

In the US, we've forgotten how to disagree. We call names.  We make things up. We drag the people who want to serve and lead us through the worst experiences of their lives. 

And it happens in the Christian world too.

You are a Christian based upon what you believe in Jesus Christ, not who you are voting for. 

Now, I do believe that your faith should shape how you make your decision but I know good Christians that are on each side of the current presidential election in the United States. 

They shall know we are Christians by their love.

So, as we are in the midst of debate and disagreement, one thing holds true.  We can respect the human beings that God made and be salt and light.  We can act differently from the rest of the world.  We can be a part of this election and treat those we disagree with with respect, kindness, and love.  We can listen but we can stand firm in the conviction that we emerge with as our own.

Let's vote.  Celebrate our freedom. And do it in a way that honors our Lord.  Everyone who throws mud gets dirty.

The Face of Missions: 410,000 meals a day for Hurricaine Ike and No Way to Donate on Facebook!

Hurricaine Ike has so many people displaced, I just got this in my inbox from the SBC:

"

Caison said SBC DR feeding teams are committed to serve 250,000 meals a day for The American Red Cross and another 160,000 meals a day for The Salvation Army -- for a total commitment of 410,000 meals per day.

State units activated, en route, staging or on-site in Texas include:

Texas–SBTC	Texas–TBM	Virginia–SBCV	Virginia–VBMB
Louisiana	California	Florida	North Carolina
South Carolina	Arkansas	Alabama	Georgia
Michigan	Tennessee	Illinois	Arizona
Iowa	Kentucky	Mississippi	New Mexico
Northwest	Utah/Idaho

"

410 thousand people who are needing meals!  Think of the families who have loved ones staying with them and churches and other organizations who are serving and helping!   We fed 2500 a day here after our tornadoes and I cannot even imagine what they are doing.


So, the question is, what can we do to help? 
Well, since I have some friends who are experts on raising money using Facebook, I was all ready to add it to my facebook page to help raise money for the cause, however, what I found was an unclaimed page, and several SBC causes by people who don't look like they work for the Southern Baptist Convention At All!


What is the problem?  If my friend, Beth Kanter, can raise $2500 in a thirty minute presentation for Cambodian Orphans, can I  not raise money to feed 410,000 people right here at home!  So, I sent this letter to the SBC disaster unit, a group that is probably too busy to "mess with" this, however, I am helpless to do anything to help.

"I want to help raise money for what is happening with this on facebook, but the SBC has not set up an official "cause" so I can promote it and get donations! 

Please, is there someone on staff that could set this up -- the other "causes" are not by official members of the SBC and I'm concerned money is being raised without it going to the SBC.

I have a friend who raised $2500 for cambodian orphans in 30 minutes at a conference -- and we should be using facebook to raise money for the work of the SBC.  Please help!

See - http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/10495?recruiter_id=10280939 and someone w/ a facebook there needs to click on this page and claim it:

http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/beneficiaries/5147?m=0b1f7"

So, does anyone know someone at the Southern Baptist Convention that I can reach to help solve this problem? This is frustrating!


I went to the "technology channel" for information on integrating technology into ministry and this was the page I got!

OK, SBC, I love you, but we have some work to do on the technology side.  Why not harness the thousands of technologically savvy out here to help with this sort of thing?  A new way to be a missionary.  Technology missionaries who live at home, support themselves and help on the weekends and nights.

We are to be everywhere for the name of Christ and that includes Facebook.

facebook Southern Baptist Convention technology

Cool Cat Christian's Links of the Day 09/14/2008

• Remember The Milk - Blog

  How to add your remember the milk tasks to netvibes. I use the igoogle widget, but the netvibes widget is very powerful also -- you'll get more out of this handy tool if you add it to your start page. It is much easier to work with this way because the add feature is much better than in remember the milk.

  tags: education, ccc

• Remember The Milk - Help / FAQ / Sharing & Publishing / How do I share a list with a contact?

  Remember the Milk has very powerful ways to share lists. We spent some time setting up our list for Flat Classroom, Digiteen, and the conference in remember the milk. If you have a virtual team, I highly suggest that you set up a list. There are many services, but this is my favorite. Go through this and click next - this is how we did it.

  tags: education, ccc, timemanagement

• K-12 Online Conference 2008 Marketing Flyer on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

  K12 online marketing flyer -- this is going to be so exciting!
  
  The K12 online conference is a FREE conference for people who teach kids at the K12 level. You'll find tons of great information about how to teach today's kids and information on new tools and classroom best practice. Julie and I are working with the strand "kicking it up a notch" and are very excited!

  tags: education, edu_news, ccc

A New Direction Here: We're Now Cool Cat Christian!

OK, this change has been brewing for quite some time.

I'm so tired of many mainstream Christians demonizing the new tools like blogs, wikis, and even 3D worlds like Second Life.  I have friends holding Bible Studies in Second Life and people can come to them there that could NEVER do it in "real life."  (For those of you who don't know what second life is, it is a virtual world almost like a video game -- but NOT a video game -- if you say it is, there are people who will become very angry.)

So, I've felt like I needed to take the many tools I'm teaching in my classroom and bring them to Christians around the world.  You may find SOME similar content with Cool Cat Teacher, but not always.

I want to have a place where Christians can know about the tools and also find some inspiration.  I'm not a theologian, but my Best Friend is.

Flawed human though I be, knowing and understanding technology is one of those things that I was born to do.  Jesus Christ is my Best Friend and Savior and I HAVE TO SHARE HIM.

The truth is, we have a way to reach this whole planet if Christians would take to their keyboards.  You can literally blog and reach the deepest darkest jungle that has internet access. 

Do we always get through the filters?  No, of course not.  However, we should also use these tools in our professional lives and behave in such ways as for people to ask what is different about us.  Online spaces need kindness, love, and patience... particularly during this heated election season.  So many people are angry and acting unkindly it is bothersome!

I always tell educators that I feel that it is our job to civilize the Internet -- we are to bring forth the rules and how we should act kindly and with love.  Well, that message is for Christians too.  We are to be the salt and light of the Internet.

Do not demonize the tools.  They burned books in the Middle Ages and yet, books have brought the gospel to many places that humans couldn't go!  These tools are our friend and not the devil incarnate.

I've been asked how I could be a Christian and blog.  Some dissapproval by non family members has slowed my blogging over here.  But I tell you, I'm done with that.

This is my Christian Blog where I will share my faith, cool technology tools, and yes, even some things about teaching that apply to teaching Sunday School and Missions because I teach teenagers BOTH of those things right now.

I live and breathe teenagers -- both at school, at home, and at church.  And if you want to connect, you'd better learn to text message, use online tools, and get a facebook just in case.  I connect with my former pastor on Facebook and enjoy the connection.  I admire him more because he uses it!

Who are the people I don't admire?
People who mistake a new tool for a new message.  We are sharing the Ancient of Days, the old message with new tools. And if we don't, the very widgets we use will have to do it for us. 

Bloggers, Second Lifers, wiki-ers, and any other web 2.0 people should be encouraged by their churches and allowed to happen.  And yet, it is something that people in authority don't understand.  Blogging means that I can connect with any Christian anywhere that has Internet, and the number is growing daily.

In my opinion every church should have a blog, a subscribable Google Calendar, and perhaps even a private planning wiki.  Youth groups should set up private networks on Ning for their youth ministers and youth to connect, discuss and plan things. (Sort of like a private Sunday School room on the Net.)  Pay the $5 and take the ads off.

Definitely, larger churches should be setting up places in Second Life and broadcast their services into there. 

I'm not quite worked through all the issues and criticism I've gotten for embracing these tools.  I will say this -- my feet, my hands, my fingers, my toes-- all that I am and all that I have are HIS to use.  His to direct.  His to teach and use to take the gospel to the world.

And when He says to, He means it.  It doesn't mean that on my other blogs that I have to "beat people over the head" with my faith -- my faith is there, it is part of my life and it does come out sometimes.  I'm going to spend my time dedicated to being the very best in the world at what I do, with God's help and calling and let Him handle the rest.

Does this blog hurt my professional career -- I guess it could.  However, if I'm passed over because of being  a Christian, then, that will be another little tiny glimmer on the crown when I kneel before the throne one day.

I love the Lord and I love the people He made and put on this planet.  I am to be his hands and feet and not his instrument of judgement.  I will share with all who ask and will listen.

Can you?

Feeding the Hungry in the Midst of the Storm: What is happening with Ike

From the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Update Email.  When we had our tornado in Camilla, the Baptist Feeding Station was a powerful and amazing service that was one of the first on the ground.  No questions asked, take care of needs, and get down to business.  They represent what is good in disaster relief and I am very proud of their work. 

I get these updates from the Southern Baptist disaster relief agencies.  If you want to help, my two FAVORITE disaster relief organizations are the SBC and the Salvation Army just from personal experience.

"

Disaster Relief Update - Thursday, September 11, 2008

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

With recovery work still going non-stop in Louisiana post- Hurricane Gustav, Southern Baptist disaster relief workers now shift their attention to Texas, where Hurricane Ike is predicted to cut a swath between Port Lavaca and Bay City, Texas early Saturday morning.
Port Lavaca is 80 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, while Bay City is 70 miles southwest of Houston.
Chugging along toward the west-northwest with maximum winds at 100 mph, Ike is predicted to strengthen considerably before Saturday, when it could slam the Texas coast as a deadly Category 3 or 4 hurricane, according to weather forecasts.
FEMA representatives said Ike could produce a storm surge somewhere between 14 and 22 feet – possibly as high as 27 feet if Ike takes a more northerly path as it appears to be.  Houston could experience winds between 80-110 mph with gusts up to 120 mph.  Officials said some 3.5 million Texans could be without power as a result of the storm.
FEMA has compared Ike to a Category 3 hurricane that struck the Texas coast in 1983, killing 23, injuring 3,100 and causing $2 billion in damages.
Feeding – up to 80,000 meals a day -- is already under way at evacuation sites in San Antonio (Kelly Air Force Base and Brookhill Baptist Church), Laredo, and the Bryan/College Station areas.
The American Red Cross has requested Southern Baptists to provide a total of 500,000 meals per day, while The Salvation Army has requested another 70,000 meals.
Eleven feeding units already have been activated for Texas, including units from Arkansas, California, Florida, North Carolina, the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention and Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Even more feeding units will be put on alert or standby following Ike’s landfall.
Still serving in the wake of Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana are 18 feeding units, 11 shower units, five communications/command centers, six laundry units and 50 recovery teams.
Since Gustav made landfall in Louisiana on Labor Day, Southern Baptist volunteers have prepared almost 770,000 meals; completed 275 chainsaw jobs; provided 7,903 showers and 1,138 loads of laundry; made 9,122 ministry contacts; and recorded 72 Gospel presentations and 75 professions of faith, according to statistics kept by NAMB’s disaster operations center.
Texas and Louisiana are not the only locations where Southern Baptists are staffing up for disaster relief.
Under the SBC’s Baptist Global Response (BGR), an SBC disaster assessment team will travel to Cuba the week of Sept. 15 to consult with local Baptist partners about relief efforts needed there after both Hurricanes Gustav and Ike struck that nation earlier.
Gustav struck western Cuba on Aug. 31, with maximum winds reaching 200 miles an hour. News reports said 130,000 homes were damaged and crops were wiped out – even before Ike followed on Sept. 8.
Southern Baptist relief funds have been released – with the permission of the U.S. Treasury Department – to purchase food and re-building supplies, and to help with clean up in Cuba, according to Jim Brown, U.S. director for BGR, a Southern Baptist international relief and development organization.
Southern Baptists on the assessment team will work with representatives of the Cuban Baptist Convention to evaluate what additional relief efforts are needed and to conduct training for local disaster relief volunteers, Brown said.

National Disaster Relief Leadership

• Terry Henderson, National Disaster Relief Director
• Mickey Caison, Disaster Operation Center Manager

To contact the Disaster Operations Center, call 1 888 462-8657 or e-mail dr_offsite@namb.net"