Ministry Tools

Did you hear about the earthquake on the east coast? 

Have you noticed it's been raining way more than typical for this time of year? 

Have you heard what's happening in Texas? 

Who's your favorite NFL/MLB team? 

Although there is nothing wrong with asking these questions in everyday conversations, have you ever wondered how to get into a deeper, more meaningful conversation with your neighbor, friend, peer or co-worker? Well here is an online video tool to help:

 
crupressgreen.com

.... offers evangelism tools and training for engaging people in meaningful conversations.

Colossians 4:5,6 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

What is CoJourners?
Click here to see a video about an evangelism tool called "CoJourners" which helps you enter into spiritual conversations with friends, family & peers who may not yet know Jesus.

1. Learn how to be a brighter light to those around you by becoming the "explorer", the "guide", the "builder", and the "mentor". 
2. Be aware of barriers that may inhibit this person in your life from hearing about Jesus.
3. Understand how to engage in conversation with each individual person and where that person is.
4. Do it.

There are 5 videos in this series. 

Attached is just the first one, but feel free to look through the website for the rest! Enjoy!

He Never Lets Go!

How was I doing?
The David Crowder Band sings two songs that I think capture my thoughts of last semester well.

If you know me, you know my life = drama. If you have no time to watch a novela, that's okay...just be my friend and that will be enough drama simply in our conversation alone. I could give you story upon story from the struggle of epilepsy, to peculiar deaths in the family, ministry issues, bad break-ups and so on. But hey, don't play the violin on me just yet...hear me out.

I can often relate to the Psalmists. David especially called out for salvation from the attacks of his enemies SO often! "The troubles of my heart are enlarged" he cries in Psalm 25. Yet it's not what the psalmists go through as much as it is how they handle those issues. "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (vs.21).


The David Crowder Band sings:

When clouds veil sun, And disaster comes...Oh, my soul. When waters rise, And hope takes flight...Oh, my soul 

Ever faithful, Ever true, You I know, You never let go

Oh, my soul overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul fills with hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, ....In joy and pain; In sun and rain, You’re the same. Oh, You never let go!

So often, I focus on the troubles that take up too much room in my heart (Psalm 25:17). I want others to take notice & even for God to acknowledge how troubled my life is (Psalm 25: 19)! "Oh, my soul!"- Instead of shouting this as though I am rejoicing in these afflictions because they are eclipsed by God's glory (another David Crowder song), I forget how relentless the mercy of a loving Father is and shout them in agony.

I forget that in "sun and rain" He never lets go! It's so easy to sit in my mud puddle (reference to Rick James book "A Million Ways to Die"), sad and bitter, desiring attention and comfort from all those around me (okay, now you can play the violin). I act as though because of the "disasters" of my life, I'm drowning in sorrow as though "hope has taken flight" and yet Romans 8:38 & 39 reminds us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!

Sure, sometimes life sucks! And it's not easy!...but how often do I pray "Lord, keep my soul and deliver me: Let integrity and uprightness preserve me" (Psalm 25: 20, 21)? Sure, I pray for deliverance from trials, who wouldn't? But in this suffering, how do I persevere? With bitterness and contempt to those who've hurt me? With pity parties, trial tantrums and failure fiestas? OR do I focus on the love that is ever faithful, ever true, perfect and never lets go?

YouTube: Never Let Go - David Crowder Band