personal attraction

I spent time over the weekend, pondering and praying about whether we as Christ-followers are “personally attractive” to those who do not have a relationship with the living God. No, I am not talking about looks or the parts of our life that make us fake and truly inappropriate as…………come on, know you what I am talking about. 

Then I got David Foster’s email in my inbox this morning about his latest post and it was an “ah ha” moment: Thanks to David for another spirit lead thought that allows God’s spirit to speak to me and hopefully through me to others……..

-tom

“I surrendered as much to Lincoln’s goodness as I did to Grant’s army.”

This is a quote of General Robert E. Lee just after the closing of the Civil War. What a powerful statement.  It’s our goodness rather than our power that attracts people to us.

Now that Sunday is over and Monday is beginning, I ask you to make it your business this week to let your goodness show.  It was Jesus who taught us that we overcome evil with good, not more evil. Being good to all people will be rewarded.  Good wins the day.

SYATP Halstead style

HHS students praying it up

Just wanted to give a big shout out to the Churches of Halstead for coming together and supporting the “see you at the pole” event this morning at the Halstead High School. There were near 30 students who attended by the U.S. flagpole where they prayed for other students, the schools and the world, then enjoyed Krispee Cremes while enjoying fellowship together. All of this started at 7:00 a.m., wow!! All the while some of the students parents were across the street from the schools in prayer with them. We had a great time just watching and praying. Was great to be a part of it. See you next year!!            -tom

do you know what is your “it”?

Caig Groeschel

Ok, I don’t like to beat the drum of many books……..since I usually don’t read many books cover to cover (my ADD kicks in!), but this book is a must read. It’s by Craig Groeschel, the talented Lead Pastor from LifeChurch.tv in Oklahoma. I just received my copy this last Monday and I am almost done with this amazing read. Definitely recommend this book to anyone leading a church at any phase of their ministry and no matter whether their church has been around for 100 years or 1 year. IF you are part of a church leadership team, board or council, you need to go for it! It’s helped me focus on the basic parts of what the “it” is in what we do with Jesus Christ on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday…………..Sunday, Monday……well, you get the picture. I am looking forward to sharing copies of this book with the rest of our leadership team at Crossroads! This is all that we have been praying over and discussing over the last 6 weeks. Hope you will take my word and make this your next cover to cover!

-tom

What can we leran from AIG and Lehman?

The decisions you make today will sustain or sink you tomorrow…….

-tom

no gimmicks

There’s a lot “church blogging’  going on in these exciting times of God’s church moving in a revolutionary way. I read this for the first time just today. It’s from Craig Groeschel at LifeChurch.tv………this is the essence of why I and many others “do church” every Sunday morning and any other time we can in our community. It’s about God and people, nothing fancy. This is plain, simple and SCRIPTURAL. No gimmicks, no spin. Deep and wide. Thanks God, for clarity and truth.

-tom

10 Reasons to Invite People to Follow Christ Every Week At Church

1. Someone may be at church only once.
2. The Holy Spirit may have been working on them for months or years.
3. Even some churched people don’t understand the gospel.
4. Many trust in the church for salvation instead of trusting Christ.
5. Seeing others saved gives believers another reason to worship and motivation to witness.
6. New Christians can “light a church on fire.”
7. Angels in heaven get to party when one person meets Christ.
8. Hell is a real place.
9. You care deeply about people.
10. Families, workplaces, neighborhoods, cities, and generations could be different when one person meets Christ.

by Craig Groeschel