Preacher’s Pen|…just some thoughts…

As many of you already know, Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor yesterday. He is currently being released from the hospital to travel to his home.

I am sure, in fact I know, that Senator Kennedy and I disagree on a wide range of topics and the chances are we might agree on some. I wonder how many people in the world disagree with his policies and forget to pray for him? I will readily admit I do not have the answers to solve the political mess of the world, nor do I want to become engaged in a Political discussion, but I want you to think of prayer for a moment.

While you may disagree with Senator Kennedy, or even agree with him, since his brain tumor diagnosis, have you prayed for him? Why did you now pray for him before the serious words from the doctor?

A great question should be asked, “Are we praying now for future events; whether good or bad?”

Why do we wait until the bad happens before we pray?

Why do we wait until we are asked to pray for someone to actually pray for them?

What are your thoughts?

As most Americans do, I made a trip to Wal-Mart for some items relating to the new church building along with some personal things. My family joined me there since we were both needing to go there and spend our money, we decided to meet at the Wal-Mart.

After wandering around aimlessly in the store, I decided to check out while Carrie waited at the Pharmacy. My partner in crime, Caleb, went with me as we checked out and made our way to the car. While we waited, we opened the trunk of my wife’s SUV and sat on the bumper. We watched the birds, trees, buggies, people spending hard earned cash, people spending credit, blah blah blah….then here he came.

“Excuse me sir,” he said as his eye beamed widely at me and my son, “Can I ask you a couple of questions?”

My response was the same to this young man as it is to many in his position, “Sure, but only if you agree that if I prove you wrong you change religions and if you prove me wrong I will change my religion.”

He response, “It is not about proving each other wrong.”

My response, “Fair enough. Prove me right.” (I could not resist, after all I am in the trunk of a car in Wal-Mart of all places.)

As we talked I asked him one simple question, “Sir, can I make it to heaven without the book of Mormon.” He never answered the question but changed subjects. I answered his question only to have him change to a different topic. After 20 minutes of discussion, he laughed as my question regarding the Lord’s Supper and I express my frustration at his laughter over a serious subject. Once again I asked, “Sir, can I make it to heaven without the book of Mormon?” Still no response but a changed subject.

As we talked another 20 minutes, I asked the same question and his eyes looked to the ground as laughter proceeded form his lips. At this point I had enough of the rambling changing of subjects and laughter among the serious subject of lost souls, so I told him his laughter showed a disrespect for the salvation of souls and became his mask as he avoided the questions of the seriousness of the Bible. His lack of respect was clearly seen as his eyes would not focus on mine. I asked again, “Sir, can I make it to heaven without the book of Mormon?”

His answer changed our discussion, his answer was, “You can make it to heaven without any book?”

WOW! I was not expecting that, but my response was the same, “If I can make it to heaven without any book, then why do I need the book of Mormon.” His laughter grew louder. He looked at me and laughed out loud and said, “You are soooo wrong.” I responded, “Prove me wrong.” He laughed all the more.

Friends, I was unclear one could make it to heaven without any books, even the Bible. This Mormon missionary has be steered wrong in many ways, but look how far he reached now — Without the teachings of the Bible, one can make it to heaven.

It is sad to see people telling the lost of salvation apart from Jesus, but it is just as troubling if we sit back and do nothing.

We must act and we must act now! We are at a place and time for a reason, use it to reach out to those around us before it is too late.

Remember, it is through the everlasting Word we read about our Savior Jesus!

Thanks for listening to my rambling again!

Summertime is just around the corner and that means the everlasting rush to get VBS done. A close friend of mine and I were talking about the process of getting ready for VBS and I thought I might give some hints to get VBS done better each year. Remember, I am no VBS guru, but I have learned some vital necessities of getting VBS done well and it has nothing to do with me, but the people involved make it happen.

It used to be the preacher was the one “volunteered” to handle VBS, but the trend is changing and people are now more involved. So if this does not apply to you, pass this list along to someone else.

Here are Gallagher’s Rules for VBS:

Start early - Don’t wait until two weeks before VBS to begin handing out the material and drafting teachers! This is possibly the second worst mistake you can make with VBS.

Here is a timeline I used for VBS:

• Six Months form VBS Start Date - First meeting to gather teachers, helpers, maintenance crew, snack people, and any other area needed.
• Five months from VBS Start Date - Begin gathering material or ideas for material if your plan to create your own.
• Four Months from VBS Start Date - Begin sending postcards to family, friends, visitors, and even the congregation to remind them of the VBS date. Publicize the VBS date on the Internet.
• Three Months from VBS Start Date - Gather your Decorating Crew together and brainstorm for materials and ideas for decorations.
• Two Months (8 weeks) from VBS Start Date - Pass out material to the teachers and ask if they need anything and be sure to get it. Advertise VBS again in the community paper, direct mail, word of mouth, postcards, whatever is takes to get the word out. Be sure a sign is placed on the church property noting VBS is coming.
• Six Weeks from VBS Start Date - Begin Door knocking opportunities and create posters to be passed out to the community bulletin boards in grocery stores, etc. Arrange for transportation of kids whose parents cannot bring them; begin now to get volunteers.
• Four Weeks from VBS Start Date - Gather every VBS member together and as if there is anything needed. Whatever is needed, get someone other than yourself to be responsible for getting it and delivering it.
• Three Weeks from VBS Start Date - The Decorating Team should be placing the final touches on the decorations and material. Also, more flyers need passed out and sent to each contact.
• Two Weeks from VBS Start Date - The teachers need to be asked if there is anything they need. Constant encouragement is needed because of their powerful role.
• One Week from VBS Start Date - Pray! The final touches need placed on VBS and the congregation needs to be regularly encouraged to be there.
• The Day of VBS - Drink Coffee, Jolt Cola, Mountain Dew and eat lots of Twinkies - you will need it!

Gallagher’s Notable VBS  Techniques:

• Always encourage your VBS staff - Write them notes weekly, email them, call them and be there for them. Make sure they are taken care of, because they will take care of the children during the week.
• NEVER MICRO-MANAGE! Now stand up and say it with me, “I WILL NOT MICRO-MANAGE VBS!”  I wil say more about this later in the week. Trust me, come back for more!
• Involve Everyone - Make sure everyone in your congregation is involved in some way. Get those who like to talk on the phone to make phone calls inviting people, get the computer savvy to develop a web page for VBS, let no one out. Get a new Christian to be an assistant and watch them grow.
• No Skimping on Snacks - No generic gospel, no generic snacks!
• Reward the rewardable - make sure you reward the children for a job well done. Give Bibles to those who brought others, give good gifts to those who work hard.
• Acknowledge your staff each day - At each gathering thank, show appreciation and acknowledge the great qualities of your staff. Provide your staff with rewards as well.

Gallagher’s After VBS Techniques

• Food! After VBS is over, have a meal for everyone who took part in VBS and thank them for all the work they have done.
• Review VBS! Soon after VBS, but separate form the Appreciation Meal, have a VBS review. Be open and honest, let people voice opinions and discuss situations that could be improved and situations that are great. Bring the good and the improvable to the forefront of the discussions.

The techniques listed above is a brief look at the way VBS worked for me. Here in Mount Pleasant, we do not have a VBS yet, but I am sure we will one day. I look forward to the day to put theses techniques back to work.

I took these techniques and tweaked them over the years and saw a great increase in attendance and performance, but most of all the gospel being spread each year.

Remember — Start Early! and NEVER MICRO-MANAGE! (The micro-managing point will come in a few days!)

Just some thoughts…

Chris

The joy of watching my daughter’s softball team work their hardest to play their best is a memory I will have in my mind for all time. I enjoy watching their faces as they field a fast grounder, pick up the ball, pull back heir arm and throw a high arcing ball to first base. They enjoy every moment of it.

Tonight was a make-up game in another part of town due to the other team not showing up last week. The other team was good; they had a couple hard hit balls which found the gaps in the infield allowing girls on base and runs to score. Granted, our girls only had eight (8) players in the field compared to their thirteen (13). They literally had seven (7) players in the infield, but oh well. Our girls played as hard as they could.

One thing happened during the game causing our side to wonder about the caliber of the other team. It was at the beginning of an inning and the other team’s lead off batter hit a slow grounder to left side of the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the ball and ran to first base, clearly beating the runner by at least a step. What happened after this is interesting. The girl looked at her coach and her coach had watched the entire play develop and end, but he called the girl safe. The girl even looked confused because our pitcher was still standing on first base holding the ball. Safe?! A blind elephant from Iran clearly saw he runner was beaten by a full step!

What I realized next was the coach let his team continue to play in spite of his deception and the runner even realizing she was out. Our coaches and parents did the proper thing, they said, “What?!” then they let it slide. No harsh words were said, no angry actions were taken because our team is better than that.

But here is my diatribe tonight, “What did that girl see?” The girl on the other team saw that cheating, despite the obvious call was alright. She saw an adult, her coach, the one teaching her the game lie in order to win. What a crime! Our girls plainly saw it as well and I am sure they will shrug it off, because after all there were SNACKS!

I do not want a coach teaching my children such hypocritical values. I want the truth taught to my children, no matter what the cost. Our children need better. They need values as a foothold, but Christ as their foundation. His teachings (morals) are like non other and n one holds a candle to the Messiah. Consider Matthew 5 -7; and the power contained in his words!

Teach your children well, after all, they will follow actions of those they trust!

To our parents and coaches: Thank you for being true to the great values of life and teaching our children! You are appreciated!

Just some thoughts from Alexis’s dad! (AKA - Emma’s dad, Caleb’s dad and Carrie’s husband)