They are building.  Work continues on the Chinese Church.  Workers are getting ready to pour the foundation and next week a group of volunteer builders will be here to build the walls and roof.  This has been a vision for Pastor Fish and Jane for many years.  It won't be long before the Brushy Creek area off 620 will hear the sounds of worship.  If you would like to see the activity go out FM 620 toward Round Rock.  Turn left on Great Oaks and go to Hillside Street.  Turn right and look for the construction on your left.  (Just watch out for vehicles!)

When you go, please pray for the safety of the workers.  Listen for opportunities to be involved with "hands-on" as the building takes form.

Anderson Mill is preparing for our 8-week study on Life's Healing Choices. This is one of Saddleback Community Church's campaigns designed to help people have freedom from their hurts, hang-ups and habits.  I have the "3 H's" and I am in need of recovery. The reality of my 3 H's is that I make choices to make room for these in my life. I'm not perfect and as I learned in the first session of the preview,  I have to quit playing God.

Talk about reality.  I am confronted by several realities related to the 3 H's:

• I can no longer pretend that I can control things, especially people.
• I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.
• I have to get freedom for my pain
• .I can't change the past. 

When I returned from Texas A & M University, my father asked me to come help him at work for about 6 months. His office manager had some health issues and he needed time to find another one. I knew the industry and said OK. Six months turned in to one year and then 18 years. I thought that during that time I would just move back home and back into my room. It was as if I had only been gone for 4 years. My Dad said, "NO!" He and Mom had gotten used to the empty nest and I had to find my own place. They had prepared for me to leave home following high school graduation.

Someone said that humans are the only species that let their young return home. It is a landmark when our students prepare to graduate, leave home and start their own lives, following their own values. Whether it is public, private or home school, our students graduate and make this next landmark.

When our oldest graduated from homeschooling, we gathered all those important people in his life and had a celebration. We gave him a diploma, a class ring and he went to work. He stayed for a while until me found a place to live and has never looked back.

When our youngest graduated from homeschooling, we had his set of influential people over for a celebration. We gathered under the magnolia tree in our yard which bore yearly carvings of dates as the he climbed that tree and made his mark growing up. Then he was off to college.

Before they left, we spoke blessing into their lives. They had life skills, money sense, a love for God's Word and a strong support group.

Jan & I hoped we had given enough of the right stuff to each so they could be responsible on their own. Jan had poured scripture into their hearts and taught them where to find answers in God's Word. In preparing them to leave home, we took them with us rather than sending them alone on mission trips, retreats and special events. We wanted them to know we were their peer group.

Sure, they had friends, but our design was to have them trust in God who was with them at all times, especially when they left home.

Jeremiah 29:11 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

No one raises perfect children (because we are not perfect parents). That's why we pray for them at all times. That never stops no matter where they are or how old they get.

Transition. It is a time when one goes from:

• A lover of self to a lover of God.
• Doing childish things to doing mature things.
• Being served to serving.

This is a time discovering your biblical role, whether as a man or a woman. It is a time of knowing who we are in Christ. For a young man, it is learning why you made a covenant with your eyes. For a young lady, it is keeping your heart with all vigilance. (Prov. 4:23) For a parent, it is a time to transfer to a new role, one of giving godly advice and allowing God to guide our son's and daughter's hearts. This is a time for parents to discover that they have partners in ministry in their sons and daughters. Make this is a season of celebration with friends and family.

There will be more on this when a parent shares his experience in celebrating this time of transition for his sons.

How can we help our students win the purity battle?  One skirmish at a time.  Often I lose the war in an area of my life because I try to take back what was lost in just one battle.  We regain the ground  the same way we gave it up.  One step at a time.   I can't get to a place tomorrow if I don't know where I am today.  What areas have I given up in the area of purity?  Often I can't begin to name all the places I left my character.  A little here and a little there.  This endeavor, that hobby, over there.  Only God knows  and so I begin by asking Him to find all the pieces to purity in the life of my student.  (Good practice for this is asking God to re-unite all the pieces of my heart in the area of purity.  He'll do it.)

Friends.  What friendships do I need to encourage in the life of my student?  Remember, our goal is purity. If our student doesn't have any good friends, that's where I start.  Be creative in the way you inquire about friends. Get involved at whatever level you are allowed and work from there.  If you vote your stock too soon by saying "because I'm your father", we'll suffer a set back.  Ask questions.  Don't preach sermons.

Dating and courtship. One comment:  Treat your spouse in a way your student will want to treat their opposite sex friends.  For the student, purity is modeled in the life of the parent.

Boundaries. Yes.  And lots of them.  Let students watch you build the fences.  Talk to them so they know why we observe limitations.  Many of our boundaries deal with issue of time.  "When can I...?"  Even as students grow up, talk about how important right timing is in every process of life 

Celebrate  Find one thing to remind students about purity.  Every time they see that special object, hear a certain code word, or recall a person, they associate this image with a vow to purity.  For some, it may be a ring or an annual event or a personal gift.  I'll never forget a conversation with my father in the area of purity and faithfulness.  When I wondered one time how he was able to remain faithful to my Mom. he responded, "Wasn't that what I was supposed to do?"  Someone modeled purity for him and so I was able to model purity for my sons.  Can it be this simple?  Yes!  Note: I didn't say is was easy.

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.

This is a tough one. Not because we can't experience purity in our life, but because the odds are against us. Barna & Gallup polls reveal that 9 out of 10 Christians do not live the Christ life they confess. That is pressure we don't need. The world values alone are hard combatants, but "we are our own worst enemy" when it comes to purity. Usually we associate purity with "things we do" but the headwaters of purity lie in the "things we are."

Students are looking in a lot of places for their identity and values. Often they leave home with one set of values (Dan & Mom's), usually good ones, only to jettison them along the way as they develop their own "new" set of values. Every day our students wrestle with surroundings of inferiority, conformity, independence and for sure, questions about love. How can we be pure in a impure world?

One word: FRIENDS! Andy Stanley said, "Show me your friends and I will tell you your future." What kind of friends do my son or daughter have? Do they support the pure values of God's Word? This not only refers to real friends, but made up friends also. TV, video and movie friends. Do you find it alarming that we will invite some people into our living rooms through a TV program that we would never allow through our front door? What kind of friends have I exposed my self and my family to?

Now that the TV is off, how can I help my student develop healthy friendships? Or, how can I help my child loosen the grip of wrong friends?

 More in part 2.

    Ridgeway, Colorado

Three things help guide this stage in our student's life:

• Scripture
• Peer Groups
• Time

During this time, nothing lasts like scripture. The Bible is our best ally when it comes to preparation. There is more hope for understanding God's Word than there is understanding hormone changes, growth spurts, and increased appetites. A student's desire to belong gels during this time and the budget takes a huge hit if students wake up and decide they want to try and keep up with the latest fashion. During this time, be sure your student knows the value of God's Word, especially memorizing and owning it. If they know what God wants them to do, they'll think twice before doing what the wrong crowd is doing.

Peer groups are very influential. Try this: Change their peer group. Parents would do better if students looked up to their parents rather that friends who stand and fall at the least wind. This comes when parents spend time with their students. Please, don't give me the come back "I spend quality time (vs. Quantity time) with them." Any time spent with students is quality time. Be different and spend lots of time with them. The wrong peer group will do this if you don't want to do it. If you don't know what your students are doing, you're not spending time with them. Learn their likes, hangouts, tastes, and favorite music, books and videos. Be courageous if some of their desires need stern course corrections.

The last thing concerns time. Take time to help them see their value and worth. Take time to show them what is really important in life. Be sure, though, that our actions as parents back up our words. This is the greatest thing we can offer at this stage of life: consistency. Allow them time to be independent. This is a time of "firsts" for our students. First love (or crush). First time on their own (trip to mall with friends). First test of values, morals and trusts. Help students interpret some of these changes even before they face them. Without judging people, take them to places to watch people and discuss actions, values and consequences. Perhaps select a place farther away from home so that the student can learn with a crowd they might not have contact with again. Help them to uncover the deceit in advertising, store front images and movies they might watch. There is no better use of time than these adolescent years.

Try the resource below for extend talks with your students on these issues:

"Preparing for Adolescence" (Dr. James Dobson) • 738304 • 8 CD Album (includes 6 CDs for teen/pre-teens, and 2 leadership CDs for parents)Dr. Dobson brings the conversational warmth straight to you and your adolescent. Among the many topics

Baptism is a beautiful picture of the inward commitment a person makes to follow Christ as Savior, but it is more. So often children will come and say, "I want to be baptized." What an opportunity that follows as parents can take them through the things they need to know and the actions they need to take. Sometimes they see someone baptized and want to do likewise, but they don't understand why a person is baptized.

I tell people to invite all their friends, family, unbelievers they know so everyone can see the commitment which has already been made to receive Jesus as Savior. Baptism is a celebration for everyone. It is the best opportunity a new believer has to tell a lot of people about their new life in Christ (Rom. 6:5)

The word baptize means "to dip". People who were baptized in the New Testament "came up out of the water" following their "dipping."

Acts 8:37-39 (New American Standard Bible)37And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]38And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.

According to the New Testament practice, baptism was by immersion or dipping and followed salvation.

Comments on Infant baptism: This isn't seen in the New Testament and was first mentioned in history 200 years after Christ Some practice this as as way of securing the infant's salvation until the child can be confirmed later as they have maturity in their understanding. Others practice infant baptism saying that a child is likely to become a believer as the parents demonstrate a Christ-likeness in the home. In either situation, a child has to make this decision concerning salvation for themselves Baptism is to be a decision of the new believer after they receive Christ as Savior and not prior to salvation and certainly not a decision someone else makes for the child.

I remember the day I accepted God's gift of salvation on April 17, 1967 and was baptized the following Sunday. I celebrate that day every year. Make salvation and baptism a time of celebration.

Landmark 2 Deals with Salvation and Baptism. Studies show that most people who receive Jesus as Savior do this between the ages of 6 & 12. The older a person gets the less likely they are to become a Christian. Perhaps your own experience reflects these findings. These are certainly God Moment years for our children, As Christian parents, we look forward to the days when our child becomes a Christian.

There are 3 things to concentrate on during this Landmark:

1. We need to teach them what they need to know
2. We need to be diligent (consistent & intentional) in teaching them what to do
3. We need to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit

John 3:16 covers the first two:

• God Loved
• God Gave
• We believe
• We receive

As you get closer to this milestone, you will discover more about these two in the Parent Summit that will be planned later in the year.

 What about the Holy Spirit in the part of salvation? God is always moving. As parents, our challenge is to pray (our greatest ally in Landmarks) and watch (sometimes the hardest thing to do.)

Our prayers are to be centered on God's activity in our child's life. Is my child asking questions about spiritual things? Do I see them mimicking my activities (reading the Bible, praying, singing, etc.)? Do I see pieces of their spiritual journey coming together? This may be the activity of God's Spirit. Take every occasion to talk to your children when you see them showing interest or asking questions about things they see in church and worship.

 Remember this: A child can believe what a child can believe. Their level of processing information is at a child's level of thinking. Don't expect them to think mature, adult thoughts about God. Frankly, their child-like thoughts are probably closer to God's ideals that our point of view.

Two cautions: Even though we may not see changes in our child's attitude toward spiritual things, they may still be picking up some ideas about God. Also, don't be tempted to force a decision on your child they are not ready to make. They may be able to give lots of examples of sin in general, but if they can't see their personal sin, the time may not be right. Let God continue to work.

More about celebration of Landmark 2 and baptism next time

Do you want your new born to learn how to clap? Start a celebration with clapping and praises like "Yeah for Sam" or "Yeah for Taylor," or whatever the name of your child. Soon they will join the celebration and add to the applause. This is Landmark 1, a Parent and Baby Celebration. It's a time for the parents to celebrate their responsibility as the primary Faith Trainers of their children. Periodically in the year, Anderson Mill will have a dedication service where parents affirm their roles in training and the church affirms its part in praying for the family. Milestone 1 is part of our worship on those special days.

Prior to the celebration comes one of the first equipping sessions with Pastor Rod as he guides the parents down the path to maturity. Yes, this is mandatory because the Bible is very serious about training this new generation according to Deut. 6:4-7. The vision begins to clarify and parents are challenged to provide spiritually for their child. New parents feel a sense of urgency when the first child comes. They want the very best they can supply.

The walk down the Legacy path takes on meaning. In this first Milestone, parents learn about Faith Talks, God Moments and Celebrating Landmarks. As God's special gifts to parents, children need parents, not friends or caretakers, to be the "hands on" people in their life. This is why children are dedicated to the Lord and By His Word during this special day.

You're on the way!

Last Sunday, Pastor Rod spoke about Legacy Landmarks, a strategy for raising up disciples in your home. Children today often see religion from a once a week, "in the box experience" point of view. Landmarks spreads a vision for the parents to be the primary faith trainers, the home being the primary place of training and the church being the equipper of the parents. All of this comes from Deut. 6:4-7. Even one-parent families are successful in making disciples at home as they partner with the church, mentors and support groups.  

Every step is important and provides order to the Great Commission in Matt: 28:18-20. No longer can families out source their responsibilities to others or even to the church when it comes to raising up the next godly generation. Parents shouldn't allow their irresponsibility to become another's responsibility. Examine the milestones in the next few blogs. Purpose to commit your ways to the Lord.  

Special thanks to Brian Haynes and Kingsland Baptist Church

It was February 14, 2005, when Anderson Mill opened our first call center for receiving national phone calls through the Billy Graham Telecast. That first night, with trembling and trust, 6 phones rang for almost 2 hours and we receiver 29 phone calls from all over the US and Canada. Over the next three nights, 3 dozen volunteers would be trained to pray, receive phone calls and help people make their next step toward God. Nine people received Christ as Savior the first night. What an exciting adventure!

Since then, our call center has answered 1,765 calls and helped share the gospel so that 657 people could pray to ask Christ to be their Savior. Our center helped train and start two other centers in Austin at sister churches during the past 5 years. Volunteers from area churches are partnered with Anderson Mill each time the call center opens.

Thank you, Anderson Mill, for making it possible to so many to be a part of this nation-wide network of call centers each month. Pray about joining this exciting ministry in 2010 and you too can answer the phones with us, “Hello. This is the Billy Graham Telephone Center. My name is Al. Did you call to receive Christ as your personal Savior?”

Contact Al Magness: amagness@ambcaustin.org 512-258-5843 X 104

"Not bad." I hear this sometimes when someone thinks they have completed a "pretty good" attempt at a task or project. Or it may sound like this, "Well, I'm not a bad person." Thank God that the gospel doesn't give us an opportunity to be graded on a curve, or it wouldn't be "good news" for eternity.

"9 out of 10 isn't bad." When we share the good news with other people, the gospel offers hope not odds. It is 100% sure that with Jesus as Savior, a person will go to heaven. Period. That's the best news we can share with people.

100% of the time. 100% of the people who accept Jesus as Savior go to heaven. How would you like to live a life that has based it's future hope on , "Well, I hope I go to heaven"?We can know with certainty, today, right NOW!

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Our ABF lesson recently was about success. How we define success often determines the path we take in business, relationships, finances, and spiritual things. Jesus, for me, defines success in Mark 10:45 (which happens to be my life verse). Jesus' disciples were growing indifferent, if not upset at Jesus' constant talk about His coming death. Jesus is headed for Jerusalem in Mark 10 and He begins to tell His disciples how to be successful. It wasn't by giving, being better parents, staying late at work, having a good education, or taking time off for important times, as important as these may be. He simply told then TO SERVE. How could they have missed the greatest point in being a success.

Jan & I were coming home last week after grocery shopping and it was getting dark. We noticed a man at the end of our sidewalk. I parked in the garage and went to the rear of the car and began asking what he needed. He was "selling magazine subscriptions" in an effort to turn his life around. After a few moments of listening, I dismissed him and started into the garage. The man (who said his name was "Julius Caesar") asked one final question, "Do you believe in second chances?". Well, I did just then as I asked my Heavenly Father what I was to say next. Mr. Caesar asked if I could give him some advice on how to be successful.

Mark 10:45 came to mind as I told him to "learn to serve other people." He wanted to know where I had learned this and I told how it was from the Bible. I had a second chance to tell him more about Jesus. Often we can serve people the best by telling them about Jesus. One person said that there are more people waiting to hear about Jesus than there are people willing to tell others about Jesus.

Take a moment and discover "How to Be Successful" and read Mark 10:45. Someone will be glad you did.

Schedule Input

We've been talking about being GIVERS and the challenge of getting our students to church (or, really, getting ourselves to church.) After church, spend a couple of minutes talking about the day. Who did we greet? Who did we help? Who were new friends we met? Remember what is said and use these things to quiz your students about the Sunday events during the week. The time to prepare for next Sunday is this Sunday,

Here's reality. You do everything you can to get your students to come to church with you. They come, seem to enjoy it, and when they get 18, graduate from high school, go off to college or begin a career, they quit coming to church. Wait! Wasn't there a guarantee? What went wrong? What did I forget? Probably not one thing. As a parent, we can only do what God directs us to do. He tells us to lead our family in the things of God. We are responsible to a point. Eventually, every tub sets on its own bottom. (My way of saying, "Eventually, everyone has to make a personal choice how they will serve and honor God.)

Do not give up. If you have no plan, offer no direction, I can give you ONE guarantee: our students will not have a standard by which they follow. Help them make the choice for God while you can..

Gather Friends

Intentional Talk

Verify Attitude

Enter Early on Sunday

Rehearse the Day

Schedule Input

Am I a GIVER or a Taker? Our students are watching.

Our convention president, Johnny Hunt, has asked members of Southern Baptist Church to spend, Sunday, January 31, 2010 as a "Day of Prayer." Quite often, the Bible tells of extended times of prayer by God's people and the subsequent activity of God that accompanied prayer. The greatest work of God through prayer is the changed heart. Join other Christians on January 31, 2010 in an extended time of prayer.

.NOTE: Lorne Sanny of the Navigaotors, wrote a fine article on this subject, How to Spend A Day in Prayer.

What a blessing I have received these past few months as a member of H.O.S.T. Team Ministry. Each Sunday I get to stand out in an AMBC parking lot and greet people, learn names of guests and get a sneak peak at all the cool stuff kids bring to church. Sunday I saw a Spiderman key chain a young friend had. There are other places throughout he church where others serve. Bottom line is that this is a ministry that makes a difference each Sunday. Our membership gets to see we care if they are there. Guests get to feel comfortable from the moment they step on the property. If you were inviting new people into you home for a meal, you would do everything possible making someone feel "at home." That's the H.O.S.T Team Ministry.  

Consider joining this team. Contact Aaron Franklin if you are ready to serve. afranklin@ambcaustin.org On Sunday, January 24, 2010, you can hear more about this ministry at a special FREE meal following the second worship service. Just ask any H.O.S.T. Team member for more information or directions to this meal.  

Thanks Aaron for putting this together.

  Get on track with this ministry.

(Durango-Silverton Railway, Colorado)

Our Lesson next week in the Explore the Bible (Lifeway Series) is about "How to Get Along With Others." How appropriate in a world where relationships are measured in days and weeks instead of lifetimes. Have you ever walked in a room and the conversation stop? Did you have the distinct feeling that the conversation was about you?

Mark 9:33-35 33 They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" 34But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

Jesus had the same experience. Instead of walking off or ignoring the conversation change, He gave them the heavenly solution to and earthly problem. If you want to be great, serve others. So often, hurts in relationships drive us to make a decision to leave the hurt, disappointment or confusion instead of working to serve the relationship. No one knows what all is lost when we close the door on a difficult relationship. My father taught me in business to, at all costs, salvage a good account. If you lose a good account due to a misunderstanding, disappointment or hurt, it takes at least 5 additional new accounts to replace the lost one (that's because only 1 in 5 new accounts will become a good account).

Use this new year as a year to work hard on relationships, especially those who have been placed on hold or perhaps terminated. Be the best servant your friend has ever had. But watch out! It may be contagious. Your friend may figure out what you're up to and try to out serve you.

Get along with others in 2010.

I read this statement in an article: "On Mission or Missional?" What? Am I waiting for an event or am I developing a lifestyle? That's it. Passive or active. Growing up as a Christian, I waited for the mission trips, the special offerings and the date on my calendar when I could be "on mission." I now realize that I am to be looking for opportunities to serve others. This is how it may look for a family who is missional.

* For your child- Tell your child, "On the way home from school, try to pick up 10 pieces of trash." I saw this in the life of a friend, Ruth Warner. As she walked through our neighborhood, she picked up trash as she walked. 90+ years old and she's missional.

* For your teen- Challenge your teen to offer to help a neighbor, to clean a fence marred by graffiti or to volunteer at a local children's sports event.

*For Adults- Consider being a block parent. Intentionally stand outside when school children are coming home from school. Look for how you might help the latch-key children.

*For the Family- Find a neighborhood park near your home and spend some time pulling weeds, picking up trash. Perhaps you can find an elderly neighbor or single parent and offer to do some basic maintenance for them.

There are many variations of these suggestions. The idea is to be looking for opportunities. When you spot something promising, talk about it as a family before you begin. Make sure you get permission for those projects that are on private property.

I found this in a SAS Shoe Newsletter:

If prices keep going up, we'll no longer be able to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.

Gasoline now costs 29 cents a gallon.  I may be better off leaving the car in the garage.  Besides it won't be long before $2,000 will only buy a used one.

And I am afraid the Volkswagen is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.

The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I doubt seriously that they will ever catch on.

Have you heard?  They are making electric typewriters now.

If they raise the minimum wage to $1.00, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store and the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter.

Some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball.  It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.

I wonder if I'll see the day when Government takes half of our income in taxes.  Makes me wonder if we are electing the best people to Congress.

Rehearse The Day

Not many people can process big events or decisions in an instant. Students need reminders about church before Sunday arrives. To wake up the family on Sunday and announce, "Let's get ready for church," may be the only thought a student may have had about church, God or spiritual things all week long. Share things the family plans to do on Sunday starting a day or two before Sunday morning arrives. Getting the details about any sleepovers, visits or interruptions to the schedule out in the open on a Thursday or a Friday, gives Sunday an opportunity to be a day the family anticipates and even looks forward to.

Dad, consider starting a Family Time once a week that sets the family thinking about Sunday. Do everything you can to make Sunday worship and Bible study happen. It is amazing what small, temporal things can come up and "buy off" all our good intentions, planning and practices when Sunday rolls around. If parents PLAN for Sunday worship and Bible study, it will probably happen. If you have NO plan, anything will be the highest bidder for the most important day of the week. The goal here is thoroughness: knowing what factors will diminish my effectiveness for God if neglected.

Enter Early on Sunday-

This is a challenge, especially if there are younger children in the family which may require more hands on preparation for church. This, however, can be an unexpected blessing. You now get the opportunity to greet people, rather than being greeted. Our church has a great HOST Ministry which offers so many possibilities for families and their students.

I find it useful to use some extra minutes preparing for Bible study or worship. Why rush into the most important one or two hours each week? If there are few people in your student's assembly room, take time to go with them and help them discover a place to plug in. Volunteer to bring donuts, straighten the room, or help with any last minute preparations Mark or others may need. This is a great time to build relationships with those who your students interact with or who guide them through the Bible and into life applications.

Initiative. This takes initiative. Initiative is looking for ways to serve, especially in areas others may overlook. Usually families don't stick because they aren't involved. Students especially need significance. We all need something to look forward to. Enter early on Sunday. Try it!

 If you are interested in the HOST Ministry, see Aaron Franklin.

Verify Attitude

"What does Jesus expect me to do?" Isn't that the real question we must ask ourselves and our students? Parents can't be at two places at the same time, but God can. Somehow we must help our children make the jump from what we want and expect them to do to "What does the Lord expect me to do?" This takes consistent reminders that God is at work in our family and our individual lives. It does matter what others expect me to do, but it matters even more what the Lord wants.

For parents, this means we pray about stuff- all the stuff, all the time! Our students must see that we take it all to God. This makes it simpler to give God the credit rather than taking the credit for what happens in my life.

Perhaps you can begin to see where this settles out. There are two types of people: givers and takers. If we can give God the credit, our children will begin to hear, see and follow the example of a life surrendered to God.

Gather Friends.

Intentional Talk.

Verify Attitude.

Shouldn't we be givers?

Intentional mentoring.

This one is a challenge. I can't expect my child to go any farther than I have lead them. Granted, there may come a time when their heart for God and worship exceeds ours, but until that happens parents must do things deliberately, thoughtfully and craftily. Our goal is to guide their souls without breaking their spirit. Ask yourself: "Am I guilty of the same offense I am trying to build in my children?" Or, "Am I persistent in my worship and Bible study attendance, no matter what?"

John 1:46 (HCSB)46 "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Nathanael asked him. "Come and see," Philip answered.

Come and see. Not Go and see. Each child needs a persistent guide if they are to ever discover the usefulness of regular worship and Bible study.This is not a self-guided tour. So, how's our habit of worship and study going? Barna research reveals that at the age of 18, 78% of students abandon their faith upbringing. To me that says there may be a 78% inconsistency issue in our homes. Not always, but something is at work.

Take time to talk about worship, Bible study and ministry throughout the week. We shouldn't expect to "spring" church on our students on Saturday night or Sunday and expect to gather a crowd. Do a little each day of the week. Water your garden with a garden hose , not a fire hose!

I see this happen too often. A child doesn’t want to go to church or Bible study, or they don’t think they fit in the group designed for them or there isn’t a group for them. What can parents do? There’s got to be an answer. The answer isn’t to drag them to church. They are usually too big or old for this (and they are probably bigger than us, anyway.) Parents, we’re not off the hook on this one. In fact, we are the key to our children coming to church and discovering that it is important and fulfilling, (OK. It’s fun!)

Gather Friends

One reason children resist coming (oops. I believe we started using the work “going”) is that they “won’t know anybody.” NOTE: Going implies “You need to GO to church.” Coming says, “We’ll pave the way by being a good example.” While parents can’t guarantee who will be there that their child knows, we can do a couple of things.· Invite one of their friends to come with your family one Sunday. This will require a little advanced effort. Call the friend’s parents and ask permission, preferably earlier in the week. Waiting to the last minute only adds to the challenge. If a sleepover happens on Saturday, make coming to church a requirement (for the student and their friend) for the sleepover. Not every sleepover needs church attendance as a requirement, but we are looking for something that gets the family to church. This week a sleepover, and next week something else. If your child sleeps over at another home, make sure they know the family plans to pick them up, and perhaps the friend, before church. The goal is consistency.·

Call other parents in the student group and see if their student is going. Networking works for the parents just like it works for the students. The goals are only different in the beginning. Other parents will appreciate knowing that they are not alone in the challenge of getting children to come to church.

More in the next part.

“If I had more money, then I could give.”

America’s biggest givers are the lowest income earners. Those who earn less than $10,000 give 2.3% of their income. Those who earn $70,000 or more only give 1.2%. (Source: Passing the Plate. By Christian Smith, Michael Emerson and Patrician Snell)

“I have so many bills and so little money.”

Pick a starting point and move toward giving a tithe. Many don’t do anything or give God only “a tip.” Ask yourself, “Would God lead me to make this purchase (have this service or have this perk), if it meant decreasing my giving to Him?” Giving has little to do with prosperity. When Americans earned less following the Great Depression, they gave more. When income went up, they began to give less of it away.

 “I live on a fixed income.”

No one lives on a fixed income. We can make money by decreasing expenses, skipping an activity, trip or “night out friends.” Look for ways to surprise your self in this area of giving.

My greatest joy has been to watch God work in my life through the area of giving. Each year, actually each calendar quarter, Jan & I look for ways to give more. God never fails.

The call continued to Austin, Texas in the spring of 2001.  I received an unexpected call from a friend in a Houston church who asked, "Would you be interested in making a move to Austin?"  Jan & I had never moved.  That would certainly be an adventure.  Shortly, I received a call from Pastor Rod Minor who wanted to meet and talk about the work at Anderson Mill Baptist Church.  I was very excited about a fresh opportunity to serve.  The call was at work again.

(Yes, there are lots of details that get us to this point, but this is a blog, not a book!)

What does Jesus' call mean to me today?  In a word- relationships. What wonderful relationships we have in Austin.  Austin continues to be a great place to give your best.  My prayer is that each of us would invest in people whatever is necessary to make disciples that honor Christ.  In our lesson this week in Mark 2, Jesus issues the call to follow Him, serve others, and tell others how to discover and accept the call.

It was in the summer of 1994 that I began to sense God's call on my life to give Him all.  I had given Him, I thought,  my best, but I discovered that giving my all IS the Best.  I began to see God close the chapter in my life that had been a great chapter for 18 years.  Jan & I were blessed by a family business in the petroleum distribution arena.  Time for a change- a new adventure.  God had me serving in churches for years in every capacity imaginable.  So why change?  The Call!  God had fresh ideas for me.  Ideas He had set in motion while I was a student at Texas A & M.  It was there that I learned to love the Lord with all my heart.  In general, the Lord had be in an intense learning environment of work, the Bible, and ministry.  It was during this time I received the best Biblical training imaginable- one-on-one.  God placed me in the path of Arthur "Prof" Smith.  For the next 22 years I learned about life from God's perspective as Prof taught me to love God and serve people.  

The call to a paid position with a church in 1994 was a new idea for Jan & me in, but God was at work.  The Call was to leave the corporate world and serve Him in a new place with a new income and new relationships.  After a series of events and lots of prayer, Jan & I accepted the call to enter the adventure of a church staff family for the next 6 1/2 years in Santa Fe, Texas.

For me, Jesus' call meant change. 

As a follow up to the last posting, I would like to ask these questions: “What’s the right (optimum) size church for me?”, “What’s the right size ABF class for me?”, or “What is the right size small group for me?” Often things fit because they are the right size for us. Things feel good, comfortable and we just fit well. I find myself asking some other questions about these same subjects: “Has my class size changed since this time last year?” or “Has my church sized changed since last year?” or “Has my small group size changes since this time last year?” Really, the question should be, “Have I become comfortable with the size or my class, group or church?”T

houghts like these are only good for me and my situation, but they are deadly for the next generation or even those who will come next year. My goal for 2010 is to help create an environment that will impact my community. If you are interested in seeing our church go forward in 2010, will you join together and create an environment for motion, growing and maturity? I’m making necessary adjustments to my comfort zone that will include more people, more touch points, and, more relationships. I’m praying that people will come to our church, classes and groups because they were invited by us and not because they drove by and saw the church.

I have heard this from many who have moved from larger, sometimes, “mega” church locations. “Looking for a smaller church” may not be true. What most mean when they say this, “I’m looking for relationship.” As leaders in ABF, ministry or administration, we must constantly be looking for sticking points- places that people pause at and begin to build relationships. Some come for programs. Some come for productions. Some come for convenience. All, however, stay because of relationships. There are challenges to every attender, member and guest of Anderson Mill Baptist Church: to find friends, deepen relationships and invite others to join your sphere of relationships.

One danger needs to be avoided, whether the church is large or small. Look around the church. Do you know everybody, or at least most people? If you do, perhaps we’ve overlooked the Great Commission. In the coming year, purpose to invite new people to join you for worship and Bible study each week. Ask them to consider Jesus as their Savior. My prayer is for our ABF classes to be filled with more unfamiliar faces than members. To have more new faces than comfortable faces.

You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2

In a recent ABF lesson from Psalm 119, we were challenged to read the Bible more, read it intentionally and if necessary use a plan. But read the Bible. I am challenging each of you to join Jan & me in reading the Bible through in 2010. You 'll discover interesting facts such as these:

What kind of man was Boaz before he married?(Ans: Ruthless)

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?(Ans: Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.)

Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?(Ans: Pharaoh’s daughter. She went to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.)

We were challenged to begin this discipline several years ago while on vacation. Several saints in our path have read the Bible though dozens of times. Though just reading won’t bring a changed life for some, it will provide us the tools the Holy Spirit can use to challenge us in every area of our life. Begin 2010 reading more than you have done in the past. If you need a plan, let me know. There are several which just might give the “push” you need.

3. Taste all along the way.

Just because you prepared a Sunday lesson numerous times, never assume you have arrived.  Seasoning really makes good dressing great dressing.  Ask yourself, "What;s happening in the lives of my class members that may cause me to add something different to this week's lesson?"  In order to answer this question I have to know where each class member is spiritually, emotionally and experientially.  Testimonies from class members add the freshness that a great lesson deserves.  Testimonies require early preparation.  If you know of an appropriate testimony from a class member, ask them ahead of time to share part of their story.  If we make each lesson distinctive, class members won't have problem remembering the point of the discussion.  When seasoning, use fresh ingredients.

2. Begin combining dry ingredients.

There are some essential, non-negotiable, parts to good corn bread dressing: hand rubbed sage, white cornbread, and fresh vegetables. When preparing for Sunday's Lesson there are three non- negotiables to preparing to teach God's Word: Pure Mind, Teachable Spirit, Servant's Heart. There are other factors such as study tools, visual aids, or object lessons which help color the final presentation, but the preparer must himself be prepared. Each lesson that is presented to your class takes on the flavor of the preparer's life. You wouldn't think of using a dirty bowl or a filth- crusted spoon to prepare the dressing, but often that is what happens if we ignore the personal preparation. Before combining ingredients, make sure the very purest mind. spirit and heart are first presented to God. Your lesson, whether basic or detailed, will be more palatable to the learner.

More in the next blog...

How do I involve more class members in the serving/learning experience?

For those who chose to sit silent, try handing out pre-made questions about the lessons. Pick questions that require a little more of an answer than "Yes. no, or I dunno." Give each member a sheet with ALL the numbered questions on them. At appropriate times, ask, "Who'll read question 1?" Give time for silence to chose a "volunteer." After they have read the question, give the reader the "right of first refusal" in commenting on the question. They don't have to respond, but offer them this option. After a few times of using this method, you might just demonstrate to some how simple it is to facilitate discussion. You may even discover an apprentice leader.

What about serving? How can I help more people to serve?

Ask this question: "Is there something I am doing that someone else could do?" What about reading announcements? Taking prayer and praise requests? Attendance? Follow-up calls on absentees or guests? Look for ways to share the load rather than hogging the road. Everything we do should be significant. If it isn't, why are we doing it? Give significance by sharing. Some people aren't leaders because they were never given the opportunity to lead.