Any blog readers out there?  When I’ve had time, I’ve enjoyed reading several blogs from pastors, worship leaders and thought leaders. My current 2 favorites are:

Mark Driscoll - The Resurgence - for its practical theology & ecclesiology

Bob Kauflin - Worship Matters - for its worship theology and practical training

I usually tend to be more drawn to specific articles of interest, and vlogs (video blogs), especially when it comes to teaching and training.

How about you?  Your top two.

There are a number of you who are carrying God’s love to the fatherless. Some have adopted, some serve as foster parents, some support children through Compassion International or another advocate agency, and  others give of themselves, their time, their love or their money in a host of other ways.

And this group is doing an important work in God’s eyes. James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” And Isaiah 1:17 plainly says, “Defend the cause of the fatherless…”

So take a minute and let us know how you (or someone you know) is carrying out this ministry that is so dear to God’s heart.

While on vacation, Kelly and I joked about the fact that we could watch the news on TV if we wanted to (we don’t have television now, and even when we did, somehow, watching the news with the kids around didn’t seem like a fun idea).  So that got me thinking:  how do people get their news nowadays?  Reading the paper?  Watching it on TV?  Online? Or do people even care about the news anymore?

Me?  I read it online, usually on my phone.  How about you?

A little experiment here: Does anyone out there know from Scripture what God’s perspective on orphans is?  If that’s a no-brainer for you, then how can Christians respond biblically to the plight of the orphan?

Hmm…?

There’s been no shortage of people I love going through some pretty bad things in their lives recently. Got any thoughts on the classic question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  I’d love to hear.

OK, I have many, but ONE of my Christmas wishes is that those without a Dad this Christmas will have a precious sense of their heavenly Father’s nearness and love for them.  What’s your Christmas wish this year?

That’s it for today…  I would love to know:  If you could ask God 1 question, what would it be?

Recently Pastor Terry mentioned that the elders have been taking a deeper look at the meaning of communion. We’re also beginning to wonder why attendance at communion services is about 1/3 the attendance on Sunday mornings. The answers may be simply logistical (we only offer 1 communion service, but 3 Sunday morning services). Or there may be deeper reasons for us to discover.

Do you attend DEC’s communion services?  Why or why not?

In light of this weekend’s message by Derek Williams of Forgotten Stories, it seems timely to ask, “Where is God calling you to serve?”

But what I mean is this:  If you knew you couldn’t fail, and you had more faith than fear, where would you say God is calling you to use your gifts to serve Him?

Somewhere in the community? On the job? Make a movie? With a neighbor? Overseas? In the worship ministry?    Where is it?

I can’t keep up.  I admit it.  I’ve been feeling like I can either figure out what needs to be done, schedule it, or do it, but not all three.  All (or almost all) good stuff that “needs” to be done.  And it’s affecting me. I can see it. I can feel it.

So tell me, how do you know when you’re too busy?