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Effective April 20, 2009 Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PMWelcome...
At the South Dakota Assemblies of God we strive to fully equip our churches for effective ministry to the heartland. Our home page features the blog of Superintendent Stephen Schaible which features thoughts and resources for ministry to the heartland. To maximize this resource, please subscribe.BIRDS and BEES and BATS
Someone sent this to me this week...
THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up.
Tech Savvy, Sensitive and Lonely
“The gap used to be between people 25 and 50. Now it’s between 25 and 40. The ones 40 are out of it. These kids are coming from a different world. They know so much about technology. We can’t really be in touch with this generation but we can be in touch with people who are in touch with them. We can see in the Spirit and be aware of what’s happening. There are teachers who are just giving out what they have taught for the last twenty years instead of learning with the students.
“Because of that we will start losing students because we’re not relevant. They’re coming to seek the Lord but if the teachers are not in touch, we will lose them.”
The Folded Napkin
I ran across this the other day. I'm not sure of the author...
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....
The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying t here, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes!
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. In those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table.
The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'
He is Coming Back!!
What Message is Your Church Sending?
Studies indicate that first-time visitors will decide within the first 10 minutes whether to return to a church. Here are several areas where a church should make sure it's sending the right message:
WEB SITE - Your Web site is the front door to your church. It should be attractive, provide helpful content and be updated regularly.
SIGNAGE - Too many church signs are inadvertantly saying things the church never intended. A sign should be attractive, and clearly communicate who you are and when you meet. See various sign styles at http://www.stewartsigns.com/church-signs.php
BUILDINGS & PROPERTIES - The attention you pay to the appearance of the church grounds and the exterior of the building transmits unmistakable messages.
DÉCOR - Décor sets a tone. Make sure your church's décor is warm and current in style. Be careful about outlandish decorations, but don't make it too cold either.
GREETERS - How a greeter treats visitors is a huge factor in determining what their future relationship with the church will be. Every opportunity for a handshake and a smile sets the tone for the visit. Every missed opportunity diminishes their chances of returning.
PRINTED PIECES - Printed pieces may include the weekly bulletin, flyers and newspaper ads. Be consistent in design/message. Have contemporary, relevant materials that show your style and vision. For high quality brochures that communicate AG beliefs/practices, visit www.ag.org/opr and look for the "AG Resources" link.
Rick Renner Ministries
March 29th is Caroline Curl Day
Caroline is a pillar in the Assembly in Edgemont. She has served as the temporary church treasurer for the past 68 years. She's my hero!!
On March 29th, she will celebrate 4 anniversaries:
- Her 95th birthday!!
- Fifty years ago this day she walked into the present building at Edgemont - - so the church is celebrating 50 years!
- 39 years ago this date, she was totally healed of cancer.
- It’s been 80 years since Caroline received Jesus as her personal Saviour.
That’s a lot to celebrate!!
Would you like to help Caroline celebrate this day?
You can send your card to her via the church address:
Caroline Curl
PO Box 539
Edgemont, SD 57735
May God give bless all our churches with Godly saints like Caroline!
An Old Farmer's Wisdom
* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
* Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
* The best sermons are lived, not preached.
* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
* Don't judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back,
you'll enjoy it a second time.
* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with,
watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
* Always drink upstream from the herd.
* Good judgment comes from experience, and a
lotta that comes from bad judgment.
* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot
easier than puttin' it back in.
* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,
try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
* Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.
Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Shipwrecked
An Urgent Message
