The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.
Leadership Lessons From Vacation Bible School
Sometimes, you can learn some great lessons in the most unlikely of places. Like this week’s Vacation Bible School at our church.
This week is our annual VBS. But we are taking a twist on the normal routine and going a bit different than we ever have.
Typically, we do a program that is from one of the major Christian publishers, like Group or Zondervan or Standard. But this year, we took a deep look at it, and decided that our Vacation Bible School program is more of an outreach than anything else. Although we strive to disciple the kids who are a part of our church through events like this, we wanted to reach out to those who may not be a part of a church regularly.
So we decided to do a week that was different than anything we have ever attempted. We decided to do a sports camp style VBS. As we planned it, we knew that this could be a big thing for our church and community. And it could be great, or it could flop.
We started our week on Monday, and we got off to a great beginning. And I am excited to see what the rest of the week holds.
But as we are moving along, I have noticed a couple of things.
Coffee Break – 06.06.2016
Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration
On this day in history: In 1833, Andrew Jackson became the first U.S. president to ride in a train. It was a B&O passenger train. In 1925, Chrysler Corporation was founded by Walter Percy Chrysler. In 1932, the first federal tax on gasoline went into effect in the US. It was a penny per gallon. And in 1944, the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II, commonly known as D-Day.
The Problem With Blonde Roasts – I enjoy a lighter roasted coffee, mainly because I enjoy the flavors of the coffee and not the taste of the roast that most darker roasts have. But if you go too light, such as a blonde roast, you enter a whole new world of problems with your coffee.
Meet The Artist Who Started The Rock Balancing Sculptures Trend – This guy is pretty creative. You may have seen some of his balanced rock sculptures floating around the Internet. Here are a few more examples of his work.
Qwerky Writer – I really enjoy vintage writing tools. But I am also a tech gadget fan. This device merges the two beautifully. But at $350, I don’t see one in my near future. It’s still a very cool idea though.
Killroy Was Here – Long before memes circulated on the Internet, there was a viral phrase that traveled around the world during World War 2. This video gives a great overview of that tidbit of history.
Memorize Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9
Hiding God’s Word In Our Hearts
Peter had seen Jesus Christ. His readers had not. And although some of them were probably alive during the life of Christ, their location was distant, and they never had a chance to see him for themselves. Peter stresses that fact in this week’s passage.
You can see it for yourself in 1 Peter 1:8-9.
Peter had walked with Jesus, watching him perform miracles, hearing him teach, experiencing life with his Master. Since he had visually seen the Savior, it may have been easier for him to place his faith in him. But his readers, scattered around the world, had no such opportunities to see Christ. Peter makes a significant point out of this to reassure them in their struggles and suffering.
Peter had experienced the love of Christ first hand. Remember just before the crucifixion, Peter boldly stated that Jesus was the Messiah, and then rejected and denied him three times. At the end of John’s gospel, Jesus restores Peter by asking him three times if Peter loved him. Of course he did.
This experience probably set the stage for a certain level of amazement at the faith of his readers. He had see Jesus. He had had this conversation with Jesus about love. But the people to whom he is writing had not, and yet they still loved Jesus. I wonder if Peter was stunned at their level of faith, amazed that they could love without seeing.
You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
James Allen, in How Successful People Think
(Center Street, 2009), p. 123
Top Posts For May 2016
Reviewing The Month On JeffRandleman.com
Summer has hit around the Randleman home. The kids are out of school (for the most part), and almost finished with summer school. The weather has been nice enough to hang the hammock out and enjoy the fresh air. And the grass is growing fast enough to need cut almost twice a week!
With June comes such things as church camp, Vacation Bible School, and a whole lot more. I think it is probably safe to say that the summer will be pretty busy.
Along with all of that, I am continuing to pursue my studies with ICR’s School of Biblical Apologetics, moving into a few courses that are more theological in nature. And I am launching a new business venture, in the area of photography. You can check out some of my work at photography.jeffrandlean.com.
It’s a wonder I even find time to read and write anymore. However, I am looking forward to several opportunities to hang out that hammock and grab a book this summer, and relish the thought of listlessly swinging in the breeze. It will be great!
In the realm of blogging, the month of May has been fairly consistent, if not as prolific as I would like, when it comes to creating new content. It seems like there is always something that keeps me busy, and I don’t have the opportunity to write as much as I would like. Granted, we are in the midst of a very busy season of life, as well as ministry, but my goal is to increase my writing in the coming weeks and months.
Coffee Break – 05.30.2016
Your Monday Dose Of Inspiration - Memorial Day Edition
In the United States, today is Memorial Day. Originally observed in 1868, and called Decoration Day, this day was established as a day to decorate the graves of those who were killed in the Civil War. After World War I, the observance was expanded to include those who fell in all American wars. Memorial Day was officially declared a national holiday by Congress in 1971, and placed on the last Monday in May.
We all need to be reminded of the sacrifice that many have given to ensure our freedom. In honor of Memorial Day, I thought you might appreciate reading President Reagan’s Memorial Day Proclamation for May 25, 1981.
Over one hundred years ago, Memorial Day was established to commemorate those who died in the defense of our national ideals. Our ideals of freedom, justice, and equal rights for all have been challenged many times since then, and thousands of Americans have given their lives in many parts of the world to secure those same ideals and insure for their children a lasting peace. Their sacrifice demands that we, the living, continue to promote the cause of peace and the ideals for which they so valiantly gave of themselves.
Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace — a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation.
In recognition of those Americans whom we honor today, the Congress, by joint resolution of May 11, 1950 (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and a period during such day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 1981, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11 o’clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I urge the press, radio, television, and all other information media to cooperate in this observance. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the appropriate officials of all local units of Government to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff during this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control, and I request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who have lost loved ones defending the American Way.
If you are interested n finding out more about Memorial Day, here are a few resources: