Sunday, August 31, 2008

Blog Day 2008

Now that I've gotten the comments and archives fixed, we can move on with...


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It's the 4th annual Blog Day 2008! What does that mean? It means I get to send you on a blogging journey to expand your mind, perspective and experience. Check out these blogs of people that have impacted my world:

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Missionary in Peru:
Megan McKinzie has been preparing to go to Peru to be a missionary with her husband and little girl for over a year. Catch up on all the preparations and now read her adventures since she arrived in Peru last week!


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Homeschooling Mom:
Our Little Corner gives you a peek into the life of a homeschooling family with four children and a dad that just got a job in another state - ack! Share the ups and downs of homeschooling in the midst of trying to sell a house and all the adventures of a large family.


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Lexicographer/World Traveler/Retro Seamstress/All Around Really Cool Gal:
Dictionary Evangelist and Dress A Day are two blogs, yes, but from the same person, so I couldn't see listing them separately. I had to include both of them, though, because I enjoy them both so much! Live vicariously through Erin's travelogues; laugh with the clever backstories of vintage pattern covers; drool over fantastically cool vintage patterns made in updated fabrics; and expand your vocabulary!


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Stay-at-home Dad:
Joeprah will make you laugh out loud as you read about his out-of-the-box and humorous ways of coping with the things that drive parents crazy. Staying home with 3 daughters while his wife plays "breadwinner," Joeprah gives us a little perspective on gender roles and tosses archetypes out the window of the moving minivan!


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Work-at-home Dad:
Real Men Stay Home lets you in on the thoughts of a dad that stays home...to work. Sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it? Read my hubby's blog to find out if it's all it's cracked up (or imagined) to be.


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Did you have a great trip? Wanna share your favorite mind-altering blogs (NOT drugs!)? Visit BlogDay.org and get busy!


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Wonky Wednesday Visits on Sunday

I'm going through Spam Karma and it seems Dr. Dave has been a little overzealous in his protection of ye olde blogge comments. Things may be wildly wonky before Wednesday this week, but just bear with me - things will be back to normal soon....

I hope...

Shakespeare or Scripture

Last week's quote was Shakespeare! Duke Senior utters this seemingly Biblical observance in Act II, scene i of As You Like It.

On to this week. Will it be Shakespeare or Scripture...you tell me.

"Thy husband is thy lord, thy life, thy keeper, thy head, thy sovereign; one that cares for thee..."

Friday, August 29, 2008

Homeschool Freebies Everyday!

Even if you're like me and don't homeschool your kids (yet!), today's resource is one you should bookmark anyway. It's not just a bunch of worksheets! You'll find songs and stories for the kids, organizing and housework helps for you, and major savings for your budget!

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And to celebrate the long Labor Day weekend, they're running a special on their premium site membership - it's a double freebie day!

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Cocktails and Fundamental Truths

Did you guess last week's quote origin? It was T.S. Eliot, in The Cocktail Party. Makes marriage sound a wonderful thing, doesn't it?

Now on to this week:
You're not like the others. I've seen a few; I know. When I talk, you look at me. When I said something about the moon, you looked at the moon, last night. The others would never do that. The others would walk off and leave me talking. Or threaten me. No one has time any more for anyone else. You're one of the few who put up with me.


Thus Saith....whom??? Leave your guess in the comments!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Trivial Pursuit

So one of my Facebook friends posted a note with Ten Random Facts about himself. I've seen this numerous times and have always found them interesting and thought, "I should do that" for some vain reason but never got around to it. Well, here it is, so here I go...
1. I like pina colada yogurt.

2. I don't like being outside in the dark or in a church alone at night.

3. I designed the logo for a local small town in Texas.

4. I got third place in a pageant when I was in high school.

5. I drink about a half-gallon of Red Diamond Sweet Tea every day.

6. I've never been farther west than Wichita Falls, Texas, though I have been to Georgia and Florida.

7. I sing for church.

8. I smoked for about 4 years (I quit in 1999).

9. I've never done any drugs in my life - not even pot - not even once. I've been "tipsy" twice in my life (Michael said it wasn't enough to be considered drunk).

10. I hate the inherent tastes of alcohol and coffee.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Blog Tour Tuesday 4: Joel Comiskey: The Church That Multiplies

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing
to get a free copy of this book!





Often misunderstood, the cell church movement is alive and well in Northern America. We hear about explosive growth of cell churches in Colombia and Korea, but where are the dynamic North American cell churches? This book shows how the cell church concept is working in North America and dedicates an entire chapter to examining North American churches successfully using the cell strategy for growth. The Church That Multiplies gives practical examples and instructions to implement cell church strategy. This book provides the latest statistical research about the North American church and provides solutions for pastors and lay leaders to implement these concepts for cell-based ministry.

The Church That Multiplies

Why is the cell church so attractive in the 21st century?

More and more leaders around the world are attracted to a simple form of church life, one that doesn't require huge budgets and super-talented preachers but follows the pattern of the New Testament church. I now find myself desiring a simple, reproducible, New Testament model. And I believe North America needs the same thing.

Tomorrow's cell church won't depend on large buildings or technology to make it work. It will go back to the New Testament rhythm of meeting in celebration and cell.

One reason the mega churches appear so complicated is that they are. One influential mega church in the suburbs of Los Angeles, for example, is embarking on a ten-year expansion project with a 4000-seat worship center, an artificial lake, food court, coffee house, and recreational attractions including a rock-climbing wall and jumbo video screens. The list of activities sounds like the offerings at a Club Med or a small liberal arts college: poetry workshops, creative writing, singles groups, job fairs, vocational training, musical lessons, and even auto repair clinics.

The beauty of a simple cell church is that it's reproducible.

What are the first steps in starting a cell church?

Cell church plants come in different varieties: mother-daughter cell church plants, satellite cell church plants, or just starting a cell from scratch.

The simplicity of cell church planting makes it exciting. Even without a supporting mother church, a church planter can simply open the first cell in a home and begin reaching non-Christians. The cell at this stage is more like a house church. The goal is to see non-Christians come to Christ, be trained through the training track, and then be sent out to lead their own cell groups.

I recommend, however, that the church planter seek to find a team of core members. Each core member should be prepared to eventually start a cell group (or perhaps start one in partnership with another core team member). Where will these core members come from? A few possibilities are the mother church, the denomination, a plea for "missionaries," or help from another church.

The core group meets together in a pilot cell for six months to one year. During that period, the pilot cell of core members practice cell life, using the four Ws as the guide for the cell (welcome, worship, Word, witness). Each core member is encouraged to get to know non-Christians in the neighborhood.

During this same time, the church planter teaches the training track to the core team members apart from the cell itself (see Chapter 10). In our church plant, we found it effective to set apart a Saturday or Sunday for concentrated training.







Author, Church Planter,
Teacher, Speaker
Joel Comiskey




About the Author:

Joel Comiskey (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is an internationally recognized church consultant and speaker. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador and is now founding pastor of a cell-based church in Southern California. Joel's books have sold 130,000 copies in North American and an additional 200,000 copies worldwide. His titles include: Home Cell Group Explosion (Touch Publications, 1998), How to Lead a Great Cell Group Meeting (Touch Publications, 2001), and An Appointment with the King (Chosen Books,2002). Joel teaches as an adjunct professor at several theological seminaries. Joel and his wife, Celyce, have three daughters and live in Moreno Valley,California.

Endorsements Include:

* Dr. Peter N. Nanfelt, President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
* Larry Kreider, author House to House
* Billy Joe Daugherty, senior pastor of 12,000 member Victory Christian Center
* Dale Galloway, dean of the Beeson International Center

For more information go to:
http://www.joelcomiskeygroup.com/

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to get a free copy of this book!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Which Children are These Again?

Are these
The Children of My Loins
or
The Children of The Corn?

Same difference, I think...

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sweet Adversity

Welcome to the first Shakespeare or Scripture Sunday, in which I post a quote and you relate in the comments if it is from Shakespeare or Scripture.

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;


Good luck!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Digital Scrapping Freebie from T h E ~ b L i S s F u L ~ p I x E L

I don't get to scrapbook often, but when I do, I thoroughly enjoy it. When I discovered digital scrapping...WHOA!!! Creativity + Pictures + FREE Computer Art = Heaven
Lee over at T h E ~ b L i S s F u L ~ p I x E L has posted a lovely kit called Bright and Beautiful that is...well, beautiful. It's not chintzy, either! There are 30 total graphics in THREE colorways! Go; download; create; be ridiculously happy. You can thank me later.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Thus Saith Thursday

Leave a comment with your guess as to the origin of this quote. The answer will be posted on the next Thus Saith Thursday.
Two people who know they do not understand each other,
Breeding children whom they do not understand
And who will never understand them.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Confessions of a Lazy Blogger*

Holy Blog Of Doom, Batman! I just opened mine eyes, and lo! I have not updated this since the 9th... You would not believe how insane my life has become. Apologies to my regular readers! Even the little blue ones!.

I am totally exhausted with feeding the little people, being distracted by the shiny, just generally being a mother to my kids, my day starts from the moment my children manage to unlock my bedroom door and use me as a jumping castle to I am begging my kid to go to sleep or so help me God that kid will be decorating my wall, 'Duct tape still life'. I am so tired of my kids wanting me to give them attention and stuff. I need a nap.

I will try to remember I promised you I will make more of an effort to blog more often until the nice men in the white coats come back. Well, I'll try. Don't hold your breath though, you're likely to turn blue..

*Not a real post in the sense of being Really Real About Something Real. This is the post I got when I went to The Lazy Bloggers Post Generator to play. Much fun to be had - swirly slides and all that...stop by for a Slurpee when you're done.


Oh yeah, and welcome to Wonky Wednesdays. ;)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Blog Tour Tuesday 3: Joel Comiskey: Coach






The goal of Christian coaches is to move people toward Jesus Christ. The Christian coach strives to lead people forward to conformity with Jesus Christ, knowing that the ultimate crown is the one that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:25). While Christ-like character is most important, a small group coach also equips leaders with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to develop themselves and become more effective in small group ministry. A cell coach encourages, nourishes, and challenges cell leaders to grow and multiply their cell groups. Coach provides step-by-step instructions on how to coach a small group leader from the initial stages of leading the group all the way to giving birth to a new one. Those who have never coached before will receive clear information on how to take the small group leader to the next level. And someone who is already coaching a small group leader will also find the eight lessons in this book invaluable to empower others to lead fruitful groups.

Coach

What is the book, COACH, about?

It's about how to come along side someone who is influencing others for Jesus Christ. My area of writing over the years has been small group based ministry, so I'm specifically writing for people who are influencing others in a small group setting. Yet, the principles of this book are much wider than just small group leadership. They reach into many areas, including how to live the Christian life.

Why is coaching so important in small group ministry?

Coaching is essential to small group ministry because small group leaders are ministering to others on a voluntary basis. They are constantly giving out. One huge question is: who is going to care for them? Who is going to minister to their needs?

The coach comes alongside the leader, not just to dish out information, but to be a friend, to listen, and to develop the leader. Often the best thing a coach can do is simply listen. Most of the time the leader knows what's wrong. More than hearing advice, the leader needs to know that there's someone available to listen.

What are some of the key principles that you bring out in your book?

I've titled my chapters after the key principles of coaching: * receive * learn * plan * listen * serve * develop * strategize * challenge *

I talk about the need for the coach to make sure his or her life is in tune with Jesus. Great coaches will first be successful with God and those closest to them (God, spouse, family).

Has coaching replaced the concept of mentoring?

Mentoring was always an obscure word. Mentor was actually one of the Greek mythology characters. And thus, it's always difficult to explain what mentoring is. Yet, coaching is all around us. We see sports coaches, business coaches, and spiritual coaches. The practice of coaching that we see around us helps explain what it is and thus people have more readily picked it up.







Author, Church Planter,
Teacher, Speaker
Joel Comiskey




About the Author:

Joel Comiskey (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is an internationally recognized church consultant and speaker. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador and is now founding pastor of a cell-based church in Southern California. Joel's books have sold 130,000 copies in North American and an additional 200,000 copies worldwide. His titles include: Home Cell Group Explosion (Touch Publications, 1998), How to Lead a Great Cell Group Meeting (Touch Publications, 2001), and An Appointment with the King (Chosen Books,2002). Joel teaches as an adjunct professor at several theological seminaries. Joel and his wife, Celyce, have three daughters and live in Moreno Valley,California.

Endorsements Include:

* Dr. Peter N. Nanfelt, President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
* Larry Kreider, author House to House
* Billy Joe Daugherty, senior pastor of 12,000 member Victory Christian Center
* Dale Galloway, dean of the Beeson International Center

For more information go to:
http://www.joelcomiskeygroup.com/

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to get a free copy of Joel's book The Church that Multiplies!

Manic Monday

Mad (and maddening)
Antics (of my children)
Negating
Intelligent
Concentration

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Blog Tour Tuesday 2: Joel Comiskey: Discover






Small group expert, Joel Comiskey, creates a new tool for individuals and group study. In Discover, Use Your Gifts and Help Others Find Theirs, Joel shows clear steps and guidelines to find and activate spiritual gifts. The eight lessons offer biblical insight on what the gifts are and practical suggestions on how to use them. Discover will especially help those leading a small group to know how to discern the different gifts among group members--and then to help each person activate that gift. According to the Bible, everyone has at least one spiritual gift. But many don't know what their gift is or how to effectively exercise their spiritual gift.

Discover

Why did you write this book?
So often we want to be like someone else. How often have we said, “I wish I was a great conversationalist like Tom. He always has something interesting to say, but when I’m in a group of people, my brain freezes up, and I can hardly remember what to say.” Or “I wish I could teach like Donna. She articulates her message so perfectly. In comparison, my teaching is simplistic and even superficial.”

Most of us have prayed, “Lord, make me like …. ” Because too many of us stumble through life with an inferiority complex, I wrote this book to help people discover who they are and how God wants them to function in the body of Christ.

Where is the best setting to use your spiritual gifts?

In the larger worship service, naturally experimenting with the gifts rarely happens because risk-taking is not encouraged in such an environment, nor should it be. Yet, in the safety of the small group and with the encouragement of the group leader, experimentation can happen, and the Holy Spirit will bless. When you’re sitting in a comfortable living room with just a few people, there’s far more possibilities to talk with and minister to others.

Once the group becomes comfortable with each other and more knowledgeable about spiritual gifts, the leader can encourage the participants to confirm in each other their spiritual gifts in the small-group time. Gift discovery takes place in the process of serving one another, caring for one another and living the life of the body. When you find that God consistently blesses your efforts in a certain area that builds others up, you can confidently conclude that you have that particular gift.

Are the spiritual gifts given permanently?

There are two views on this. One view, the constitutional view, says that God gives us the gifts permanently. The other side, the situational view, says that God equips a person with a particular gift when the need arises.

I personally believe that God has permanently given each born-again believer at least one or more gift. And in this sense we need to discover what he has placed in us. Yet, I also realize that God is the gift giver, and that he reserves the right to drop any gift into our lives at anytime. We need to expect God to work in our lives at all times.







Author, Church Planter,
Teacher, Speaker
Joel Comiskey




About the Author:

Joel Comiskey (Ph.D. Fuller Seminary) is an internationally recognized church consultant and speaker. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador and is now founding pastor of a cell-based church in Southern California. Joel's books have sold 130,000 copies in North American and an additional 200,000 copies worldwide. His titles include: Home Cell Group Explosion (Touch Publications, 1998), How to Lead a Great Cell Group Meeting (Touch Publications, 2001), and An Appointment with the King (Chosen Books,2002). Joel teaches as an adjunct professor at several theological seminaries. Joel and his wife, Celyce, have three daughters and live in Moreno Valley,California.

Endorsements Include:

* Dr. Peter N. Nanfelt, President of the Christian and Missionary Alliance
* Larry Kreider, author House to House
* Billy Joe Daugherty, senior pastor of 12,000 member Victory Christian Center
* Dale Galloway, dean of the Beeson International Center

For more information go to:
http://www.joelcomiskeygroup.com/

Leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to get a free copy of Joel's book The Church that Multiplies!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Ethics, Honesty and Cheating - Striking Blows For or Against?

Recently, Dear Abby received a letter from a student that was surrounded by valedictorian candidates that routinely cheated. The response has been overwhelming. Well, what do you know, there are honest people that believe in ethics and honesty in America. I just wish I could find them or evidence of them somewhere other than a Dear Abby column.

Too often, we pontificate on the virtues of ethics and honesty; of exposing wrongdoing when it is encountered; of standing up for what Superman called "truth, justice, and the American Way," then turn our heads or close our eyes when we see the very things we so eloquently rail against in the safe harbor of conversation. As I mentioned here, just once in every person's life, we need to find that one thing that makes our blood boil, that thing to which we stand and seethe, "No more! This shall not pass!"

A great quote was shared in today's column in response to this issue. It's something we should all consider posting in our homes, classrooms, churches, and anywhere else we can manage to get it up as a reminder.


"Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice." - Robert F. Kennedy

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Blog Tour Tuesday 1: What is a cell church?

by Joel Comiskey

In preparation for another 3-part blog tour, I wanted to share this article with you. Joel Comiskey is a church consultant and speaker. He has served as a missionary with the C&MA in Quito, Ecuador and is now founding pastor of a cell-based church in Southern California.

What is a cell church?
Cell church in its simplest form is a strategic approach that emphasizes both cell and celebration on an equal basis.

In the cell church, cell is the church and celebration is the church. Every worshipper is encouraged to attend both the weekly cell group and the weekly celebration service.

Most people know what the Sunday church celebration looks like. Worshippers gather to hear the Word preached, worship the living God, and participate in the sacraments (e.g., the Lord 's Supper and baptism).

But what about the cell? The most common definition of a cell (and the one followed in this book) is this: a group of three to fifteen people who meet weekly outside the church building for the purpose of evangelism, community, and discipleship with the goal of multiplication.

Implicit in this definition is the overarching goal of glorifying God and achieving spiritual growth in Christ.

All small groups are not cell groups. One of the major differences between cell groups and generic small groups is the cell's emphasis on evangelism, leadership development, and multiplication in each cell.

Cell churches also have other types of ministries (e.g., ushering, worship, prayer, missions, and training). These ministries, however, are not called cell groups, even though the particular ministry might be small and a group.

The ministries in a cell church, rather, support the cell and celebration. Everyone participating in a church ministry is also actively involved in a cell group, if not leading one (this is especially true of elder and board leadership).

In the cell church, the cell group is the backbone, or center, of church ministry. Cell ministry replaces the need for many traditional programs.

I like to use the phrase "the cell-driven church" because church-growth success is primarily measured through infrastructure growth as the church grows from the core to the crowd.

Some churches have cell groups as one of the programs in the church. In this scenario, the senior pastor, while overseeing all the programs, delegates the small-group ministry to another person. In the cell church, however, the senior pastor is personally involved in cell ministry and is considered the point person and cell visionary.


Free Book Opportunity
FREE Book to the first ten church planters who contact Kathy and are willing to write a book review for a book to be released in September entitled Planting Churches that Reproduce: Starting a Network of Simple Churches.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

New Feature Announcement

Ok, so it's not completely new, just a new slant on an existing feature. As my regular readers know, I post blog tours of new books frequently. Sometimes scheduling them can be a little nightmarish, so to make it easier on me, and easier for you to have some routine in your lives (couldn't we all use a little more of that?!), I'm happy to announceBlog Tour Tuesdays

Just about every Tuesday, you'll find either a blog tour entry or an article to introduce a blog tour coming up. For the month of August, I'll have something less gender-specific than our last blog tour. We'll be visiting with and learning from Joel Comiskey, a church consultant and church planter that teaches the values of cell groups, discovering the gifts God has given us, and coaching others in leadership. Tune in next Tuesday for our first installment of Blog Tour Tuesday and read an article Joel has written to help define and explain cell churches and their importance.

See you Tuesday!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Sarah's Locks of Love

A little while ago, Sarah started in with the "I want a haircut" routine. She's never had more than a trim, so I was hesitant to say the least. I let her bug me for about a month. I figure if she still wants it after that long, she must really want it.

So after about 6 conversations covering it won't grow back for 2 years, I can't put it back if you don't like it, etc., etc., I did the big chop. We are donating it to Locks of Love.

And now for the pictorial review:
Sarah's long hair:

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Checking it out right after the cut:

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"Now what?"

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Excited

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She kept saying "Catfish!" every time she held up her hair.

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The front:

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The back:

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Big brother Brandon's reaction:

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Little sister Bethy's reaction:

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