Let me start by saying this...There are absolute's! Most of us who are born again understand this fact! People will argue even in Christian circles what those absolutes are. Now to help me make my point I will name just a few.
1st-We are all sinners
2nd-We are in need of a Savior
3rd-Jesus is that Savior
Now there are other Theological important issues, such as the need to observe the Lord's Supper and Baptism. pre-destination and eternal seurity and I know dear brothers who differ on some of these issues.
However, the big three as I sometimes call them are the real issue at hand. Not what worship music the church has or the order of service or even men's bible study material. Our calling as Christians is to reach a dying world and to use our individual and corperate talents as a means to do so.
Sometimes that means change. We should embrace this as a church. Change is heathly and most of the time welcomed by those outside of the church walls. I am not saying we should change the message. I am saying that we need to make sure it is heard. That doesn't mean bright lights and smoke. That doesn't mean make your neighbor feel comfortable with their sin. It simply means understand the culture around you and don't be afraid of it!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, 2008
News from the ranch
We recently sent the boys home for a week to spend time with their families and also so that we could have some staff training. We do this four times a year as well as have the families come up twice to do what we call Family Resolves. It is a good opportunity to see just how much the boys as well as their parents have really changed. Because whether mom and dad want to admit it or not, they made some poor choices in raising their son to get to the point of sending him to the ranch in the first place.
I would ask for you to pray for the safe return of some of the boys, they are all to return tomorrow (Sunday the 6th). Some have threatened to run away tonight from their homes instead of return to the ranch. Some parents are fearful and some are not strong enough to stand up to this kind of threat from their son, so pray for the parents as well.
Now to talk about the staff retreat. I could really use your prayer supprt. It has become increasingly aware to me that some of the philosophy and theology of the leadership I do not agree with. I won't go into great detail, but I will say that at times I have become very frustrated. Please pray for the leadership of the ranch their job is not easy, but we are in need of real leaders not just pleasers. (I will assume you all no what I mean by that).
At times it feels like we want the program to change the boy and if that doesn't work we just need to be harsher on them. More rules=change at times could be our montra. But scripture gives serveral warnings especially in Proverbs against this type of thinking. Thus, my frustrations. Please pray that I would be submissive to my God given authority without mistreating those who God has entrusted into my care. Just because they are "ranch boys" doesn't give anyone the right to look down upon them. I try very much to treat these boys like I would see myself treating my boys when they become teenagers. I don't know if everyone here does. And that is a concern of mine.
Also, leadership has shown a do as I say not as I do approach to leading. It is very hard to follow that type of leadership as I am sure you all know from experience. Pray that our leadership would "pull the plank out of their eye, before pointing out the speck in others." As well as saying one thing and then doing another themselves. Maybe, it is because they thought of something better. But, doesn't scripture tell us to "let your yes be yes and no be no?" Communication could go a long way in mending so of these frustrations. If you say something, I expect you to do it. (And scripture tells me I should be abel to expect you to do it) If you change your mind and want to do something else, at least show me a little bit of value and tell me.
I know it sounds like I am being too negative and maybe I am. But I have others who work daily with me who sare all of these concerns. If we are being too negative however I pray that God would show that to me and convict me to repentance. In my heart I want very much to be able to support and follow my leaders, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do. That makes me think of Daniel who refused to sin or cause others too, but obeyed his sinful leaders. I am not saying our leaders are out right sinning please don't misunderstand the comparison. It was more a truth about how I should act. (Don't you hate it sometimes when God convicts you)
I do love being here. Ministering to these young men is my calling. I think at times I am being hindered, not purposly, but hindered none-the-less and that is what makes my heart ache.
If you read this and have words of encouragement or advice please respond to this post.
I would ask for you to pray for the safe return of some of the boys, they are all to return tomorrow (Sunday the 6th). Some have threatened to run away tonight from their homes instead of return to the ranch. Some parents are fearful and some are not strong enough to stand up to this kind of threat from their son, so pray for the parents as well.
Now to talk about the staff retreat. I could really use your prayer supprt. It has become increasingly aware to me that some of the philosophy and theology of the leadership I do not agree with. I won't go into great detail, but I will say that at times I have become very frustrated. Please pray for the leadership of the ranch their job is not easy, but we are in need of real leaders not just pleasers. (I will assume you all no what I mean by that).
At times it feels like we want the program to change the boy and if that doesn't work we just need to be harsher on them. More rules=change at times could be our montra. But scripture gives serveral warnings especially in Proverbs against this type of thinking. Thus, my frustrations. Please pray that I would be submissive to my God given authority without mistreating those who God has entrusted into my care. Just because they are "ranch boys" doesn't give anyone the right to look down upon them. I try very much to treat these boys like I would see myself treating my boys when they become teenagers. I don't know if everyone here does. And that is a concern of mine.
Also, leadership has shown a do as I say not as I do approach to leading. It is very hard to follow that type of leadership as I am sure you all know from experience. Pray that our leadership would "pull the plank out of their eye, before pointing out the speck in others." As well as saying one thing and then doing another themselves. Maybe, it is because they thought of something better. But, doesn't scripture tell us to "let your yes be yes and no be no?" Communication could go a long way in mending so of these frustrations. If you say something, I expect you to do it. (And scripture tells me I should be abel to expect you to do it) If you change your mind and want to do something else, at least show me a little bit of value and tell me.
I know it sounds like I am being too negative and maybe I am. But I have others who work daily with me who sare all of these concerns. If we are being too negative however I pray that God would show that to me and convict me to repentance. In my heart I want very much to be able to support and follow my leaders, it is becoming increasingly difficult to do. That makes me think of Daniel who refused to sin or cause others too, but obeyed his sinful leaders. I am not saying our leaders are out right sinning please don't misunderstand the comparison. It was more a truth about how I should act. (Don't you hate it sometimes when God convicts you)
I do love being here. Ministering to these young men is my calling. I think at times I am being hindered, not purposly, but hindered none-the-less and that is what makes my heart ache.
If you read this and have words of encouragement or advice please respond to this post.
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