Things to Do (plus a gift)

Lately I've been working on several different things that I've been wanting to write about and yet I just haven't made the time for it. I seems that there just isn't enough time in the day to do all of the things that I'd like to do.

A couple of the things that I need to do:

I need to develop a suitable program for a public school venue. It has been a couple of years since I've done that type of program. In April, a church that I'll be preaching a revival at will book me into a couple of local schools for anti-drug/alcohol programs with an invitation to hear more about life choices I've made at the church in the evening. It's a great deal for the schools because the church underwrites the program. The schools get a very valuable product for free, and the church gets to make an invitation to come to revival and to bring your parents. At this point, it is a must do project.

I also have a possible walk-around gig at a mall. This event is in conjunction with a Redemption Tournament in Kansas City. I'm not sure about all of the details yet, but I'm working on adding new stuff to the repertoire just the same.

In addition to the magic stuff, I always need to work on new messages/bible study material. Last Sunday evening, Pastor Terry asked if I could teach his Wed. night bible study. Teaching bible study or filling the pulpit is always too good of an opportunity to pass up. There are a couple of downsides, though. One is that I don't have a file full of material to draw on for a short notice opportunity. The other is that with personalities in the church like Ed Burris, Joseph Ransom, and Jim Wells--all with Thd.'s/Phd.'s (Dr. Ransom with three), I feel a little inadequate at times. It is undoubtably quite humbling and I certainly have to rely on encouragement and empowerment from the Holy Spirit.

I have also set aside a couple of books that I am in the middle of to re-read a book by Lee Strobel. The book is A Case for Faith. Several recent encounters have prompted me to re-read this book. I'll not go into those incidents but will say that this is a great read for any believer that has ever had a struggle with believing in God or questions about a loving God sending people to hell, allowing good people to suffer, condoning the violence in the Old Testament or how can God and science co-exist? It is also a great book for non-believers that are willing to look at some valid debate about our faith. Lee Strobel's first book, A Case For Christ, was written as Strobel (then an atheist) began to examine the claims of Christianity. Strobel holds a Masters of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri and is former Legal Editor of the Chicago Tribune. Both books use the skills of an investigative journalist to uncover the evidence, the knowledge of a lawyer to examine and present the evidence, and the patience of a friend to allow the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. I feel so strongly about the materials presented in these books that I would gladly purchase and send one or both to anyone that would agree to read them with an open mind. It's my gift to you. Just click on comment and ask for them along with your mailing address. Your request will remain anonymous.

For all of us that claim to be followers of Jesus, there is much work to be done. My sincerest apologies to my Lord for my own inactivity.

John