Thanksgiving

Thank you all so much for your prayers and concern and excouragement.

An update on Preacherman:

They think they've stopped the progression of the Guillian-Barre' Syndrome with a drug called IVIG (Intravenous Immune Globulin). Thank God they actually have treatment for this now. When he had this 25 years ago, the only option was to wait.

I really think that he has a great purpose here for God because he has been reminded more than once just how precious the gift of our lives is. It sort of puts the important things into the right place on the to-do list, doesn't it?

He had a bad day yesterday. Kinney has always suffered from severe migraine headaches, but the treatments seem to be giving Kinney those headaches, too. We were told that this might happen, so we were prepared. Today at 4p.m. is his last treatment and I pray that this will stop his headaches for a while so he can begin rehab.

He will be moved to the rehab floor on Monday and will be given rehab for 3 hours a day everyday. He cannot walk or use his hands well, but he is using them better than before the treatments began. He will have to relearn how to do everything again. It will be a long road, but I think God will be glorified in it.

Please bless us with your prayers,

Love to you all,

Mrs. Preacherman

Please pray for Preacherman

brothers ans sisters,

This is not Preacherman, but actually Mrs. Precherman.

I'm afraid that we have some tragic news today. Preacherman is in the Intensive Care Unit of Sid Peterson Hospital in Kerrville, Texas.

As some of you know, he had a disease as a child (Guillian-Barre' Syndrome) which paralyzed and almost killed him. Well, it's back. It's sort of like lightening. It's unusual to be struck once, but almost unheard of to be struck twice.

Last Thursday I brought him to the Emergency Room because he had begun falling at different times. They did several MRIs and other tests including 2 spinal taps and gave us a diagnosis today. He began treatment today, but as of yet, there is no change in his condition.

I will try and update all of you as much as possible, and when he regains the use of his hands again, maybe he will be blogging again. In the meantime, please lift him up in prayer and maybe he could give me his thoughts to share with you.

Thank you, Mrs. Preacherman

Christianity and The Environment

We read in Genesis that God created the heavens and the earth. Over and over again God said, "It is good." It was created for us for our good. The questions I have are: Should Christians be concerned about taking care of the earth. Should we be concerned about the environment? Why? Or Why not? Should the church stress that Christians should take care for the earth that God has created? What can we do take better care of the earth that God has created? For those who believe in the renewed earth how does taking care of the environment now play a role? Do we fail to see the importance of taking care of the environment becuase of our view of heaven and the earth a temporary place?
What do you think?
sShare your thoughts.

Heroes Of Faith

Each one of us have those people in life who have made a difference and helped shaped our faith. Preachers, Youth Ministers, Bible Class Teachers, Relatives, ETC. Who helped mold and shape who we are today.
I think about Preacher Pat as we called him growing up. I think of a Bible class teacher Wynona Harper who was there on time waiting to give you a word of encouragement as you entered her class room. Youth Minister Scott Jarvis who gave his time and encouraged our faith through creative activities and service projects. Professors Stacy Patty, Ken Crukrowski, and others who challenged your mind and theology on countless issues. Mom and dad who made you go to church every Sunday, wed., gospel meetings, etc. Showed you how to pray. Granny who lived the Christian life to everyone she met.
So who is your hero of faith? Who has helped shaped your spiritual life? Preacher? Youth Minister? Bible Class Teacher? Professor? Relative?
Who is your hero of faith and why?
Share your thoughts.

Alcoholics Anonymous

In ministry I have learned that everyone has problems. It is important for ministers to be informed and to have an open mind when ministering to people with different problems. I whole heartedly believe that the church is to be a place where people find God, find healing, strength, support and community.
As ministers and leaders of the church we must understand that even those who seem to have it right are sometimes powerless over things such as alcohol, drugs and other addict behaviors. I understand that some Christians view addiction as sin. Is it sin? Or an illness? Is there more factors that we should consider? Genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain play a role in what might cause someone to have an addiction, depression and other problems that we see many in congregations suffering with.
One drink for some people can cause that person to become an alcoholic. Why? The brain, family history, genetics. We must care about those who have addictions in our churches. We must understand that they need help to over come. Preaching, "Stop It! Sinner" wont cut it. We must be educated and lead and minister to those with addictions. I believe this is essential in making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Over the past year or so I have gone with one of our members who is an alcoholic. He has had other addictive behavior in the past as well; but alcohol has been his main struggle for many, many years. I have seen and heard testimonies of men and women who have been changed by Alcoholics anonymous and the 12 step program.
AA and the 12-step program does have a spiritual appeal to the person with the illness.

Questions to consider for discussion:
How wonderful it would be if the church would inform there members about AA and meetings. Even host them in their buildings. Take members of congregations to meetings and get them the help that they need. How would this effect those members with addiction. What message would it send? Does your church currently support or sponsor AA? Have you participated in the program with someone who needed help or even yourself? Would you like to share your testimony? Has the churches view been what it should when it comes to addiction? Have we done what we could for those with addictions? How has the church viewed the addict in the past and will it change in future? How should we?


Thank God for programs like AA and what a wonderful tool it can be for the church if we would use it.

If you would like more information you can check out the following sites:
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12-step_program

I hope this challenges us as ministers, church leaders and Christians to make a difference in the lives of those who are suffering from addiction.

Discuss and share your thoughts.

Wisdom From An Inmate

As I was looking for a Bible to read this morning, I came across a Bible that had been given to me by an inmate. Looking through the Bible I came across countless passages that had been highlighted, underlined, and many notes throughout. In the back of the Bible on the last blank page he had written,

1965-1970

"Locked up in solitary confinement

removed from interaction with another

human soul, a man has only the experience

of himself. He has been taken to his death...

a living death.

What do you think of this quote?

Discuss and share your thoughts.

Do We See America As A Missional Point?

I don't want you to get me wrong "I LOVE AMERICA." I am thankful for the freedoms that we enjoy. But is America Really A Christian Nation?

I personally believe that America has become a missional point. Many people are unaware of the good news of Jesus Christ. America has changed over the decades. It is no longer a society of Ozzy and Harriet but a society of Ozzy and Sharon. It is no longer Father Knows Best but a society were Father is absent and mother, grandparents, daddy's or mommy's know's best. America has declined morally in many ways over the years: absentee fathers, broken homes, teenage pregrancy, increase in STD's, greed, power, abuses, crime, the mindset of tolerance and relativism and on and on. Has the Church ignored the these issues? Have we been living isolated from the world instead of it?
Sundays for most American's is a day to relax, sleeping in, trying to get rid of the hang-over from the night before, going golfing, spending time with family and watching football. Churches have to compete with that. As the church and Christians we have to undertand that society has changed. It isn't what it used to be. So the quesstions I have:

Have churches been more focused on self than missional? If so, how have you seen it? Do we see America as a missional point? Why or Why not? How do we compete with American's views of Sundays? How can we reach the lost and be more missional minded? What ways can you and your church make a differnce in your community? What is your church doing now to reach the lost and make disciples? What do you think is the best way to evangelize? Do we base growth of the church on "church hoppers" or new converts?
What do think?
Share your thoughts.