Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Pray for each other

While this came to me as a forward from a friend, there is much to be said about the power of prayer and I just wanted to pass it on.

May everyone who receives this message be blessed. REMEMBER to pray. That's all you have to do. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing that God will answer.

"May today be all that you need it to be today.

May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight and conquer all your fears.

May God manifest himself today in ways that you have never experienced.

May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered. I pray
that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged and I pray that you step into your destiny within the ministry.

I pray for peace, health, happiness and true and undying love for God."


AMEN!

Hope you have a blessed day and be on the lookout for our next newsletter coming out in a few days!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Ministry Monday: The Where in Ministry

There is a cross stitch in my dining room I created that reads Bloom where you are planted. It is framed with dogwood blossoms and was created when I live in North Carolina. Where I lived if you looked out my back family room windows in the spring you would be treated to a woods filled with dogwood blossoms among the oaks trees that towered above them. At the time I had a son in kindergarten and one not ready for preschool. I was a stay home mom and my kids and my home were my ministry. The wisdom of the little saying I had seen cross stitched and hung on my older sister’s family room wall helped remind me to be content where I was. There is something inside me since I became a believer that just makes me want to serve. I had been active in the youth ministry at my church in Florida and wanted that again. It just wasn’t the right time. I was in a new church and still getting to know people. They were still getting to know me. I felt like my ministry was hampered when what I really was needed was a broader view of ministry.

Ministry happens and is meant to happen first where we are. If giving glory to God is giving others a correct estimation of the character of God, then how we serve at home, how we care for our family matters. It is the requirement for deacons and elders to have their household in order. If they have not mastered this first, then they are not qualified to serve in the church in leadership. We cannot ignore our family and say we serve others. It is wrong.

Clearly in the Bible Jesus speaks about going into the world and preaching the gospel and making disciples of the nations. In the book of Acts it is given more clarity, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

That is easy to translate that into, “you will be my witnesses first in your city, state, region, and nation and to the rest of the world.” We are to be involved some way in this strategy of outreach. We cannot do it all ourselves. Not everyone is called to foreign missions. The best way to cover the where of ministry is to be involved in a local church where ministry goes on at all these levels. Then when as you live out your faith, and as you are able to participate, you will have the opportunity to serve in your city, state region, nation and world. I think short term mission trips are the best means to serve in these various spheres of influence. I think your ministry should start locally. Why travel to Africa to do VBS, if you won’t help at VBS in your church, or in your city. I think if you want to go on a foreign mission trip that your training should begin at home. Why go to Seattle to help plant a church when you won’t invite your neighbor to church. We need to broaden our view of ministry on the local level. We need to broaden our view of missions and ministry on the personal level too. Are we looking for opportunities around us to serve? Do we say to the people we know, the people whom we encounter during the day, “how can I help you?” and really mean it.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Ministry Monday: The Who in Ministry

When we think of ministry, do we look over our shoulder to someone behind us? Are we looking for the “other” whom we imagine is the one spoken to when someone mentions ministry? “Who me?” We think of ministers, now days, paid professionals with higher degrees, titles and privilege. We may think of an office filled by someone deserving of respect. But do we think of servant, relief, support, preparation? When we think of ministry Biblically these words should fill our minds. We should also see ourselves in the picture.

Why? Shouldn’t we leave ministry to the professionals? No, at the risk of the church crumbling at its very foundation. No, we are the body of Christ and if there is anything true, it is that we have been called to servanthood. We are:

"… a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. "
2 Corinthians 5:17-20

This verse very clearly includes us as believers in the concept and practical living out of the word ministry. We are called to ministry. We are called to be reconcilers. We are given a charge to bring others to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

So ministry is always about us. How we respond I believe depends on how we are called, how we are gifted and where we are placed. God has always done these things; called us, gifted us and place just where he wants us. Are we listening, using our gifts, aware of those around us and open to the still small voice and what God may want to do I our lives? We don’t need seminary. We don’t have to be a deacon. We certainly don’t have to be perfect, just available and willing. We shouldn’t let anyone disqualify us from service. We should not let anyone or anything keep us from responding to God.

Ministry Monday is about individuals and groups that have heard God’s call and answered it by simply doing what God asked. If you have answered God’s call to ministry and would like to share your ministry story email me, Ruth Eshbaugh at ruthieonart@ruthieonart.com. I am the webmaster for Good News Now and a writer for Lifted Magazine; I would like to write about what God is doing in your life.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Chrstian Music Festivals in September

There aren't many festivals coming up in September but since all of them are towards the beginning of the month, we thought it might be a good idea to get this list out to you sooner than later!


September 1, 2007
Celebrate Freedom with Luis Palau
Atlanta, GA, USA
http://www.palau.org/celebratefreedomatlanta/

September 7-8, 2007
Rock the Universe
Universal Studios Orlando, FL, USA
http://www.rocktheuniverse.com/

September 8, 2007
Godstock
Fairfield, IL, USA
http://www.godstock.com

New in Travel on LiftedMagazine.com

The Unique Antique


Everyone has heard and probably even sung the children's tune "London Bridge is falling down." But few know it's surprising and somewhat tragic history. There have been at least five London Bridges rebuilt over the Thames River in England in the last 2,000 years and each bridge has its own tale of adventure.

In 1968, a wealthy businessman named Robert McCulloch purchased a crumbling London Bridge for over two-million dollars. At the time, it was recorded as the most expensive antique ever sold. Then he packed up the bridge and shipped it from London to its new home in the Arizona desert.


Lake Havasu City gave a new life to the London Bridge, yet ironically, the city received a new life of its own upon the bridge’s completion in 1971. Once a vast expanse of land, a man-made lake and a few shops, the opening day of the London Bridge drew in an excess of 50,000 spectators.


Today more than two-million tourists visit Lake Havasu City for its unique blend of history and present-day recreation.


Lampposts, which were fashioned out of cannons captured in the Battle of Waterloo, line the streets of the mock English village. Visible scars mark the granite bridge reminiscent of a WWII Nazi attack.


In contrast to the rich history, jet-ski’s and boats dot the crystal blue water surrounded by a coastline of campgrounds, fishermen and beaches.
The history of the London Bridge is like an action-packed movie or a good fiction book. It should be interesting to see what adventures are in store for this unique antique in centuries to come. Read the full story here.


Thursday, August 16, 2007

New in Entertainment on LiftedMagazine.com

Because we have so many great new articles flowing in each week, we're going to take a few moments to highlight some of them for you right here, in addition to our usual monthly newsletter. What you find featured here on the blog you usually won't find in our newsletters so be sure to sign up for both!

A Moment with Brent Barrett: Broadway and Recording Artist Extraordinaire

Brent gives us advice about life ("As a friend said, 'This is not a dress rehearsal; this is the only life you have.' Everyday is a gift. Take it and make it the best you can."), love ("...My new puppies, Boris and Bianca, my 9-month-old Shih Tzu’s...are the sweetest beings on earth.") and much more. Read the full interview here.


TheatreWorks presents The Elephant Man: The true life story of a remarkable man
A wonderful performance by the whole cast, TheatreWorks’ production of The Elephant Man was done in a manner which not only focused on the physical deformity and emotional pain of the main character, but brought a vast array of life's morals and lessons to light. Religion, acceptance, love, pain, intelligence, tolerance and facing ones own internal imperfections were readily understood. Brilliantly directed by Robert Kelley, and skillfully written for the stage by Bernard Pomerance, this production allowed the audience to place themselves in the shoes of someone who suffered greatly in his life, but through his suffering taught others the importance of tolerance and understanding for people’s differences, no matter what they may be. A true teacher of tolerance and compassion, Joseph Merrick’s life will continue to profoundly touch generations to come. Read our full review here


Coming soon

We'll also be featuring interviews with Shane Sparks (judge from Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance") and Leilene Ondrad (a.k.a. "Smiley" from the reality show "Flavor of Love" and now on the show "Charmed School")

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Ministry Monday: Puzzle

I have a theory. I believe there are basically two kinds of people, those who like to play cards and those who like to put puzzles together. I am definitely in the puzzle person category. There isn’t really a reason why we puzzle people are what we are, it seems to be a natural occurrence, as my theory goes.

I think it explains why I like serving in the Church. It is like one BIG jig-saw puzzle. There are all sorts of pieces, people pieces, and details to be attended to pieces, personality pieces, talents and gifts pieces. There are young pieces and not so young pieces. And somehow we are all suppose to fit together. Each one of us has a unique place in the big picture in the fellowship of believer in our local church and beyond.

How is it possible for us to all fit together? First, we have a Master Planner who lays out our puzzle ahead of time. He already knows where we are going. He had something in mind when He brought us all together. He’s the one who stands over our shoulder and says, “do you see that piece over there?” Sure enough, it’s the one we’ve been looking for, for at least a half an hour.

Second, I don’t know about you, but at my house it takes the whole family to put a puzzle together. We lay it out on the dining room table for days and we take turns forming the edges and filling in the center. Sometimes we work together, some times alone or in pairs. Often at our house we find ourselves staying up very late to do, “just one more piece.” That’s how the church and its ministries fit together. Over time as we continue to come together, things fall into place, friendships are formed, we become a community. But you know, something I’ve observed is that as a puzzle begins to take form, we tend to tackle the most obvious pieces first . I guess it is because they are easily recognizable. We are sure where they belong. There is comfort in finding our place. But with the complete picture in mind we cannot stop and be satisfied to find only our place in the community. We should continue to work, sometimes late in the night, to fill out the remaining holes in the puzzle, the areas that aren’t so recognizable. It may take effort on our part, a willingness to venture out into the unknown. It means reaching out to new people, being willing try out our gifts, to give freely of our time and talents. It means to not be satisfied being on the sidelines, but to join in. It takes a commitment to the body of Christ.

Where is your place? Maybe you already know. If so, let me encourage you to begin to help others find their place. Maybe you are aware of an area of ministry that isn’t complete and needs to be filled in.

I think you get the picture.


"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:19

The next few weeks I want to write about "What is ministry?"

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Ministry Monday: Celebrate Recovery

There has been a lot in the news written about celebrities and rehab recently. I am the webmaster for an online news site called Good News Now, http://www.goodnewsnow.com/. Every day I read about 25 news sites looking for “good news” stories. Some days there is not a lot of "good news" to be found. Today was like that. But I did find an article about rehab. It was written from the point of view of an adult child of an alcoholic whose mother got help. Emily L. Hauser who writes for the Dallas Morning News talks about how rehab saves lives. It saves lives not just of the addict, but of the children of those caught in the destruction of an addiction. It is really worth the time it takes to read.

Seeing rehab for what it really is Behind the gossip is a place where lives are changed - and saved

The truth is not every one who needs rehab gets into rehab. It is expensive and not always available to the uninsured or under insured. But that doesn’t mean there is no help for those who suffer with addiction and desire to get help. Twelve step programs like AA and NA give access to anyone who will walk through the door and give sobriety a chance. I got sober in AA twenty five plus years ago. It does work if you work the program.

In the last fifteen years there has been a new group that has made head way in the recovery business. It is a Christ centered program called Celebrate Recovery. Its focus is on changing lives from the inside out. Celebrate Recovery distinguishes recovery from sobriety. I dare say it seeks to take the 12 steps of AA a step further. It does that in its central focus being a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ and a commitment to working out Biblical principles in a community of believers. This working out in community is accomplished by accountability partners, sponsor/sponsee relationships, small group and study group accountability. The thing I like most about CR as it is called, is that it really works for anyone with life issues. If we are honest we all have them. CR claims to save lives. It also claims to change lives and bring inner peace and healing. For me twenty five years sober it is a refuge from the storms of life and safe place to deal with inner issues and find healing.

If you would like to know more about Celebrate Recovery visit their website.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

New for August at Liftedmagazine.com!!

Food & Healthy Living

Jesse Brune: Your Happy Living Expert
Brune is a certified trainer and chef, and shares some of his philosophy on staying healthy, what to eat, and the mindset and emotional side of a workout routine. In this candid interview, Brune talks with Lifted Magazine’s Andrew Moreno about his past struggles with his own insecurities, while also speaking to the importance of remaining positive.


Relationships

From This Side of the Aisle
As this month's Lifted newsletter is published, Michael D. Duty celebrates eleven years of marriage to his wonderful wife. Along the way, they've both grown, matured and changed.


Election 2008

Dr. George Phillies – A New Kind of President
As our political dialog continues, Lifted Magazine and Andrew Moreno decided to continue in our pursuit to fully educate our readers on select presidential candidates. This time around, Lifted Magazine's Andrew Moreno sat down with Dr. George Phillies, a 2008 Libertarian Presidential Candidate.


Ministry Showcase

Art Informed by Faith
Sometimes something influences your life unexpectedly. You read a book, meet a person or experience a loss or illness and your life changes. If the influence is profound enough, your world view may even change. For Raleigh artist Kathy Ammon it was a sermon (or to be exact a series of sermons) she heard at her new church, Apex United Methodist Church, that moved her life and her art into a new direction.


Read more of our recently added Faith articles:

Read more of our recently added entertainment articles:

What's coming up soon on LiftedMagazine.com?

  • Brett Barrett from Las Vegas' Phantom of the Opera
  • Career: Interviewing as a Christian
  • College: Tips for Entering Freshmen
  • We Are Marshall DVD Review
  • Theatrical Review of The Elephant Man
  • and much, much more!

Christian Music Festivals in August

I'm a few days late and some of these have kicked off already - but that doesn't mean it's too late to join in the fun! It's another long list of music festivals this time around!! We even have a few for those visiting or living in the UK.



August 1-4, 2007
Soul Fest
Gilford, NH, USA
http://www.thesoulfest.com

August 2-4, 2007
Spirit West Coast 2007
Monterey, CA, USA
http://www.spiritwestcoast.org/

August 3-5, 2007
Creation Fest 2007
Woolacombe, Devon, UK
http://www.creationfest.org.uk/

August 5-8, 2007
Kingdom Bound 2007
Park Resort, NY, USA
http://www.kingdombound.org/

August 9-11, 2007
Unity Music Festival
Muskegon, MI, USA
http://www.unitymusicfestival.com/

August 10-11, 2007
Rock the Desert
Midland, TX, USA
http://www.rockthedesert.com/

August 17-18, 2007
Higher Ground Music Festival 2007
Winsted, MN, USA
http://www.hgmusicfest.com/

August 17-18, 2007
Purple Door 2007
Lewisberry, PA
http://www.purpledoor.com/

August 17-19, 2007
Freedom Fest 2007
Snohomish, WA, USA
http://www.freedomfest.org/

August 24-27, 2007
Greenbelt Festival
Cheltenham, UK
http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/

August 31 - September 2, 2007
2007 LifeLight Festival
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
http://www.lifelight.org

August 31 - September 2, 2007
Rock the Light
Kansas City, MO, USA
http://www.rockthelight.com/