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Each of us eventually faces those who try to bully and intimidate in order to get their own way. I thought about that as I read last week's "Hope for the Home" newsletter from Jerry Drace: "This week has been unusually cold. Each day I have made sure our nine bird feeders are filled with bird seed. We have counted at least twelve different species which make use of the Drace bird buffet. Feeding the birds has taught me several lessons. First, they are up before I am. Second, they are always hungry. Third, if you feed them they will come. Fourth, they act just like people -- some feed with their own clan, some share their feeder; some are social, some are solitary. "Then there is the mockingbird. When the mockingbird comes in to feed he isn't content with just gorging at one feeder -- he wants all eight. This single bird flies from feeder to feeder chasing all the other birds away. He will attack any bird that doesn't take flight at his appearance. Even the woodpeckers and blue jays twice his size look for the nearest limb. I have been hoping that our resident red tail hawk would split the skies, grab the mockingbird and have a talk with him. "There is always one bully in every play ground. There is always one Goliath in every camp. There is always one intimidator in every office. There is always one mockingbird in every feeder. "Parents, you can use the experiences of the birds to teach your children some valuable truths. First, God is our provider -- His feeders are always full. Second, God is the creator of all life, winged or walking. Third, regardless of the color of the feathers or skin, God loves his creatures. Fourth, sharing is better than stealing. Fifth, fear is the opposite of faith. "In the movie The Bear, there is a wonderful scene where the little grizzly is about to be lunch for a mountain lion. As the large cat is about to attack, the little bear stands on his hind paws and squeaks out a tiny roar. The mountain lion makes a hasty retreat. Just then the cub turns around and looks up at his mother who is also standing on her hind paws. Teach your children that wherever they go in life their heavenly Father will be standing behind them if they will only look to Him for protection. Psalm 56:3 tells us, "Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You." (www.hopeforthehome.org) Michael
Duduit, Editor Click here to visit "I Was Just Thinking" (Michael's blog) for insights and observations about faith and culture issues. Recent topics: Global Warming and the News. Visit
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The Power of the Big Idea In his new book The Big Idea (Zondervan), pastor Dave Ferguson writes, "When Jesus met someone for the first time, he challenged them with one Big Idea: 'Follow me.' A Big Idea was simple but not easy. If Peter and Andrew were asked, 'What did Jesus teach you today?' there is no way they would respond like this: (Silence.) 'Ummm . . . ' (More silence.) 'Ummm . . . ' (Still more silence.) 'Ummm . . . ' And if they did, it would not be because they were confused and didn't understand, but rather because they were stunned at the boldness and size of Jesus' request. This Big Idea was very clear, and the call to action could not be misunderstood. The simplicity and clarity of that Big Idea, 'Follow me,' was what catalyzed a movement of Christ followers into action. . . . "What about 'deeper teaching'? That is what the rich young ruler wanted. He came to Jesus and began to explain that he already knew the commandments -- 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, so not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother' (Mark 10:19) -- and that he had obeyed these commands since he was a boy. He wanted more. He wanted a midweek service. He wanted graduate-level teaching. With clarity and simplicity, Jesus challenged him with one Big Idea when he said, 'One thing you lack . . . Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me' (Mark 10:21). The message was clear. It was a call to action. It was a Big Idea that was simple but not easy. "What would happen if we challenged people in the same way? What if we gave people one clear and simple Big Idea and asked them to put it into action? That is exactly what we have been attempting to do at Community Christian Church and the NewThing Network for the last several years. Every week, we give all of our people of every age and at every location one Big Idea and ask them to put it into action. The challenge is simple and clear -- but never easy. That's the Big Idea." (Click here to learn more about the book The Big Idea.)
Develop systems for success In a recent edition of his newsletter, Philip Humbert wrote, "Systems beat goals, every time. . . . The key is that goals are a 'destination' or target in the future. Systems involve automatic, daily actions to get us there. "I've recently read biographies of two of America's great 19th century industrialists, Andrew Carnegie and John Rockefeller. They both grew up poor, lacked formal education, and yet built colossal empires. They were roundly criticized, but each achieved extraordinary success in their respective fields. They were the two richest men in the world, and they prided themselves on working very little! "Rockefeller often took naps during important Board meetings, and went home for lunch and a nap every day. Carnegie rarely worked more than three hours a day. The key to their amazing success was not hard work, brilliance, education or luck. The key is that they were each able to develop systems and organizations that created enormous wealth. "The same is true today. Bill Gates did not create Microsoft by being a brilliant software engineer. He built Microsoft by devising systems and partnerships that made his software indispensable around the world. Remember his early vision of a "computer on every desk?" Well, look at your desk! . . . "The fact is, too many people are trying to create beauty while surrounded by chaos. They are trying to achieve wonderful goals, but their energy and focus are on running errands or "swatting mosquitoes." It's very hard to achieve great things when you're swimming up-stream all the time! "To create the life you truly want, you need systems that automatically carry you down-stream toward your ultimate goals. Design your office, your home, your schedule and your relationships so they "conspire" to help you get there! Talk with loved ones so they actively support you! Eliminate clutter and replace it with equipment, furnishings and tools that make you smile, that energize you and keep you focused. Design a schedule that includes time for your most important daily priorities. "Systems are the key to extraordinary success!" (Copyright © 2007 Philip E. Humbert, all rights reserved. Contact him at: www.philiphumbert.com or email to Coach@philiphumbert.com)
Preaching story as story In his book The Shape of Preaching (Baker), Dennis Cahill discusses various approaches to sermon design, including narrative preaching, a term he uses "to refer to a sermon whose design evidences the characteristics of story and is an exposition of a text with the attributes of story. A narrative sermon is structured as a plot (rather than an outline) and is based on a text which has a plot. When preaching on a text that is narrative (structured as a story) in form, it is most often appropriate to design a sermon that reflects the narrative form of the passage. . . . "The narrative sermon is storylike in its development, with a beginning, middle, and an ending. (Calvin) Miller contends that the narrative sermon does not contain stories but is a story (in its structure). Thus, like a story the narrative sermon will delay the full expression of the central idea until the end or near the end of the sermon. In that sense the narrative sermon has an overall inductive design." Cahill cites several strengths of narrative preaching, including faithfulness to the biblical form when we preach biblical narratives in a narrative style. He also notes that stories create interest and encourage involvement. He adds, "Narrative is also effective because we live in a storied world. Preachers compete with television and movies for people's attention. Even the evening news is often presented in a story form. So narrative is an important biblical tool for communicating to a contemporary culture." (Click here to learn more about the book The Shape of Preaching.)
ILLUSTRATION: Service, The Poor The story is told of a Franciscan monk in Australia assigned to be the guide and aide to Mother Teresa when she visited New South Wales. Thrilled and excited at the prospect of being so close to this great woman, he dreamed of how much he would learn from her and what they would talk about. But during her visit, he became frustrated. Although he was constantly near her, the friar never had the opportunity to say one word to Mother Teresa. There were always other people for her to meet. Finally, her tour was over, and she was due to fly to New Guinea. In desperation, the Franciscan friar spoke to Mother Teresa: If I pay my own fare to New Guinea, can I sit next to you on the plane so I can talk to you and learn from you? Mother Teresa looked at him. "You have enough money to pay airfare to New Guinea?" she asked. "Yes," he replied eagerly. "Then give that money to the poor," she said. "You'll learn more from that than anything I can tell you." Mother Teresa understood that Jesus' ministry was to the poor and she made it hers as well. (eSermons.com newsletter)
ILLUSTRATION: Foundation, Christian Life Pastor Tom Goodman of Austin, TX shares this story: Half of the town of Kiruna, Sweden, is being moved two miles from its current site at a cost of $4 billion. Decades of iron ore mining has slowly eroded the foundations of the town built above the world's largest underground mine. It's an expensive lesson: Lose the foundation, lose your way of life. Across the next 40 to 50 years, some buildings will be torn down and rebuilt. Others will be taken down piece by piece and reassembled in their new locale, including a historic wooden church. The church was once voted Sweden's most beautiful building but the ground it was built upon is giving way, so it won't last. Some remain uncertain that the new location will be any more secure than the sagging earth they're leaving. For the relocation, the state-run mine has chosen a spot where they have deposited waste rock from the mining process. Nevertheless, most accept the move as inevitable. "The people in Kiruna have known since 100 years ago they were living on iron ore," said Vice Mayor Hans Swedell. "They knew that sometime they would have to move." As I said: A parable for our times. A little apathy in our civic duties, chronic laziness in our parenting, a few bad decisions in our business, a few compromises in our church -- like the tap, tap, tap of a miner's pick, these things can slowly chip away at the foundations. The consequences aren't immediate, but over time we find we've jeopardized the life we hoped to build. In Isaiah 58:12, the prophet looked hopefully for people who would "rebuild the ancient ruins" and "raise up the age-old foundations." Let's be the fulfillment of that prophecy in our own families, churches, community, and nation. What can you do today to tend the convictions and habits that uphold the things important to you? http://getanchored.blogspot.com/2007/01/pay-attention-to-foundation.html
ILLUSTRATION: Failure Michael Halleen writes, "Winston Churchill failed sixth grade, but he was no failure as leader of his nation. Thomas Edison failed all his classes in school and was sent home to work on his widowed mother's farm, but he was no failure as an inventor and creator of progress. David Livingstone fled from the pulpit of his first church in Scotland, a failure because he could not remember the text he was to preach on. From there he went to Africa and brought the Christian faith within reach of millions. Failing, in itself, is not the issue. It is what we do next that matters." (Write to Mike at mhalleen@att.net to be added to his weekly devotional email list, Monday Moments.)
ILLUSTRATION: Kindness A man walked into a restaurant in a strange town. The waiter came and asked him for his order. Feeling lonely, he replied, "Meat loaf and a kind word." When the waiter returned with the meat loaf, the man said, "Okay, so where's the kind word?" The waiter put down the meat loaf and sighed, bent down, and whispered gently, "Don't eat the meat loaf."
What you'll see in Cambridge #3 in a list of sites you'll enjoy when you attend the International Congress on Preaching, April 17-19 in Cambridge, England: The Kings College Chapel is considered by many to be the final and finest Gothic building erected in Europe. The foundation stone was laid in 1446; the stonework was completed in 1515, with the magnificent stained glass and woodwork still to be added. The original high altar was finished in 1544, bringing the remarkable structure to completion. It is a beautiful building and one of the most popular sites in Cambridge for visitors. Plan to be part of the third International Congress on Preaching in Cambridge, England. You'll enjoy stimulating addresses on the Congress theme, "For Such a Time as This: Preaching Truth in an Age of Idolatry." You'll hear challenging sermons, and you'll participate in practical workshops on a variety of preaching-related topics. You'll hear an amazing lineup of speakers, including: N.T. Wright, Alister McGrath, David Jeremiah, Calvin Miller, Dave Stone, J. Alfred Smith, Gordon Moyes, Michael Quicke, Robert Smith, and many more. (Click here to see a complete list of speakers.) There's still time to register, so make your plans now to be with us. To learn more (and register online), go to www.preaching.com/icop or you can call 800-527-5226 (toll free inside U.S.) or 615-386-3011 (outside the U.S.)
"Without prayer our work is a waste of time." (Peter Marshall)
From the sponsor of this week's edition: What message does your church's lawn convey to your community? The Signs Plus Team is dedicated to helping pastors enhance the image of their church, minister to their communities and grow their congregations. We offer a diverse line of signage, from traditional outdoor manual lawn signs to state-of-the-art moving message signs. You won't find better quality, warranty, service and price. Since 1988, over 10,000 organizations in all 50 states have trusted Signs Plus for their sign needs. Please visit our website at www.signsplussigns.com to learn more about how you and your community will benefit from a Signs Plus church sign.
ILLUSTRATION: Thrift, Fathers and Sons The teacher asked the class, "If you had one dollar and you asked your father for another, how many dollars would you have?" Bobby raised his hand and answered, "One dollar." The teacher shook her head. "You don't know your math." Bobby replied, "You don't know my father."
"The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." (Peter Drucker)
Calling in sick CareerBuilder.com recently took a look at employees who call in sick with bogus excuses. Thirty-two percent of workers said they called in sick when they felt well at least once during the last year, down from 43 percent in the 2005 survey. . . . The most popular motivator for missing work: good, old-fashioned R&R. Almost half of workers said they needed to relax, while 24 percent wanted to catch up on sleep. Other top reasons included running personal errands (20 percent), doctor's appointments (17 percent), plans with family and friends (16 percent) and housework (16 percent). Forty-one percent of hiring managers said they have received unusual or suspicious sick-day alibis. When asked to share the most unusual excuses workers gave for missing work, hiring managers revealed some of their favorite alibis: 1. Employee was poisoned by his mother-in-law. 2. A buffalo escaped from the game reserve and kept charging the employee every time she tried to go to her car from her house. 3. Employee was feeling all the symptoms of his expecting wife. 4. Employee called from his cell phone, saying that he was accidentally locked in a restroom stall and that no one was around to let him out. 5. Employee broke his leg snowboarding off his roof while drunk. 6. Employee's wife said he couldn't come into work because he had a lot of chores to do around the house. 7. One of the walls in the employee's home fell off the night before. 8. Employee's mother was in jail. 9. A skunk got into the employee's house and sprayed all of his uniforms. 10. Employee had a bad case of hiccups. 11. Employee blew his nose so hard, his back went out. 12. Employee's horses got loose and were running down the highway. 13. Employee was hit by a bus while walking. 14. Employee's dog swallowed her bus pass. 15. Employee was sad. (from MSN Careers website)
And finally . . . If the weather doesn't cooperate, just make your own "snow day." That was apparently the strategy for two Trenton, Ohio, teenage girls, who managed to access the school district's website and posted a phony announcement that schools would be closed for the day because of snow. There was no actual snow in the forecast, according to the Feb. 10 AP news story, but the web posting was enough to convince several parents to keep their kids home from school. The two Edgewood High School students may now find themselves having several days out of school. They have been charged in juvenile court and face expulsion. AP says the company that runs the Web site, RCH Networks Inc., believes the site was not hacked because no security breach was detected. Administrators say the girls must have somehow obtained a password.
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