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The Drama Of Scripture

I spent 3 hours last night reading through the first 100 pages of this incredible refreshing book on the Old Testament for one of my MA classes I am taking at Bethel College. Understanding the OT first as a Grand Storey, the authors Craig Bartholomew, and Michael Goheen reflect on each book and give a wonderful synopsis of the OT.

Most of us, if we are honest do not know the Old Testament. We are scared of it. We don't know where to begin. We don't like reading geanioloiges. We don't understand why God allows so many people to die in what seems like ancient Holy War.

If you are still only enjoying Part 2 of God's Word and havent spent much time investigating Part 2, here's what your going to do.

Go but... "The Drama of Scripture"
I promise you will be able to understand it.
I promise you will be more familiar with the OT by the time you are done.
I promise you will have a better hermeneutical framework the next time you open up your bible somewhere in the OT.

WOW, that's a lot of promises, but I am extremly confident that you will not be disapointed!

Just an idea...

I don't know about your church but our church sends out what's called "THE BEACON" every month. It's basically a church newsletter on steroids. I had this idea. What if "THE BEACON" had some theological reflections from Senior Leaders of our staff pertaining to the health, mission, and ministries of our church. It just dawned on me, that I don't know of any church that prints out a publication to their congregation every month where the congregation gets to read articles from "ALL" the staff about what God is laying on their hearts. Of course, the weekly sermon is the platform the Senior Pastor gets to Vent, but what about the rest of His Staff? By producing a "LEADERS CORNER" type magazine and sending it out monthly to your congregation this is what it will accomplish:

1. Multi-perspective on issues
2. Help introduce new comers to all the staff of the church
3. Affirms the Leadership of Your Church
4. Shows that the Senior Pastor is not the only one with brains and passions
5. Brings unity within the diversity of your staff as they talk about different issues pertaining to the same mission of your church.
6. It can be a way to recomend further growth, and resources to your congregation (ex. Children's Pastor writes about Parenting and then recomends a book for struggling parents to read)
7. It constantly re-enforces the vision and mission of your church as long as each article references in their designated topic the reason for their topic and how it relates to the Mission of the Church.
8. It shows your people that you aren't slackers, but rather thinkers. (A lot of people have no respect for Pastors because they only see what they do on the weekends and they think they are lazy throughout the rest of the week)
9. Concise articles written by known people on relevant issues produces great results.
10. In each article depending on the topic a call to Mission to your congregation can be made. (ex. The Worship Pastor writes on a topic entitled, "Why do we have a church service on Saturday?" In the article he shows how conducting a Saturday worship service does not hinder, but rather enable the Mission of the Church to go forward. At the end of the article he encourages people to come check it out.)

Right now, I am proposing this idea to my Senior Pastor, as I recommend all of you young whipper snappers do first as a way to honor not undermine His leadership. I hope to be the monthly author of a column called, "NEW SONGS" - Taking Ps.98:1 literally!" In this article I plan to introduce the congregation to a new song that we as a church will be singing. The article will include: 1. The Lyrics, 2. The Reason We Are Singing It, and 3. When the next time as a Church We will be singing it.


Just a thought...
Let me know what you all think?
Would you read a journal style Magazine that was written on various subjects although pertaining to the mission of your church written by your Pastors?

Why I love Marc Driscol so Much

Hillsong - This Is Our God (PART 2)

Hillsong - This Is Our God

The latest from our friends at Hillsong is an album called, "This is our God". It comes out tomorow, August 12th in the U.S. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Here is one of the songs featured on the album. Amazing storey behind this song:

Real Beauty

An illusion is never as beautiful as the real thing. To all my sisters in Christ, escape the illusion of outward beauty and focus in on a Proberbs 31 type woman. Beauty is fleeding but a heart for God is priceless!