Mission Minded Children

Greetings:

The Lower School spent two days at the ACSI Convention in Washington, D.C. right before Thanksgiving. The emphasis was on Transforming lives. We are called to reach children with the good news, and to help them become Mission minded in this world.

In her book The Mission Minded Child: Raising a New Generation to Fulfill God's Purpose (Colorado Springs: Authentic Publishing, 2007, pp. 2-4), Ann Dunagan lists some of the distinctives of kids who are developing a heart for missions.

A mission minded child...

• ...dreams of fulfilling God's destiny.
• ...May want to become a missionary--or a teacher or a doctor or a newspaper reporter or a state governor or a pastor or a businessperson or an airplane pilot or an author or a florist or a mother--as long as its what God wants.
• ...prays for that next-door neighbor.
• ...is not a picky eater!
• ...takes home a photo magnet from the visiting missionary family and puts it on the kitchen refrigerator.
• ...is healthy, active, and adventurous.
• ...spends a summer night sleeping outside on the trampoline, gazes up at a sky filled with twinkling stars, and realizes God's plan is infinitely bigger than his or her own backyard.
• ...imagines rollerblading on the Great Wall of China!
• ...recognizes the names of David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, and Loren Cunningham.
• ...knows how to use chopsticks.

This is the first ten things she lists - tomorrow I will list the remaining nine. Do your students and children exhibit any of these? How can we challenge them to be like this?

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

True religion

Greetings:

James 1: 26,27 (The Message) - Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

"What you do speaks louder than what you say." I remember hearing that one time, and it cut me to the quick. I was trying to reach a fellow co-worker at a job with the gospel message. However, being immature, I began to "fit in" with the other guys at work. Nothing really bad - but a little "off-color" in many areas. Finally, one day when I was trying to guide the conversation to his need for Christ, he said those words. I was stunned. I was humiliated. I lost my opportunity to reach this young man. We must be careful what we do - at all times, in all ways.

Louis Nizer, an American Lawyer said, "True religion is the life we lead, not the creed we profess." What is your life saying?

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Nicknames

Greetings:

Acts 4:36 - "Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)...."

Tradition has it that, in 1803, Nicholas Hugh Sinep, the mayor of New Iberia, Louisiana, officially decided to be known as "Nick" instead of Nicholas. His new "Nick-name" supposedly provided a label for the practice of shortening names or assigning names reflecting aspects of character-that is, nicknames.

Nicknames are nothing new, of course. They not only go back to 1803 but back 1,800 years-and more! One of the most well-known nicknames in Scripture is "Barnabas." Barnabas's real name was Joseph. He was a Jew, a Levite from the island of Cyprus, who became a believer in Jesus, perhaps at Pentecost (Acts 2). Because Joseph was known for his encouraging spirit, people began to call him Barnabas, or "son of encouragement" in Hebrew (Acts 4:36).

What kind of nickname do people use for you? If others were to assign you a nickname - what would it be? Friendly? Nosy? Tale-bearer? Helper? Christ-like?

Think about that today. How do you want people to think of you.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

12 Days of Christmas - $87 Grand!!

Greetings:

I just received some depressing news --

According to the annual "Christmas Price Index," the tally for the gifts of the 12 days of Christmas increased 10.9%.

This is up $8,508 from last year. If you are so romantically inclined to give what the song suggests, you will need $86,609.

Now, on a teacher's salary I am sure this seems too extravagant. So, look for ways to save. As one writer suggested - instead of two turtle-doves, how about two Dove chocolate bars. Instead of 10 Lord's a' Leading - how about a "Riverdance" DVD. After all, isn't it the thought that counts?

In fact, that is exactly what counts. It should not be about how extravagant a gift, but about the love that goes into choosing it. It is not about the price tag, but about the taking time to choose the right gift.

During this Christmas Season, let's not get caught up in the spending, but in the sending of care to those we love.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc

Full time ministers

Greetings:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:16,17).

I read the following story, and thought I would share it with you today.

Jonathon was a twenty-five year old son of a pastor who was working in his local Christian bookstore. He started seminary but was unable to finish because of a lack of finances. He was OK with working in the store, but felt it was second-best. In fact, sometimes he felt he had "missed his calling."

Then one day a young woman wondered into the store. She was distressed. She was not a believer. Her husband had just left her and she did not know where to turn. She was walking through the mall when she noticed the store. She decided to walk in, not knowing why.

"Hello, may I help you?" said Jonathon. "Well... I don't know. I saw your sign and just came in." Right then, she began to cry. She told Jonathon about her plight, not knowing why she would do such a thing with a perfect stranger. Jonathon listened and began to talk with her. Before the conversation was over, Jonathon had prayed with the woman and led her to faith in Christ.

That night Jonathon pondered what had happened that day. He realized he had personally led a woman into eternity by being available in his workplace. He felt a new sense of purpose behind what he thought was simply a job to put food on the table until he could get to his real ministry. He confessed to the Lord his wrong view of his work. For the first time, he realized it was ministry too.

We have often viewed Christian vocations as the only full-time Christian service. However, God has to have His people in every sphere of life. Many would never hear the message, see the truth, or come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ without "full-time Christian servants" in every profession.

Whatever your calling in life - let Jesus shine through and seek to discover how you can be a full-time servant where you are. An old preacher told me one time - "Bloom where you are planted." Let the fragrance of your life lead others to Him.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc