Change your life in just 40 days is a downloadable program free from American Bibile Society and can be downloaded to an mp3 player.

“Embark on a new adventure…
Bathe in God’s love…
Discover new hope…live daring faith…
Dance wildly…
Experience the supernatural…
Love the lost…”

You can see excerpts from the book and read a guide at thexjourney.com

I am all about digging for resources and binging on information. It’s part of how God made me (that makes me a “maven” according to Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point).

A while back I took Gallup’s Strengthfinder 2.0 (one of the best personal assessment tools I’ve found) and it showed me that I basically have two strengths: Gathering and disseminating large amounts of information, and liking people.

That’s it, that’s all I’ve got, but thankfully they work well with being a pastor. Just don’t ask me to actually get anything done (I would be in so much trouble without my lead deacon).

From time to time I will contribute a post to this blog with some resource I’ve found useful as a pastor, in hopes that they are useful to you as well.

Speaking of assessments, one of the ways my wife and I celebrated our 10^th anniversary was by completing Life Innovations “Enrich” inventory. This tool allowed us asses our strengths and weaknesses and brought up some issues we didn’t even know were there. This is also the best premarital counseling resource I have found. If you are not using it, I really encourage you to look into it.

Another recent find is Ask Moses, where you can ask a real live rabbi Biblical questions (obviously OT only). Here is the answer to a question that I recently asked. It really gave me a new perspective.

If G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart why was he punished?

The hardening of the heart was in itself part of the punishment. He was wicked to the degree that he brought upon himself this harsh punishment.

Other Biblical commentators explain that G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he should be able to maintain his free-choice. In other words, even if Pharaoh did not want to release the Jews from bondage, the Plagues would be enough to cause him to allow the Jews to go–despite his desire to further enslave them.

G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart, causing that the plagues should not affect his decision regarding the Jews. Thus Pharaoh was “free” to do as he wished–and as it turned out, his wish was to retain the Jews as slaves.

Need help getting organized and staying on task? I sure do. Here is a great blog to subscribe to: Lifehack. FYI: This is not a Christian site, so don’t get mad at me if you find some “inappropriate content.”

Finally, here are two fun ones: LarkNews.com (an online Christian satire magazine – my favorite headline this month: “Christians planning to be offended by next Eminem album”) and Stuff Christians Like (a smart Christian with a slightly irreverent, yet insightful blog).

Hope you enjoy this stuff!

Josh Kelley

The Gathering Christian Church

http://www.tgcconline.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=777588613

There are many resources available that combine lessons with arts and crafts and music for worship.  One such item is Gospel Light’s  “Agents in Action”.

There are many resources available in an easy to use format available in software format.  This doesn’t mean that we are trying to look for an easy way to quickly search through references.  What these resources enable a person to do is to make the most of their time in preparation, by bringing many background resources to give a better understanding of the context of the messages that are being prepared.

Quick Verse Bible Suite 2008

One way to bring encouragement and individuality to the service is through media.  During the wedding ceremony where there is a private communion time or signing of the registry for the couple, the pastor could suggest a nice powerpoint slide presentation for the witnesses to view that brings them into the lives of the couple.   The presentation could be a celebration of their times spent together and show the couple as they mature through their lives.  Likewise, for a funeral, a presentation of pictures with songs playing in the background can allow the guests to celebrate the life that was lived before them.  The pictures allow those in attendance at the funeral to witness the life of a loved one through fond memories seen in images that will aid in them in the grieving process.

A contemporary Handbook for Weddings and Funerals by Aubrey Malphurs and Keith Willhite is a wonderful resource available to young and old.  In this handbook the authors have compiled many ideas to aid both new and experienced pastors alike.  New ministers will be able to glean the advice of experienced ministers around these ceremonies, while veteran pastors can benefit from fresh ideas taht add meaning to services that they have performed many times.  This handbook covers many of the hardest situations to handle from the death of a child to performing second marriages.

Weddings and Funerals offer opportunities to share the gospel through encouragement and giving direction to individuals during times when they are more receptive.  By using all mediums available as resources the minister can find new ways to deliver the wonderful message of salvation, mercy and grace that is freely given to all who seek Jesus.