I will seek to be a source of unity in the church. I know there are no perfect pastors, staff, or other church members. But neither am I. I will not be a source of gossip or dissension. One of the greatest contributions I can make is to do all I can in God’s power to help keep the church in unity for the sake of the gospel.

I am a church member.

I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires. That is self-serving. I am in this church to serve others and to serve Christ. My Savior went to a cross for me. I can deal with any inconveniences and matters that are just not my preference or style.

I am a church member.

I will pray for my pastor every day. His work is never-ending. His days are filled with constant demands for his time; with the need to prepare sermons; with those who are rejoicing in births; with those who are traveling through the valley of the shadow of death; with critics; with the hurts and hopes of others; and with the need to be a husband and a father. My pastor cannot serve our church in his own power. I will pray for God’s strength for him and his family every day.

Read more…

Source: Thom S. Rainer—ChristianPost.com

“A lot of people think there’s one black experience. A lot of people think that if someone’s black it means that they’re religious. So we want to be able to show people that that’s not true, that there are non-religious people out there,” Debbie Goddard, director of African Americans for Humanism (AAH), told The Christian Post on Wednesday.

The AAH launched an advertising campaign in late January in six major U.S. cities – New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Durham, North Carolina – with a seventh city, Dallas, being added on Feb. 6. The campaign was designed to coincide with February’s Black History Month.

Each billboard, poster or banner that goes up says “Doubts about religion? You’re one of many” and has AAH’s website printed on it. Each sign will also feature the image of a famous historic black freethinker – like poet Langston Hughes, social reformer Frederick Douglass or writer Zora Neale Hurston – across from the photo of a contemporary black atheist leader.

Goddard said the organization’s primary goal in the campaign is to encourage black people who already have doubts about religion or who are already atheist but haven’t told anyone to make themselves known.

But that can be a difficult decision for an African-American, she said, because many people feel that the black identity is inextricably tied to religion. Black communities look to churches, pastors and holy books to help them make decisions, she noted, including decisions on who and what to vote for during elections.

Click here to read more

Source: Christian Post –Jaff Shapiro

Even though the DVD is geared to children, I learned sooo much!  Why do we cut down trees?  Where did the name ‘Christmas’ actually come from?  What about Santa?  Those are some of the questions it addresses.  The best part about it is that it leads children back to salvation-the reason Jesus came.  How wonderful is that!

For those of you who want to teach this as a unit in homeschool and/or in a small group format, they offer great resources!  Take a look!

Sisters of the Faith is so excited to sponsor a “Why Do We Call it Christmas” sweepstakes!  One person will receive one free copy ($12.95 value) of “Why Do We Call it Christmas.”  The sweepstakes will run from December 11, 2011 to December 31, 2011.  All you have to do is enter here!  (Please see sweepstakes official rules).

Want to get more information about the whole series?  Visit:

http://www.buckdenver.com/

http://www.facebook.com/WhatsintheBible?sk=wall

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

~Matthew 25:35-40

As many of us are knee deep in shopping for Christmas, let us not forget those who are in need.  Oh, think of how much it would please the Lord to give to someone or family who lacks what they need to survive.  As we see in the passage above, Jesus not only identifies with those in need, but He has a heart for them.

This year our family is excited about supporting  World Vision.  World Vision is a:

…Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

There are many ways to give to this wonderful organization.  We will be shopping through our World Vision Gift Catalog:

Next, my home church has participated in Operation Christmas Child for years.  Samaritan’s Purse is:

… a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Samaritan’s Purse offers multiple ways of being a blessing to those in need.  It’s not to late to build a box online or order from their gift catalog.  My 4-year-old son had a ball selecting items to put in our box!

If you can’t choose or there is a particular cause close to your heart, try Global Giving.  You can choose the country, the cause, and the type of aid you want to give.  Gift cards are also available.

Don’t forget the opportunity to give locally.  Whether it be through an organization, your church, or if you know a family in need, there are plenty of ways to show your love.

Here are some more great charities:

http://www.compassion.com/default.htm

http://www.oneverse.org/

]]> http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/christian-living/faith/evangelism-faith/the-season-of-giving/feed/ 0 http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/life/relationships/family/parenting/mom-creates-phone-app-for-kids-in-church-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mom-creates-phone-app-for-kids-in-church-2 http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/life/relationships/family/parenting/mom-creates-phone-app-for-kids-in-church-2/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:47:44 +0000 admin http://www.sistersofthefaith.com/?p=4132 I don’t know about you, but sometimes it is challenging to keep children both well behaved and engaged in church.  Most smaller ministries do not have the luxury of children’s church or daycare.  It’s a good thing that necessity is the mother of invention.

Ann Goade, mother of three, questioned whether coloring sheets were the best way to teach her children to actually listen and participate in the service. That’s when she created Big Church Bingo, a phone app to encourage children to listen to what is being said during a church service by listening for key words used in the game.

To play a grid of words you might hear in a worship service will appear randomly each game. As you hear a word, tap on it. The icon will darken (tap again to bring it back, if mistaken). Once you have five darkened icons in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) you get a bingo. You may continue listening for the words to gain a blackout or choose a new game and start again.

Big Church Bingo© keeps track of points. Each bingo equals one point. Parents may choose to implement a reward system for points. For example, 1 point may earn a piece of gum or candy, 5 points may earn the privilege of choosing what’s for dinner and 10 points may earn a date night with mom or dad. Families can be creative and have fun personalizing their reward system.

The word bank and icons can be customized. Add additional words you might hear that are not listed. Take pics and use for each word’s icon. Searching for the right item to represent a word can be a fun, family activity. Children will be so excited to see their own smiling face representing the word children.

Big Church Bingo© is currently available in the itunes store for use on iphones, ipod touches and ipads. For more information, please visit bigchurchbingo.com.

Ann lives in Anna, TX with her husband, William, and their three children, Lawrence, Rachel and Gracie.

“O Holy Spirit of God, visit now this soul of mine, and tarry within it until eventide.

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… “ Isaiah 40:31

Inspire all my thoughts, – “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.“ 2 Corinthians 10:5b

Pervade all my imaginations, –“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.“ Philippians 4:8b

Suggest all my decisions. – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.“ Psalm 32:8

Lodge in my will‘s most inward citadel… –“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.“  Psalm 51:6

Order all my doings. – “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.“ Proverbs 16:3

Be with me in my silence… – “In quietness and trust is your strength… “ Isaiah 30:15b

In my speech, – “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt… “ Colossians 4:6b

In my haste, and in my leisure, – “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?“ Psalm 139:7

In company, and in solitude, – “Be still, and know that I am God… “ Psalm 46:10a

In the freshness of the morning… – “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.“ Psalm 90:14

In the weariness of the evening. – “My soul yearns for you in the night… “ Isaiah 26:9a

And give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship.“ – “Let the righteous rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him… “ Psalm 64:10a

Facts of the Matter: Daily Devotionals.

Recently, I had the chance to watch a little T.V. without my children.  I settled on a marathon of the T.V. One series Unsung.  I’ve always loved documentaries and music, so a two for one would be great.  After about three episodes it began to feel as if I was watching the same story with different characters.  Individuals from bygone eras, as well as the recent past, that had lost everything to alcohol or drugs or both, strings of failed marriages, broken friendships, bad business dealings and so on.

Those that were able to survive the industry and the blows that life had dealt them all seemed to be making feeble attempts to resurrect the glory of their withered careers.  Most of them struggled to sing with voices that should have been in retirement long ago.  My heart went out to them.

The more I began to reflect on their stories, the more I realized that they were not much different from the rest of us.  None of us can live on the “glory” of our past.  Like it or not, “yesterday’s slam dunks don’t win today’s basketball games.”  We have to have more than that to hold on to.

Most of us, I suppose, have received a few awards and accolades at one point or  another.  Somewhere along the way we have experienced the thrill of that momentary applause and recognition. But time passes, memories fade, people change. Life moves on. And those diminished accolades, as Paul so aptly stated, are, in reality no more than a “perishable wreath.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

The tough economic times that we now live in have caused many to reevaluate their lives.  Those that once held enviable positions are now unemployed.  Huge amounts of debt were amassed in order to keep up with the Joneses.  For many, the American Dream seems farther away than ever before.  Many have been forced to reevaluate their definition of success and self worth, and rightly so.

Hopefully, we are all reevaluating our definition of “success” and “self worth,” and coming to the realization that there is more to life than attempting to hold on to a temporal prize.

Mother Teresa once said, “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.“ Her faithfulness to God is her success. Shouldn’t we measure our successes in light of our commitment to discipleship?

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”  1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

Paul understood that one day when he stood before Christ, what would count would not be his earthly “success,” but the lives of the people that he had invested for the sake of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).  Like a good shepherd, his maturing flock had become his hope. His joy. His glory. His crown.

If you were to examine the secret desires of your heart, where does your hope, joy, and glory really lie?

Oprah has been real–transparent.  Her struggles with weight, family, career, etc. played out for us like a Lifetime movie.  She has used her platform in innovative ways and fashioned the opinions of viewers everywhere.  She made people think.  She taught us that learning is a continual process.  She even had people that hated to read reading with her book club; talk about impact!

The Oprah Winfrey Show, movie roles, O Magazine, and philanthropic deeds will not be the last chapters in the story of the Winfrey chronicles.  During the last season of her show we were introduced to the O Network!  Can you imagine owning your own television network? Talk about a legacy!

As I scan my memory I find little compromise, at least publicly, in her life.  She stuck to her convictions and quite frankly, I’m impressed– to a point.  You see, during a Webinar class, in which she promoted the book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, Winfrey stated “God is a feeling experience and not a believing experience. If your religion is a believing experience [...] then that’s not truly God.”  Simply put, Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought.  So, sadly, for all of the accomplishments, accolades, awards and acknowledgements from men, it will all have been in vain.

In Mark 8:36 Jesus asks a pivotal question: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Many a believer might say that if they had Oprah’s platform they would do thus and so.  But, would we really?  Or would we find ourselves with a watered down Christianity because we don’t want to lose the adoration of men?

So many of us that name the name of Christ fail to acknowledge that we are yet works in progress.  When God elevates us we seem to forget to draw nearer to the cross.  Compromise begins to creep in and we begin to satisfy people with what they want to see and hear, what they are thirsty for, instead of following God’s instructions.

When God gives us a platform it is our responsibility to remember our mission. Thirteen of the New Testament epistles are attributed to the Apostle Paul.  He was known Jerusalem to Rome.   Paul used every ability and resource that he had for the furtherance of the gospel.  His reward…souls!  Churches were established–congregations grew.  He could see growth in the youth like Timothy.  Lives were changed as he declared that he was a servant of Christ set apart for the gospel.

We have to ask ourselves, are we fulfilling the great commission?  Are we making disciples?  I don’t know about you, but I want my legacy to be a kingdom legacy.  Remember me for my love of God’s people.  Remember me for the desire to see the kingdom of God advance.  I want to have an impact on a generation.  I want people to want to know the God I serve.  I don’t want my living to have been in vain.  What about you?