tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43181717295051846202024-03-05T09:05:59.614-08:00Chester's ChatWelcome to my online page of ramblings. On this page you will find a variety of different opinions and posts, from a biblical perspective....my biblical perspective. I hope you enjoy, but more that that, I hope you are blessed and can bless others with these posts.Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-55162264591837678592018-12-24T04:25:00.000-08:002018-12-24T04:25:18.026-08:00Chappy - Chapter 4<div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ad-preview="message" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_m">
Chapter 4<br />
<br />
March 12th - 7:35am<br />
<br />
“Ok, Lori, one more time, please. Just to be sure that we have it
correctly,” said Detective Frank Williams. He was sitting in the living
room of Mayor Jacob Donovan with the Mayor seated in his recliner,
smoke rings circling above his head from the Sir Walter Raleigh pipe
tobacco he was smoking. Chief Martin sat on the couch to Donovan’s right
and Donovan’s daughter, Lori sat on the couch with her mother, Mindy.
Detective Williams sat in a chair directly in front of Lori and her
mother, the chair having been brought in from the dining room for this
occasion. Lori began speaking, looking down at the floor.<br />
<br />
“He and
I have been dating for a year now, behind his back,” she motioned to
her father who began puffing thicker clouds of smoke as she recalled the
story for the third time this morning.<br />
“We knew Donny would overreact,” her mother defended.<br />
<br />
Mayor Donovan’s face grew red, “Overreact?!” he shouted. “You’re doggone right, she’s seventeen years old!”<br />
<br />
Chief Martin leaned forward, “let her finish, Donny.”<br />
<br />
Mayor Donovan reluctantly leaned back in his chair, puffing on his pipe again, but didn’t respond.<br />
Detective Williams looked at Lori and beckoned her to continue.<br />
<br />
Lori rolled her eyes at her father before continuing, “anyway, we had been dating and, you know, we did what people do.”<br />
<br />
“Trashy people,” the Mayor said under his breath, but loud enough for everyone to hear it.<br />
“Donny!” exclaimed his wife.<br />
<br />
Donovan leaned forward and retorted, “she gets that lifestyle from your side of the family.”<br />
Tears welled up in MIndy’s eyes, “Donny, please! I can’t believe you…” but she didn’t finish her sentence.<br />
<br />
Donovan turned to Chief Martin and demanded, “can we wrap this up? You
guys don’t get paid to hear this story over and over do you? It’s about
time you leave and go arrest this jerk. And don’t give me any crap story
about this being legal, she’s seventeen!”<br />
<br />
Chief Martin calmly
responded, “Now Donny, I know you’re upset, but you and I both know we
don’t make up the laws, we enforce them. You said it yourself, she is
seventeen. In the state of Georgia she can legally sleep with whoever
she wants as long as they are over the age of sixteen themselves. So
there is no law broken here, because she says it was consensual.<br />
<br />
Lori looked at her mother, but didn’t speak. Mindy encouraged her daughter, “go ahead, tell ‘em.”<br />
The room grew quiet and everyone looked at Lori as she began to speak, looking down at the floor again.<br />
<br />
“Last night,” she began, “it wasn’t consensual. He raped me.”<br />
<br />
The mayor took his seat as she continued.<br />
<br />
“I mean, it started out consensual, but I wasn’t feeling like it. I
told him to stop and he got upset. He told me if I didn’t have sex then
we were over and I said that was fine if that’s how he wanted to be.
Then he pushed me down and forced me. The whole time he kept calling me
a stupid, immature high school kid. I didn’t yell because I was afraid
of what my father would say if he found out. He left at about five
o’clock and I woke mom up to tell her. I had to tell someone,” she was
crying at this point in her story. Mindy pulled her daughter close as
she sobbed in her arms.<br />
<br />
Donovan leaned forward, looked at Chief
Martin and said calmly, “I guess you boys have enough for an arrest now,
right? Go pick the punk up.”<br />
<br />
Detective Williams responded, “We have enough to go talk to him, certainly, but there is just one problem.”<br />
<br />
“Oh yeah,” demanded the mayor, “what’s that?”<br />
<br />
Williams sighed, “he’s in a coma.”</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-39834578822261462112018-12-24T04:23:00.002-08:002018-12-24T04:23:52.828-08:00Chappy - Chapter 3<div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ad-preview="message" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_r">
Chapter 3<br />
<br /> March 12th – 6:38am<br />
<br />
The hospital waiting room in the emergency department was abnormally
busy when Chappy arrived. She parked her Expedition in one of the few
parking spaces free and headed for the doors. All the way to the
hospital she wondered what the call was about. Usually when she would
receive a call, she would get a little information, but Sergeant Owens
didn’t seem very chatty on the phone. <br />
Perhaps it’s an officer, she thought.<br />
<br />
She became much more certain as she entered the emergency room waiting
area and saw the different officers, some in uniform, some not. Three of
the four dispatchers were there, the parole officer, records clerk, and
administrative assistant. Not only that, but a Trooper from the Georgia
State Patrol and a few Georgia Bureau of Investigation officers were in
attendance.<br />
<br />
This definitely involves an officer, she thought again and the evidence of those present confirmed it.<br /> Chief Martin walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. <br />
“Amy,” he said, “come with me.”<br />
<br />
He never calls me Amy, what could be going on, she wondered.<br />
<br />
As she followed Chief Martin through the waiting room she began to
notice that everyone was looking at her. Half-hearted smiles from one,
others looking down or away when she passed.<br />
They stopped at doorway being held open by a short, frumpy woman in her mid-forties.<br />
“Let’s talk in here,” Chief Martin said as he motioned her inside.<br />
<br />
Amy knew something really bad must have happened and she knew this room
all too well. This was the room where she met with many families when
giving them bad news, but as to why she was in there now, she had no
idea.<br />
<br />
“Sit down, please,” Chief Martin said as he pulled out a
stool and took a seat himself. The nurse closed the door and the two
ladies joined the chief in taking their seats. The nurse was not just an
ordinary nurse. She was Nurse Cindy Sanders, Chief of Nursing at
Mochaton Memorial Hospital. Cindy took Chappy’s hand as the Chief began
to speak.<br />
<br />
“This isn’t easy, but I want you to listen carefully. Your son, Jimmy, was in a single car collision a little while ago.”<br />
<br />
Nurse Cindy squeezed Chappy’s hand as the reality began to set in.
The department staff present, Owens’ reluctance to give details on the
phone, Chief calling her Amy, it was all starting to make sense.<br />
<br />
Amy retained her composure and asked, “is he….dead?”<br />
<br />
“No,” answered Chief Martin, “but he is in ICU, critical condition and in a coma.”<br />
<br />
Amy put her hands over her face and exclaimed, “oh, thank God!”<br />
<br />
Looking up she asked, “when can I see him?”<br />
<br />
Nurse Cindy fielded this question, “when we are finished admitting him.
He hasn’t been here long, but as soon as we are finished, you can see
him. Mind you, he is unconscious, but you can see him all you want.”<br />
<br />
Amy nodded to them both, “thank you. Thank you both, very much.”<br />
<br />
As she was giving thanks, the door cracked open and a tall, <br /> lanky, uniformed officer poked his head in.<br />
<br />
“Chief,” he said politely, “we need you.”<br />
<br />
Visibly irritated, Chief Martin responded, “Hernandez, can’t you see I’m a little busy right now?”<br />
<br />
“Yes sir, and I am sorry, but we really need you. We have a rape call……at the Mayor’s residence.”<br />
“Go, I’m fine,” encouraged Chappy.<br />
<br />
Chief Martin nodded, stood up and exited the room.<br />
<br />
Nurse Cindy looked at Chappy and smiled, “stay here as long as you want. I’ll come get you when he’s ready.”<br />
<br /> Amy thanked Nurse Cindy and Cindy softly closed the door behind her.<br />
<br />
As the door closed and Amy was sure no one was near it, she was finally
safe to do what she had been wanting to do the minute she received the
news.<br />
<br />
She put her head in her hands and began to cry.<br />
</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-37782369698027755392018-12-24T04:22:00.000-08:002018-12-24T04:22:07.609-08:00Chappy - Chapter 2<div class="_5pbx userContent _3ds9 _3576" data-ad-preview="message" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_g">
Chapter 2<br />
<br />
March 12th – 5:17am<br />
<br />
The radio blasted as Jimmy tried to stay awake. He had unzipped the
windows of his red Jeep Wrangler and was letting the cool air blow
through onto his face. He was unusually tired as he headed through town
to work and he thought a mixture of Mt. Dew, cold air, and the radio up
as loud as he could stand would help.<br />
<br /> “You’re too shy, shy! Hush,
Hush, eye to eye….” sang the young accountant at the top of his lungs as
the one hit wonder played over his radio speakers. It was tax season
and Jimmy Lewis had been putting in fifteen hour days, but he didn’t
mind. He wasn’t married, lived at home, was making a lot of money and
had life by the horns. With the exception of the fatigue that he
couldn’t seem to relieve himself of, everything else was perfect.<br />
<br />
The song ended and commercials began, so naturally, Jimmy reached for
the knob and turned down the radio so that he could barely hear it. His
eyes seemed to be growing heavier and heavier by the mile, but just
another few and he would arrive at Larkin, Castle, and Associates.<br />
<br />
As he approached the green light at the intersection of 1st and
Inglewood, his eyelids finally got the better of him and closed around
his bloodshot eyeballs. Jimmy opened his eyes as soon as he realized
what had happened, but it was too late, he was headed for the median. In
an attempt to correct himself, he snatched the wheel to the right,
overcorrecting and sending him off the road where he slammed into an
embankment and began a barrel roll that rivaled the Hollywood Studio’s
stunt show in Orlando, Florida. Although his Jeep flipped three times
before resting in a heap on the shoulder of the highway, Jimmy was
ejected on the second flip and landed some thirty feet away from the
final resting place of his pride and joy. As his body hit the ground,
his head struck the shoulder of the highway and knocked him unconscious.
Within ten minutes, EMS and officers were on the scene. Strangely
enough, however, the Chief of Police was there too, having been called
out of his bed by Sergeant Owens.<br />
<br />
“Call Chappy, have her meet me
at the hospital,” the gruff voice instructed Sergeant Owens. The voice
belonged to a man, in his sixties, worn by time and forty years on the
job. His face was clean shaven and would have been smooth if not for the
frown lines that had made their home on his brow and around his mouth.
He remained emotionless as he spoke, “I will be en route soon. I want to
be there before she arrives.”<br />
<br /> “Yessir. On it,” responded Owens.<br />
<br />
Red and blue lights were flashing all around the scene and as police
did their best to redirect the morning commuters and EMS personnel
tended to Jimmy. Jimmy was only twenty-three years old and it was
determined that he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. In fact, he was barely
breathing when first responders arrived.<br />
<br /> Sergeant Owens returned to the Chief as he continued to stare expressionless at the crumpled Wrangler.<br />
<br /> “All set. Chappy is on her way to the hospital, Chief.”<br />
<br /> The chief didn’t look up, but responded, “10-4.”<br />
<br /> Both men stood in silence for a few moments before Sergeant Owens spoke again.<br />
<br />
“Chief,” he spoke softly, as the ambulance pulled away from the scene,
sirens blaring over their conversation, “Chappy is always there for us,
but who’s gonna be there for Chappy?”<br />
<br /> The Chief looked up, also
speaking softly and completely out of character for him, “We will,
Owens. Get this mess cleaned up and then get everyone to the hospital.
Her son is all Chappy has left.”</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-13838013734432788952018-12-24T04:20:00.003-08:002018-12-24T04:20:51.689-08:00Chappy - Chapter 1<span class=" UFICommentActorAndBody"><span><span> <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g"><span><span>Tuesday, March 12th - 3:34am</span><br /><br /><span>The
rattling of her 2002 Ford Expedition echoed through the almost vacant
parking lot of Tucker Plaza. It was late, far too late for a Police
Chaplain to be out doing anything, but she couldn't sleep. Amy Parker
was a ten </span></span><span><span><span>year veteran of the Mochaton
Police Department. A tour that had and probably always would be strictly
voluntary. The Mocaton PD was a small department, deploying three
officers on the streets at any given time. The town was small and so was
the crime rate. The need for a chaplain, while necessary, meant that
Amy was never extremely busy and had to find ways to serve the officers
between tragedies and in her decade of service, there had never been a
major event.</span><br /><br /><span>"Mocaton," the radio in her car came on, "do you have anything on that plate I gave you?"</span><br /><br /><span>The
voice was that of Sergent Jeff Owens. He had just pulled a vehicle over
on the other side of Tucker Plaza and was waiting on the registration
information to come back from dispatch. Amy pulled her vehicle into a
parking space a safe distance away, facing the flashing blue lights that
helped to light up the poorly lit Plaza. Putting her personal vehicle
in park, she pressed a button on the top left of her dash and four white
lights on the front of her Expedition began to flash intermittently. It
was an unnecessary gesture, but she enjoyed doing it because it made
her feel like part of the team, even though she was nowhere close to the
scene.</span><br /><br /><span>"10-4" the dispatcher responded, "that tag
is on a white Chevy Tahoe, Class C license, registered to Needlebaum out
of Georgia, valid insurance and registration, no warrants."</span><br /><br /><span>"Routine
traffic stop," thought Amy. She knew better than to ever say that in
front of anyone else, because as she had been told many times, there is
no such thing. But, in Amy's case, she saw plenty of traffic stops that
ended just like this. It wasn't that Amy wanted anything bad to happen.
She gave thanks to God each time a traffic stop ended peacefully, but
she found herself becoming complacent like so many of the officers,
because that was all that ever came back from dispatch when an Mocaton
officer pulled someone over.</span><br /><br /><span>"10-4" Answered Sergeant Owens, then he added, "Thanks for the backup, Chappy."</span><br /><br /><span>Amy
smiled, reached for her radio, keyed the mic and responded, "10-4,
1501. 1501 was his badge number and while Amy had a number they used for
her handle, 1777, she was affectionately called "chappy" by everyone in
the department.</span><br /><br /><span>She set her mic down, reached to
the dash, turned off her lights, and cranked her car. By this time,
Sergent Owens had returned to his vehicle. The traffic stop was over.
All was well. Amy had done her job.</span><br /><br /><span>Amy felt a sense
of pride watching over her officers like she had just done. She wasn't
armed or anything, but she knew that they felt a sense of security when
they knew she was nearby watching their backs with access to a radio.
The Chief had made it clear to her when he granted her radio use that
she could watch and report, but she wasn't to interfere or step in. She
had no police training, no weapon, and no vest and she knew the Chief
was simply looking out for her safety. So she always kept her distance
and monitored ready to report in if an officer needed backup and
couldn't key their mic to let dispatch know. Of course, this never
happened, and while that made for a boring night, Amy was always
thankful that her officers were safe.</span><br /><br /><span>The radio
remained silent as Amy drove home. She was finally getting tired and
thought she would try to get some rest. It was after 4:00am when she
pulled into her driveway and shut off the engine. Amy had a busy day and
she had to be up in just two hours, but she was fulfilled. She knew she
had done a great thing and she could tell in her Sergeant's voice when
he thanked her for "backing him up" and that was all the pay she needed.
The smile never faded until her head hit her pillow and she finally
drifted off to sleep. Unfortunately for Amy, this was the last time she
would smile for a while.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-30889826166023198452018-08-07T10:58:00.001-07:002018-08-07T10:58:49.359-07:00A Love that Never Dies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ895MaQD8gMTIdFW2lPZVK_-iPiI_-m7wIHeBwzL0VzeiDYJMULikcRqxNzVXeNxkKCV_3fVaxrpS2pcAufCz0l7hjDDqtef4buAgWC1vZU_NzcTEt8bTwAwv2mImKIcaXtwd-ZDMPts/s1600/IMG_20180807_103610173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ895MaQD8gMTIdFW2lPZVK_-iPiI_-m7wIHeBwzL0VzeiDYJMULikcRqxNzVXeNxkKCV_3fVaxrpS2pcAufCz0l7hjDDqtef4buAgWC1vZU_NzcTEt8bTwAwv2mImKIcaXtwd-ZDMPts/s320/IMG_20180807_103610173.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Today I visited an elderly member of our church at the assisted living home nearby. As we sat in her living room, she told me a story about how she likes to kiss the picture of her late husband and tell him all about her day. She asked me if this was alright, fishing to know if I thought her behavior was odd. Although she never said, I am sure somewhere along the line she has shared this with someone who thought that in was in fact an odd thing to do. All I could do was smile while she told me about the conversations that she has had with the photograph. I assured her that this didn't seem odd to me, but that some people find me odd anyway.<br />
<br />
She also told me about how she had passed her ring down to the oldest daughter and one day she realized she missed wearing it on her finger. Her husband had been long gone from this world, but she desired to let everyone know that she was still married. Although she could have married someone else, she told me that her late husband, Alvin, was the only man who could truly hold her heart. She struck me as being as madly in love with him today as she has ever been, probably even more. The picture above is actually her hand and ring, taken at the end of my visit. Her daughters bought her this wedding band as a reminder of a love that never died. She gave me permission to tell this story and use their names.<br />
<br />
Ms. Betty Wheeler met Alvin the same way many of us did, riding his bus. For some of us, he was a school bus driver, for her, he was the driver of a passenger travel bus. Ms. Betty longs for the day that she will embrace him once again and tell him everything that has happened since he left, but until then, she will talk to his picture, give it a kiss, and smile knowing that her man still holds her heart, long after going Home.<br />
<br />
As I processed the story, sitting in her living room, it made me think of conversations that I have had with many young couples over the years. This conversation has even become one that I have had in my own home. What would someone do, if their spouse died? For some, they get remarried and there isn't anything wrong with that. For others, they choose to go it alone, spending the rest of their days experiencing life with the memories of their best friend close to their heart.<br />
<br />
The love that Ms. Betty has for Mr. Alvin is something that I think I have only seen in the romantic movie <i>The Notebook. </i> Listening to her share was to hear something out of a well-written love story, suitable only for the big screen. But not so, in fact, it is the true story of a love that will never die. The rest of us can only hope to be so madly in love as we reach those later years of life. Some of us have work to do.<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-62532692335586999652018-08-02T08:33:00.001-07:002018-08-02T12:37:35.226-07:00From the Pastor's Heart - August Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOV_tx39qlRn22FqIPUym2Z9JMvInkbVmrQB48slHB20kyIk2hZnMw4GcaGAopa48o7uLiGHiIT-wHQyXYAykX4oTM2e8iaY6TyeIDzejXcKa5DcjW5BRNTaKy86R6-6Rzk7txR4RX7M/s1600/Pastors+Heart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOV_tx39qlRn22FqIPUym2Z9JMvInkbVmrQB48slHB20kyIk2hZnMw4GcaGAopa48o7uLiGHiIT-wHQyXYAykX4oTM2e8iaY6TyeIDzejXcKa5DcjW5BRNTaKy86R6-6Rzk7txR4RX7M/s1600/Pastors+Heart.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Start Strong</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Well, we have officially made it through the summer and this year the slump wasn't that bad. My first year, we never slumped, then the last two, we slumped bad. This summer we rose and fell like the tides, but all in all it was a pretty good summer. School is scheduled to start and families will be joining us. Some of you have been gone all summer and you may be shocked to see how things have changed since you've been away. Others have been here and may be wishing for a break! Whatever the case, I want to encourage you to start off this school year with the students by developing good study habits of God's Word. Here are some tips:</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
1) Set a time daily - just like students who have a structured homework schedule, we all need a set time to study God's Word whether it is by reading the Bible or a devotion. Time spent doing this will only benefit us. So go ahead and schedule it now.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
2) Meet with the Teacher - Jesus is the greatest teacher the world has ever seen (or ever will see). Having an excellent teacher, however, isn't enough. We need to meet with the teacher, get some extra help, and spend time learning from them. Plan on meeting regularly with Jesus to have Him point out some areas of learning in your life.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
3) Go for Perfect Attendance - there is no doubt, students who attend classes do much better than students who don't. The same can be said for church goers. The more we attend Sunday School and Church, the better apt we are to be prepared for the tests coming up. I don't really expect anyone to have perfect attendance at church, but when you think about it, why not? It is still less time than spent at work or school!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
4) <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make Friends in Class - one of the greatest experiences in school can involve friends. Friends are people we are close to and we end up "doing life" with them. We need this in church as well and we are created to be a community together. So why not make some new friends at church this month? Who knows what interesting things behold you?!</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
5) Plan for Recess - if the saying is true, <i>All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy </i>then I want to warn you not to be like Jack....by the way, this is in no way related to Jack Clifton who loves to play! If we are serving the Lord and working our "you know what's off" but not enjoying the recess time he has given us together, we will burnout before Christmas. Find ways to enjoy being at church. Start with not taking life too seriously.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
I am looking forward to a great School Year and an even better Church Year! I hope you are as well!</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Pastor Chester</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-37999261355245378132018-07-26T09:20:00.002-07:002018-07-26T09:20:53.769-07:00Is the idea that Opposites Attract unbiblical?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1Yj6nHrRDYhPCbLjIHtLwe_BkGRLz8tWR_0g16gwN1-JMYpiIccFd71Vy48catBdXDGnoBYsRTuEQ6bDgRWgltdVwLMtK6cHpaE1lqcZCYJ63zVdhn5I3UcNGB7eTmYbCr_t6-CsxFg/s1600/Cylindrical_magnet.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="616" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1Yj6nHrRDYhPCbLjIHtLwe_BkGRLz8tWR_0g16gwN1-JMYpiIccFd71Vy48catBdXDGnoBYsRTuEQ6bDgRWgltdVwLMtK6cHpaE1lqcZCYJ63zVdhn5I3UcNGB7eTmYbCr_t6-CsxFg/s320/Cylindrical_magnet.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Is the idea that <i>Opposites
Attract</i> unbiblical?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The idea that opposites attract is not a new one. In fact,
who really knows how long it has been around? Anyone who knows us knows that my
wife and I are total opposites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
loud, she’s soft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I talk a lot, she’s
doesn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like action movies, she likes
foreign films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like playing video
games, she does not. I hate yard work, she loves it. I am messy, she is clean.
There are some different theories in the world today that suggest opposites in
a relationship may not be so good after all., however Dr. Gary Chapman
disagrees. In his book, <i>The 5 Love Languages</i>, Dr. Chapman suggests that there
are five different languages that each individual speaks and often times it is
not the same one. Additionally, Dr. Chapman believes that “your emotional love language
and the language of your spouse may be as different as Chinese from English”
(Chapman, 15, 2017). If this is the case, it is not the opposites that cause
the problem, they are merely symptoms. In actuality, it is the lack of
communication or the ability to communicate that causes trouble. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been suggested that the verse in 2 Corinthians 6:14
which reads, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership
have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness”
(NASB), gives couples reason to pause if they notice differences in themselves.
This, however, is a poor hermeneutical understanding of the text. The idea of
being bound together with unbelievers or unequally yoked (KJV) is not an issue
of opposites it is an issue of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The image used by the Apostle Paul in this letter to the Corinthians is
one that is borrowed from earlier texts, specifically Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy
22:10, which both warn about intermarriage or close alliances with nonbelievers.
If the couple is not made up of two believers in Christ, the Bible clearly contains
warnings for the union to be ended and not continue on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it comes to a couple, such as my wife (Heather) and I,
opposites must be clearly defined and understood prior to marriage as well as
navigational/communicational techniques learned for such times when
disagreements or misunderstandings occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Opposites are not inherently bad, but a couple that is not prepared for
how opposites will affect their marriage can suffer greatly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe, while “opposites attract” should
not be reason alone to date or marry someone, when opposites appear they can be
used to highlight the special differences and individuality. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In today’s society it seems as if the term <i>opposite
</i>is negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, if you
have a different opinion than I do, you are wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that is not how opposites should be
seen and good communication in and out of marital relationships is the key to
success.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Chapman, G. D.,
& Green, J. (2017). </span><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333;">The
5 love languages: The secret to love that lasts</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">. Chicago: Northfield Publishing.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Photo credit: By Geek3 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40403559</span></span></div>
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-23494649938854906432018-07-19T14:38:00.001-07:002018-07-19T14:38:27.269-07:00Should We Marry for Love, Only?<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2WbYF7aohNAPyeX8sduKHDu68ZIzRk2Fi1ZsnDlGyrm6rJ7skFQEMg3JvDS2lXSBJLmUEKIUemfF-QFeDLTm_rVkNNYROp-lpoD-p4XXtsVzV4S_TiUDlibgI0R4z9fwjuMI-CqIJsE/s1600/love_and_marriage-title-1-Wide+16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2WbYF7aohNAPyeX8sduKHDu68ZIzRk2Fi1ZsnDlGyrm6rJ7skFQEMg3JvDS2lXSBJLmUEKIUemfF-QFeDLTm_rVkNNYROp-lpoD-p4XXtsVzV4S_TiUDlibgI0R4z9fwjuMI-CqIJsE/s320/love_and_marriage-title-1-Wide+16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><span id="goog_665413889"></span><span id="goog_665413890"></span><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The idea of falling in love and
getting married is a novel one. In fact, for many, marriage to one that
they do not love seems unfathomable. But recent psychologists and
self-proclaimed experts have offered their opinions on the matter. For
example, Matchmaker </span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; padding: 0in;">Hellen</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> Chen says,
"if you really want to get married, you should simply commit to marriage
and let romance happen...later" (</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; padding: 0in;">Trespicio</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, 2015).
Her reasoning is that, in her opinion, dating is a recipe for heartbreak and
that marriage must come first. In other words, "successful marriages
don't start with love, they end with it" <span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> (</span></span></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; padding: 0in;">Trespicio</span></span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; padding: 0in;">, 2015).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Conversely,
Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker argues that when a couple is in love,
their motivation should not be anything else
(Hartwell-Walker, 2016). One specific reason Hartwell-Walker cited as
a reason to not get married was to legitimize sex. A seemingly good
statement by most standards as I suspect that most Christian parents
would discourage their kids from marrying for sex. There is no
doubt that the Bible clearly offers support for marriage between a man and
woman of whom God has united in love. For example, Colossians 3:14 says
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in
perfect unity." Ecclesiastes 4:9 records, “Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help
them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one
keep warm alone?” And the Apostle Paul made clear in Ephesians 5:25 that a man
is supposed to love his wife in a special way by writing, “For husbands, this
means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for
her."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">These are just a few verses and
if left here seem to be reason enough to argue that marrying for any reason
other than love is unbiblical. But then there’s that one verse that the same
Paul wrote when addressing the church at Corinth which says, “Now to the
unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to
marry than to burn with passion” (I Cor 7:8-9).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While somewhat out of context, even in the entire context of the I
Corinthian letter, and more specifically in the context of chapter 7, Paul
clearly states that it is better for a man and woman to marry than to be given
to lustful desires. It is important to note, however, that this man or woman
Paul is addressing is one that is not like him, i.e. gifted for singleness. God
has given some the ability not to burn or lust and such people are considered
as gifted for singleness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Some might find reason to ask, “so
if I want to have sex with that person, we can go ahead and get married and all
is well?” However, to ask such a question with intent to follow through shows
immaturity and a lack of understanding for the purpose of marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a man and woman burring with desire for
one another, one might hope that there is love between them as well. However,
it is possible for a person to burn with lust while love is absent. For the
Christian, this desire must not be the driving factor of decision making in
their life. While love is certainly a part of most marriages, in the beginning
anyway, and lust may be present as well, the only true cause for marriage is
the bringing together of that one man and one woman by the very God that
created them, one for another. For each believer, discovering God’s Will for
their lives must be first and foremost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Marriage for any other reason, be it financial benefits, unexpected pregnancy,
familial pressure or even love on its own, does not carry with it the blessings
of marriage anointed and ordained by God. It can work, but it isn’t the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
What say you? Please comment below.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="border: none 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; padding: 0in;">References</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">Trespicio</span></span></span></span><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">, T. (2015, April 09). 3 Reasons Why You <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">Shou</span></span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;">ld</span></span></span></span><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;"> Marry FIRST And Fall In Love Later. Retrieved July
19, 2018, from <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">https</span></span></span></span><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">://<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">www</span></span></span></span><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">.<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">yourtango</span></span></span></span><span style="background: #fef1d2; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">.com/2014212217/case-getting-married-first-falling-love-later</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; orphans: 2; outline: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">Hartwell-Walker, M., Ed.D. (2016, July 17). 5 Reasons Not To
Marry the One You Love. Retrieved July 19, 2018, from <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">https</span></span></span></span><span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">://<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"></span><span class="mceitemhiddenspellword"><span style="background-position-x: 0%; background-position-y: 100%; cursor: default; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , "serif"; padding: 0in;">psychcentral</span></span></span></span><span style="background: white; border: none 1.0pt; color: #333333; padding: 0in;">.com/lib/5-reasons-not-to-marry-the-one-you-love/</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-67372696245494203802018-01-23T07:12:00.002-08:002018-01-23T07:17:09.840-08:00The Most Dangerous Body Part<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVNZrym_gpUqId6TrXjfgsdy58uyiDqkFpira9oMeOQDH_dItPhDmN9595Mx_2WdCELn4POa15grirYgMHtFqtMF-k6Ax4cLKdoXq8bY07WYBZcWIpLPt-EV-7AxYQ54m2Y5oPG8aN30/s1600/taming_the_tongue-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVNZrym_gpUqId6TrXjfgsdy58uyiDqkFpira9oMeOQDH_dItPhDmN9595Mx_2WdCELn4POa15grirYgMHtFqtMF-k6Ax4cLKdoXq8bY07WYBZcWIpLPt-EV-7AxYQ54m2Y5oPG8aN30/s320/taming_the_tongue-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 18:21 KJV</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I remember a friend of mine from many years ago quoting Proverbs 18:21 to me. It was not a Bible drill nor was he showing me how good he was at reciting Bible verses. He was actually rebuking me with the Word of God <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16-17" target="_blank">(2 Tim 3:16-17)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
He may not remember doing this, but I hope to always remember his strength and courage when he told me simply to watch my mouth because I had the ability to either speak good into people's lives or speak bad, and at the time, I was speaking bad. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the church I have often seen this issue arise because of familiarity. People spend so much time together and become so close that before long they begin sharing their deep feelings with each other. If used wisely, this is both productive and beneficial for believers. However, used unwisely, it can undo the work that God has been doing. It can hurt the testimony of believers as they strive to reach the lost and unchurched community around them. And it can split a church in a fraction of the time that it took to bring the church together. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Proverbs 12:18 says, <em>The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. </em>Likewise, James wrote in James <span data-term="goog_1919140354">1:26</span> <em>“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”</em></div>
<em></em><br />
<em> </em>The tamed tongue is not just about "not hurting people," it is also about honoring the very God who plucked the believer out of the pit through Jesus Christ. It is about recognizing the evil that the Devil wants to use our tongue for <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+3%3A8&version=NIV" target="_blank">(James 3:8)</a> and resisting his evil plan to use us against the body of Christ. <br />
<br />
Knowing how the enemy works is knowing that as people grow closer together and begin sharing their lives with each other, the enemy is watching, ready to use these growing relationships to cause division. As believers, we must be ready for this and know what the tactic of the enemy is. We must commit to speaking life into everyone and not death. We must live to honor God and his Son with our words, thoughts and deeds. For if we choose not to, plainly put, we cross the line from supporting God's work to supporting the work of the enemy. <br />
<br />
In the modern church, which many local assemblies total less that 100 on a given Sunday, it does not take long for the tongues of a few to tear down the work of the Holy Spirit. That is why I want to encourage everyone to repent of things they have said. Extend grace and forgiveness to those who have said things about them. And honor the Lord with a mission to seek the Lost and share Christ with them. That's the mission of the church and that's the life that should be flowing from our tongues. <br />
<br />
<br />
Chester Proctor, Pastor <br />
Smith Street Baptist Church, Vidalia, Georgia<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
#TheChangeIsYou2018</div>
<span class="p"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-39556758166294112412016-12-15T12:28:00.004-08:002016-12-15T12:28:52.699-08:005 Reasons Pastors (or anyone else) Should Not Threaten to Quit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiUYfZ8iVcJQ7u5alQBSXtxKBWNyEnP59fuIEYWtQqn3dSLLWT1oKOIQ7K1_sALja-LREcWBHDzr8jh5hUEvBepkU6ZayFBoeXaF2tdI6i8IycdikbA5DwjvZBdDlj54DFw7PunJ1rIA/s1600/pinstripes_farewell-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiUYfZ8iVcJQ7u5alQBSXtxKBWNyEnP59fuIEYWtQqn3dSLLWT1oKOIQ7K1_sALja-LREcWBHDzr8jh5hUEvBepkU6ZayFBoeXaF2tdI6i8IycdikbA5DwjvZBdDlj54DFw7PunJ1rIA/s320/pinstripes_farewell-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
"I quit!"<br />
"I'm not doing this anymore."<br />
"You can find someone else to take care of this!"<br />
<br />
<br />We've all been there. We have either been so stressed, frustrated or both and we just wanted to scream at the top of our lungs the old song title, "Take this job and shove it!" Perhaps quitting is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as it is done with a lot of prayer, preparation and in a loving a graceful way. But, for those of you (and me!) who have been frustrated enough to say it, without meaning it, here are 5 reasons you might want to rethink letting those words leave your mouth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) People Resent It</b><br />
<b> </b>Depending on how close you are with someone, and whether or not that person is your boss, you may be able to get away with it once or twice. But eventually, those working with you are going to resent your continued threats. You may not mean it. You may simply be venting, but eventually those you continue to threaten with this, will grow weary of hearing you complain. Be a fixer, not a griper. Don't be that person who gives off the appearance of one who throws in the towel when things get tough. If you're not a quitter, don't make yourself sound like one. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4) Others Aren't Doing It </b><br />
Those people you keep saying this to are struggling as well. No one is always happy with their job. No one is always happy in their volunteer situation. Face it, no one is always happy, period. However, for those that hear you "quit" every time things get tough, they might be growing tired of hearing it because while they feel the same way at times, they are working to overcome that feeling. If you're not careful, someone might tell you to either "grow up" or "go ahead and quit."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) It is the Wrong Response</b><br />
<b> </b>If you are a Christian, you are by definition, an overcomer. You are one who rises up on the wings of eagles. You stand tall above the mountains and you face those giants with nothing more than a sling and a stone. Because of Christ in you, there is nothing that can defeat you permanently. Not even your difficult circumstances. However, if quitting is always your first response (even if you don't really mean it when you say it) it takes the place of where your thoughts should be, and that is on the way Jesus would handle it. Getting mad, frustrated, or upset are normal and often times righteous emotions. Threatening to take your ball and go home because you didn't get your way, is not. If you continue to do this, you might need to invest in a "crying room," that is, if you are not on a campus that offers them already.<br />
<br />
<b>2) It is Childish</b><br />
<b> </b>As an ambassador of Christ, we are called to react to struggles with faith and courage. Paul clearly told us that we are not to act like children, because we are maturing Christians who must live out our faith in Christ every day. If others are watching your example and you threaten to jump ship when things get tough or your feelings get hurt, what kind of example are you setting?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) It's Manipulative</b><br />
I often wonder if we, as Christians, realize how many times we are being manipulative when we want to get our way. This is a sobering thought, but any time we try to influence someone else by using guilt, threats, etc we are lowering ourselves to the tactics of the enemy. We cannot do that if we are ambassadors of Jesus.<br />
<br />
I have struggled with this in my years and if you are struggling, it's time to make a change! What are some reasons you have for not making idle threats?<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-54546053520810254262016-12-05T08:59:00.001-08:002016-12-05T08:59:41.480-08:005 Things Your Pastor May Be Doing While You Sleep<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz6LzF5JYB4cfa47cJdnys8qe1_jkv-Uz_Ur_X7ovVI-9_Jd_Nwkii8mYDh1d6rqQ0IGpB_374XBfSDYhQBXtD4dflIz9wD1WMTdv2zb_dKLCm-W2Mzgz6warTeTOWdXEWMZi4BEDs08/s1600/pastor_s_blog-title-1-still-4x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz6LzF5JYB4cfa47cJdnys8qe1_jkv-Uz_Ur_X7ovVI-9_Jd_Nwkii8mYDh1d6rqQ0IGpB_374XBfSDYhQBXtD4dflIz9wD1WMTdv2zb_dKLCm-W2Mzgz6warTeTOWdXEWMZi4BEDs08/s320/pastor_s_blog-title-1-still-4x3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Do you ever wonder "just what does my pastor do, anyway?" It is okay, not only am I not offended by that question, I also once asked it myself. For most of the congregation, seeing the pastor is limited to one or two hours per week and in the case of emergencies. When this happens, it is not uncommon for people to begin questioning the role, purpose or time that the pastor spends doing, "God knows what!"<br />
<br />
From my personal experience, and the experience of my colleagues, here are some things your pastor may be doing, while you sleep!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) Praying</b><br />
<br />
This may seem obvious, but understand that there are many times when I am up either late or early talking to God. Usually when I am up late doing this, I am doing it on behalf of someone else. Either a sick person, a suffering family, or the church as a whole. When I am up late talking to God, it's because I can't sleep and when I can't sleep, it may be due to some issue or problem that is weighing on me, either personally or on behalf of others.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><b>4) Visiting</b><br />
<br />
You might be wondering, "who would my pastor be visiting while I am sleeping?" I would venture to say that more often than not if your pastor is visiting someone late, it is either at a hospital, hospice, or the bed of someone who is about to die.<b> </b>I can't tell you the many times I have gotten up from dinner because the phone rang, kissed my wife and kids goodbye and ran off to the hospital or somebody's home in an emergency. Your pastor's family will most likely understand this demand on him, but don't be fooled into thinking that it doesn't cost him valuable time with them. If his family doesn't understand, it may cost him more than you would ever imagine.<br />
<br />
<b>3) Reading</b><br />
<br />
I used to believe that being a full-time vocational pastor meant I would have countless hours to sit in my office and read. That is usually not the case. There are times that I can shut my door and enjoy a good book that helps me become a better pastor, leader, preacher, teacher, scholar, etc. However, I can't remember the last time I read, at the office, uninterrupted and don't try and do it a coffee shop or restaurant in a small town. That is an invitation for interruption. No, the majority of my seminary work (before I graduated), Bible reading, personal development, etc happens after my family has fallen asleep for the night. Your pastor may be up for hours, enjoying the quiet time that he finally has to sit down and grow, himself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b> 2) Thinking</b><br />
<br />
After everyone is asleep and the house is quiet, I tend to do a lot of thinking. I think about the day today and the day tomorrow. I think about all the things I did wrong and how I could go about them a different way. I think about what is coming in the days, weeks and even months to come. I think about sermons, illustrations, families, tragedies, celebrations, birthdays, the pile on my desk, my family, am I being a good husband, father, friend, the members who are mad with me and the members who are not, and the list goes on and on. You see, just like many of you, there isn't time to think about all of this during the day, so it gets pushed to the night.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>1) Supporting Friends</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The statistics are staggeringly discouraging when you look at the number of pastors who either leave the ministry altogether. Then there are those whose lives fall apart because they are unable to juggle and manage the expectations of their church. Sadly, a high statistic is those who deal with severe depression and even suicide. It is sad that among the anointed, gifted, called by God, pastors of our nation, so many are under attack from within the four walls they call their second home. There have been many times that I've been up late either giving support to another pastor or getting it myself. Being a pastor can be lonely. There aren't many people who will be your friends and if you've done this long enough, you put up walls to protect yourself. <br />
<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong. On my worst day (although I would never admit this on my worst day), being a pastor is a wonderful and rewarding calling. I love what I do and there is no doubt in my mind that God anointed me for this very calling. I also realize that there are many other jobs out there, some of which you don't get paid well, work in horrible conditions, and never know if you're coming home or not (like our law enforcement officers). Just remember, even though you don't always see what your pastor is doing, chances are, your pastor is carrying on with his duties as if their boss were watching them carefully, because after all, He is always watching.<br />
<br />
What are your thoughts?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-35254119183021603382016-12-01T13:48:00.003-08:002016-12-01T14:27:22.561-08:00December 25th: Church or No Church?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuz0XOKhyphenhyphen5Mp4FTGWc9K_DCC_WY34k0BNFp-YBtPpV7iLeSN6aUo-jgxZiS1gKPocefypAAteQPpH3tye9qx4RRr9meldOY_dC_3CNaDp18bxNTIdtSMNwjK8rpTBgDz2D35lPSHCxY/s1600/no_service-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGuz0XOKhyphenhyphen5Mp4FTGWc9K_DCC_WY34k0BNFp-YBtPpV7iLeSN6aUo-jgxZiS1gKPocefypAAteQPpH3tye9qx4RRr9meldOY_dC_3CNaDp18bxNTIdtSMNwjK8rpTBgDz2D35lPSHCxY/s320/no_service-title-2-still-4x3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As December 25th approaches, a glance at the calendar will remind you that this Christmas falls on a Sunday. While this may seem exciting for the average church attender, it raises some interesting questions among smaller congregations and can even become a point of contention between local churches. The question? <i><b>"do we have service on Sunday or cancel it?"</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
At the sound of this, some of you may be appalled! You might think, <i>"why wouldn't we have church on Christmas? This is perfect!" </i> However, just as quickly as that thought came to reader's minds, other readers may be thinking something quite opposite. <i>"Whew! One less thing to do on Christmas" or "now we can go visit Aunt Lula Bell without feeling guilty for not going to church."</i><br />
<br />
The problem with this question is that it comes down to preference and not biblical mandate. Sure, it almost sounds sacrilegious to not have service on Christ's birthday. Well, that is until someone points out that Christ wasn't actually born on December 25th and we are simply celebrating it that day. It begs the questions, <i>"why can't we celebrate it on Dec 4th, or what about every day all year long?" </i> You could also get into a discussion about the pagan celebration of the winter solstice and how Christians joined pagan roots with the timing of the celebration, but that's for another day.<br />
<br />
On the other side of this issue, at least for me, is the evangelism card. Let's face it, some people only go to church on Christmas and Easter. These people, while perhaps nice enough, are not walking as closely with the Lord as they could (then again, who is?). If the church doors are closed on Christmas day, does this prevent a possible outreach opportunity for those who only show up twice a year? Perhaps. With the doors open, there is much more potential to reach someone, than with the doors closed.<br />
<br />
So what is a church to do? I believe it comes down to a Romans 14 issue. It definitely is not a biblical mandated issue. So the answer must be decided by each individual church's (or denominations) leadership. That's really all we can say about this without getting caught up in our opinions.<br />
<br />
What about the congregations?<br />
<br />
Assuming your church is not having services and you aren't traveling or spending time with family, or maybe you are but you want to attend church first, I suggest visiting another church. Despite what some insecure pastors might think, you haven't committed "church adultery" because you were never married to the church. You are the church and the church is married to Christ. Besides, your church is closed that day.<br />
<br />
So find a church that is open on December 25th and enjoy celebrating the birth of Christ with like minded saints.<br />
<br />
Or,get up that morning and read the Christmas story with your family directly from the inspired Word of God.<br />
<br />
Whatever you do this Christmas, make it something that will glorify the King, not divide His children.<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-21022926529130653702016-09-22T05:32:00.003-07:002016-09-22T05:32:18.676-07:00The Actions of a Few<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_c8i">
Mark 10:45 says:<i> "For even the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many."</i><br />
<br />
This verse is a reminder to us that Jesus came and lowered himself to
the lowest point possible, a sacrifice for others' sins. In the wake of
more civil disobedience and unrest you may be tempted to take sides.
As I watched the news break last night, I was tempted to take both
sides. I found myself angry at the protesters and looters who were
violent and not assembling peacefully, and then I found myself hurting
for the families of those who lost loved ones.<br />
<br />
This verse out of
Mark reminds us that as Christians we are to be servants at all costs.
What this means for us today is that instead of taking sides and
pointing fingers, today can be the day that we show others we will not
be divided by the Enemy, but instead we will rise up in the midst of
turmoil and love each other the way God has instructed us to.<br />
<br />
This morning my 11 year old and I were watching the news and they played
a clip of a black man yelling that "all white people are the devil."
Andrew got upset at this and I muted the TV and told him that was the
opinion of one angry black person, not every black person and that we
can't judge an entire race on the actions of a few. In his innocent
eyes, I could tell he was trying to understand, but all he really knew
was a black man called him the devil and it hurt him deeply.<br />
<br />
So
you've been hurt by racism....believe it or not, so have I. I remember
it happening more than once as a kid and then again as a young adult.
That's still no excuse for me to lump the actions of a few into the
group of many. Instead, I am to emulate the love of Jesus, who died for
everyone.<br />
If your attempts to show love to others aren't
received, don't fret. Your motivation isn't their receptiveness, it is
your love for the Father that motivates you. Share a smile, open a
door, offer a compliment and do it with the love of Christ flowing from
your inner soul.<br />
<br />
Be encouraged, by being a servant to the King!</div>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-38853949120615924122016-09-07T09:34:00.003-07:002016-09-07T09:39:43.471-07:00Pastor's Book Club - Pastor's Pick September 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ9dww6D2QIRyjqdsgm_kA54_BuZ5qhJeLyu4aYcPOy3_tedzlufFkU1lcPGm3vB2kWyYI5tgXl80nf9_x8byxMWQ4TF1gdCT1qrpOt45zX-axI2nycfMQQkioArUut1alow8Jz-7oEI/s1600/7+Ways+to+be+Her+Hero+by+Doug+Fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJ9dww6D2QIRyjqdsgm_kA54_BuZ5qhJeLyu4aYcPOy3_tedzlufFkU1lcPGm3vB2kWyYI5tgXl80nf9_x8byxMWQ4TF1gdCT1qrpOt45zX-axI2nycfMQQkioArUut1alow8Jz-7oEI/s320/7+Ways+to+be+Her+Hero+by+Doug+Fields.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">In my first blog post edition of "Pastor's Pick" I am sharing a book that I have had on my Kindle for nearly two months. I picked it up while doing a study with our men from the series 33 Authentic Manhood. In this study (Volume 1) it encouraged us as men, to invest not into just one area or role of our life, but those that are most important. As a husband (and father) I wanted to seriously invest in my marriage. I would not suggest that Heather and I have a bad marriage, but rather quite the contrary, however, I know that there is always room for improvement (on her part!.....Just kidding!) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As a man chasing after God and my wife, I began searching for a book that would speak to men like men speak to each other. As a youth pastor, 10 years ago, I read <i>The Purpose Driven Youth Group </i>and have since passed it on as a recommendation to others. When I came across this book, it was the name recognition of Doug Fields that led me (and of course the Holy Spirit) to download the sample. Within minutes I was hooked and downloaded the book so I could read it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Since then, our church has purchased ten that are available for members/visitors/interested parties to easily purchase themselves. Whether you get this book because you are going to be a husband or because you want to be a better husband, get it with the intention of simply putting these truths into practice. I love to read, and I really loved reading this. I hope you will consider getting this, and that's my Pastor's Pick for the month of September!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-2742530262486453692016-09-04T05:39:00.000-07:002016-09-04T05:40:02.888-07:00A Thorn in the Flesh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yBlgzGJkEXqyfbncT0WPXL_PfqKy867QM5EhuNR_6y75TdqX_mBV7QsmgNz0V-mybLCdrcANzkODoqczAIE0ccHBTTvfRJUipqPWrA3OcMOmkAsauOkg6-rdNQfvaitJATdgOohc_9I/s1600/a_thorn_in_the_flesh-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yBlgzGJkEXqyfbncT0WPXL_PfqKy867QM5EhuNR_6y75TdqX_mBV7QsmgNz0V-mybLCdrcANzkODoqczAIE0ccHBTTvfRJUipqPWrA3OcMOmkAsauOkg6-rdNQfvaitJATdgOohc_9I/s320/a_thorn_in_the_flesh-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As I write today's blog post, I am sitting in my recliner with a heating pad on my neck and back. I have not kept it a secret that I hurt most of the time. Usually I can function without being hindered by the pain, but when I am hindered, it is serious. I realize that there are many people who have it way worse than I. I don't pretend otherwise, but with that being said, this is my story.<br />
<br />
In 2009 I was diagnosed with Advanced Spinal Stenosis and Advanced Degenerative Disc Disease. Since then I have had two major back surgeries to correct damage in my L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs. The symptoms include;<br />
<br />
Numbness in my left leg and foot<br />
Pain in the left leg<br />
Pain radiating in my left hip and down my left leg<br />
Inability to walk/weakness in left leg<br />
Constant pain<br />
Growing weakness in left arm, hands and in extreme cases the entire left side of my body. <br />
<br />
After my second surgery, and about 5 months of terrible leg/nerve pain it began to ease up. At the end of last year, I began to experience neck pain. Just like before, we started out with the X-Ray (insurance requirement, even though it never shows anything) followed by the MRI to find out that yet another disc was herniated, this one in my neck (C3/C4). Although the pain was intense at times, the disc was yet to impinge on the spinal column and thus physical therapy was prescribed. For the most part, PT helped to ease the pain, by creating more pain. I know, it sounds crazy, but even that was short lived. After about 10 weeks of therapy, the pain had only decreased slightly and was never fully gone.<br />
<br />
Someone suggested the acupuncturist, to which I was ready to try anything. I was surprised when after 3 sessions/weeks, the pain was all but gone. I could live with it and at times I didn't even notice it. It was a tremendous blessing and I was able to put off surgery for six months.<br />
<br />
However, here we are in September and it has returned angrier than ever. Another two sessions, with a third on the way and the best relief I can hope for is 6 days. Additionally, I have noticed a spot in my T-Spine that hurts as if someone has hit me with a hammer. It burns and runs down into my lower back, causing the original symptoms, pre-surgeries 1 and 2, to return. <br />
<br />
Just this morning I had to handle making sure someone (more than one) could cover at church. I really don't like missing church and when I don't get to preach, I feel down. Coupled with the chronic pain and discomfort that seems to stay like an unwelcome guest, I grow weary of the condition that I feel is stealing my life away.<br />
<br />
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 <br />
<i><span class="text 2Cor-12-7" id="en-NIV-29030">Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-8" id="en-NIV-29031"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NIV-29032"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>But he said to me, <span class="woj">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. </span></i><span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">(NIV)</span><br />
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><br /></span>
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">Although verses like Micah 6:8 and Ephesians 2:8-9 have been my life verses, over the last few years, 2 Cor 12:9 has become a verse I live out each day. </span><br />
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><br /></span>
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">Before you ask, we have run the first round of X-Rays and more than likely will be headed down the road of regular routine with the final destination being the operating table. At 34 years old, I can't do the things that many others can, without ending up on my back or in a chair for days on end. In extreme cases, I have been in a wheelchair and heavily medicated. There is no telling how much of my life I can't remember or was in a medicated stupor for. Tens of thousands of dollars have piled up in medical bills and it seems as if tens of thousands more will do the same.</span><br />
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><br /></span>
<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">As I continue to walk down this road, I will remember two things:</span><br />
<br />
1) My troubles, though my own, are not as bad as many other's<br />
2) His Grace is and always will be sufficient<br />
<br />
You probably have a thorn in your flesh as well. It is in our weaknesses we can boast about the strength and power of our Lord. I offer my pain as a sacrifice and look forward to the day when I will suffer no more. Until then, I will move slowly and work hard for there is much harvesting to be done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-73386988302390736792016-08-30T05:59:00.000-07:002016-08-30T06:47:37.886-07:00Are We Really Going to Bet it All?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB544ceEAnIHaVbJSKTaMwdlkHFio6tQ5t_gyWA5qUX9N0fs58yHmY0TTVwwLx6c8jy-WAWs8uj0tGSQ-3KKYxgFvDKdHg1iVqT02Bu1tiSLfssFC1MQ2q3_CWcgccI97is3ck2N3Px0/s1600/all_in-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB544ceEAnIHaVbJSKTaMwdlkHFio6tQ5t_gyWA5qUX9N0fs58yHmY0TTVwwLx6c8jy-WAWs8uj0tGSQ-3KKYxgFvDKdHg1iVqT02Bu1tiSLfssFC1MQ2q3_CWcgccI97is3ck2N3Px0/s400/all_in-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
b\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if pub]><xml>
<b:Publication type="OplPub" oty="68" oh="256">
<b:OhPrintBlock priv="30E">281</b:OhPrintBlock>
<b:DptlPageDimensions type="OplPt" priv="1211">
<b:Xl priv="104">7772400</b:Xl>
<b:Yl priv="204">10058400</b:Yl>
</b:DptlPageDimensions>
<b:OhGallery priv="180E">259</b:OhGallery>
<b:OhFancyBorders priv="190E">261</b:OhFancyBorders>
<b:OhCaptions priv="1A0E">257</b:OhCaptions>
<b:OhQuillDoc priv="200E">276</b:OhQuillDoc>
<b:OhMailMergeData priv="210E">262</b:OhMailMergeData>
<b:OhColorScheme priv="220E">279</b:OhColorScheme>
<b:DwNextUniqueOid priv="2304">1</b:DwNextUniqueOid>
<b:IdentGUID priv="2A07">0``````````````````````</b:IdentGUID>
<b:DpgSpecial priv="2C03">5</b:DpgSpecial>
<b:CTimesEdited priv="3C04">1</b:CTimesEdited>
<b:NuDefaultUnitsEx priv="4104">0</b:NuDefaultUnitsEx>
<b:OhImpositionEngine priv="440E">285</b:OhImpositionEngine>
</b:Publication>
<b:PrinterInfo type="OplPrb" oty="75" oh="281">
<b:OhColorSepBlock priv="30E">282</b:OhColorSepBlock>
<b:OpmOutsidePrintMode priv="B04">1</b:OpmOutsidePrintMode>
<b:FInitComplete priv="1400">False</b:FInitComplete>
<b:DpiX priv="2203">0</b:DpiX>
<b:DpiY priv="2303">0</b:DpiY>
<b:DxlOverlap priv="2404">0</b:DxlOverlap>
<b:DylOverlap priv="2504">0</b:DylOverlap>
</b:PrinterInfo>
<b:ColorSeperationInfo type="OplCsb" oty="79" oh="282">
<b:Plates type="OplCsp" priv="214">
<b:OplCsp type="OplCsp" priv="11">
<b:EcpPlate type="OplEcp" priv="213">
<b:Color priv="104">-1</b:Color>
</b:EcpPlate>
</b:OplCsp>
</b:Plates>
<b:DzlOverprintMost priv="304">304800</b:DzlOverprintMost>
<b:CprOverprintMin priv="404">243</b:CprOverprintMin>
<b:FKeepawayTrap priv="700">True</b:FKeepawayTrap>
<b:CprTrapMin1 priv="904">128</b:CprTrapMin1>
<b:CprTrapMin2 priv="A04">77</b:CprTrapMin2>
<b:CprKeepawayMin priv="B04">255</b:CprKeepawayMin>
<b:DzlTrap priv="C04">3175</b:DzlTrap>
<b:DzlIndTrap priv="D04">3175</b:DzlIndTrap>
<b:PctCenterline priv="E04">70</b:PctCenterline>
<b:FMarksRegistration priv="F00">True</b:FMarksRegistration>
<b:FMarksJob priv="1000">True</b:FMarksJob>
<b:FMarksDensity priv="1100">True</b:FMarksDensity>
<b:FMarksColor priv="1200">True</b:FMarksColor>
<b:FLineScreenDefault priv="1300">True</b:FLineScreenDefault>
</b:ColorSeperationInfo>
<b:TextDocProperties type="OplDocq" oty="91" oh="276">
<b:OhPlcqsb priv="20E">278</b:OhPlcqsb>
<b:EcpSplitMenu type="OplEcp" priv="A13">
<b:Color>134217728</b:Color>
</b:EcpSplitMenu>
</b:TextDocProperties>
<b:StoryBlock type="OplPlcQsb" oty="101" oh="278">
<b:IqsbMax priv="104">1</b:IqsbMax>
<b:Rgqsb type="OplQsb" priv="214">
<b:OplQsb type="OplQsb" priv="11">
<b:Qsid priv="104">2</b:Qsid>
<b:TomfCopyfitBase priv="80B">-9999996.000000</b:TomfCopyfitBase>
<b:TomfCopyfitBase2 priv="90B">-9999996.000000</b:TomfCopyfitBase2>
</b:OplQsb>
</b:Rgqsb>
</b:StoryBlock>
<b:ColorScheme type="OplSccm" oty="92" oh="279">
<b:Cecp priv="104">8</b:Cecp>
<b:Rgecp type="OplEcp" priv="214">
<b:OplEcp priv="F">Empty</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="111">
<b:Color>10027008</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="211">
<b:Color>39372</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="311">
<b:Color>15453388</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="411">
<b:Color>13421772</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="511">
<b:Color>16711680</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="611">
<b:Color>10027110</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="711">
<b:Color>16777215</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
</b:Rgecp>
<b:IScheme priv="304">31</b:IScheme>
<b:SzSchemeName priv="618">Mountain</b:SzSchemeName>
</b:ColorScheme>
<![if pub11]>
<![endif]>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if pub]><xml>
<b:Page type="OplPd" oty="67" oh="265">
<b:PtlvOrigin type="OplPt" priv="511">
<b:Xl>22860000</b:Xl>
<b:Yl>22860000</b:Yl>
</b:PtlvOrigin>
<b:Oid priv="605">(`@`````````</b:Oid>
<b:OhoplWebPageProps priv="90E">266</b:OhoplWebPageProps>
<b:OhpdMaster priv="D0D">263</b:OhpdMaster>
<b:PgtType priv="1004">5</b:PgtType>
<b:PtlvOriginEx type="OplPt" priv="1111">
<b:Xl>110185200</b:Xl>
<b:Yl>110185200</b:Yl>
</b:PtlvOriginEx>
</b:Page>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="3075" fill="f" fillcolor="white [7]"
strokecolor="black [0]">
<v:fill color="white [7]" color2="white [7]" on="f"/>
<v:stroke color="black [0]" color2="white [7]">
<o:left v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:top v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:right v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:bottom v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:column v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
</v:stroke>
<v:shadow color="#ccc [4]"/>
<v:textbox inset="2.88pt,2.88pt,2.88pt,2.88pt"/>
<o:colormenu v:ext="edit" fillcolor="#009 [1]" strokecolor="black [0]"
shadowcolor="#ccc [4]"/>
</o:shapedefaults><o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "perpetua"; font-style: italic; line-height: 113%;">"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "perpetua"; line-height: 113%;">John 15:10</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<!--[if pub]><xml>
<b:Publication type="OplPub" oty="68" oh="256">
<b:OhPrintBlock priv="30E">281</b:OhPrintBlock>
<b:DptlPageDimensions type="OplPt" priv="1211">
<b:Xl priv="104">7772400</b:Xl>
<b:Yl priv="204">10058400</b:Yl>
</b:DptlPageDimensions>
<b:OhGallery priv="180E">259</b:OhGallery>
<b:OhFancyBorders priv="190E">261</b:OhFancyBorders>
<b:OhCaptions priv="1A0E">257</b:OhCaptions>
<b:OhQuillDoc priv="200E">276</b:OhQuillDoc>
<b:OhMailMergeData priv="210E">262</b:OhMailMergeData>
<b:OhColorScheme priv="220E">279</b:OhColorScheme>
<b:DwNextUniqueOid priv="2304">1</b:DwNextUniqueOid>
<b:IdentGUID priv="2A07">0``````````````````````</b:IdentGUID>
<b:DpgSpecial priv="2C03">5</b:DpgSpecial>
<b:CTimesEdited priv="3C04">1</b:CTimesEdited>
<b:NuDefaultUnitsEx priv="4104">0</b:NuDefaultUnitsEx>
<b:OhImpositionEngine priv="440E">285</b:OhImpositionEngine>
</b:Publication>
<b:PrinterInfo type="OplPrb" oty="75" oh="281">
<b:OhColorSepBlock priv="30E">282</b:OhColorSepBlock>
<b:OpmOutsidePrintMode priv="B04">1</b:OpmOutsidePrintMode>
<b:FInitComplete priv="1400">False</b:FInitComplete>
<b:DpiX priv="2203">0</b:DpiX>
<b:DpiY priv="2303">0</b:DpiY>
<b:DxlOverlap priv="2404">0</b:DxlOverlap>
<b:DylOverlap priv="2504">0</b:DylOverlap>
</b:PrinterInfo>
<b:ColorSeperationInfo type="OplCsb" oty="79" oh="282">
<b:Plates type="OplCsp" priv="214">
<b:OplCsp type="OplCsp" priv="11">
<b:EcpPlate type="OplEcp" priv="213">
<b:Color priv="104">-1</b:Color>
</b:EcpPlate>
</b:OplCsp>
</b:Plates>
<b:DzlOverprintMost priv="304">304800</b:DzlOverprintMost>
<b:CprOverprintMin priv="404">243</b:CprOverprintMin>
<b:FKeepawayTrap priv="700">True</b:FKeepawayTrap>
<b:CprTrapMin1 priv="904">128</b:CprTrapMin1>
<b:CprTrapMin2 priv="A04">77</b:CprTrapMin2>
<b:CprKeepawayMin priv="B04">255</b:CprKeepawayMin>
<b:DzlTrap priv="C04">3175</b:DzlTrap>
<b:DzlIndTrap priv="D04">3175</b:DzlIndTrap>
<b:PctCenterline priv="E04">70</b:PctCenterline>
<b:FMarksRegistration priv="F00">True</b:FMarksRegistration>
<b:FMarksJob priv="1000">True</b:FMarksJob>
<b:FMarksDensity priv="1100">True</b:FMarksDensity>
<b:FMarksColor priv="1200">True</b:FMarksColor>
<b:FLineScreenDefault priv="1300">True</b:FLineScreenDefault>
</b:ColorSeperationInfo>
<b:TextDocProperties type="OplDocq" oty="91" oh="276">
<b:OhPlcqsb priv="20E">278</b:OhPlcqsb>
<b:EcpSplitMenu type="OplEcp" priv="A13">
<b:Color>134217728</b:Color>
</b:EcpSplitMenu>
</b:TextDocProperties>
<b:StoryBlock type="OplPlcQsb" oty="101" oh="278">
<b:IqsbMax priv="104">1</b:IqsbMax>
<b:Rgqsb type="OplQsb" priv="214">
<b:OplQsb type="OplQsb" priv="11">
<b:Qsid priv="104">3</b:Qsid>
<b:TomfCopyfitBase priv="80B">-9999996.000000</b:TomfCopyfitBase>
<b:TomfCopyfitBase2 priv="90B">-9999996.000000</b:TomfCopyfitBase2>
</b:OplQsb>
</b:Rgqsb>
</b:StoryBlock>
<b:ColorScheme type="OplSccm" oty="92" oh="279">
<b:Cecp priv="104">8</b:Cecp>
<b:Rgecp type="OplEcp" priv="214">
<b:OplEcp priv="F">Empty</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="111">
<b:Color>10027008</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="211">
<b:Color>39372</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="311">
<b:Color>15453388</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="411">
<b:Color>13421772</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="511">
<b:Color>16711680</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="611">
<b:Color>10027110</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
<b:OplEcp type="OplEcp" priv="711">
<b:Color>16777215</b:Color>
</b:OplEcp>
</b:Rgecp>
<b:IScheme priv="304">31</b:IScheme>
<b:SzSchemeName priv="618">Mountain</b:SzSchemeName>
</b:ColorScheme>
<![if pub11]>
<![endif]>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if pub]><xml>
<b:Page type="OplPd" oty="67" oh="265">
<b:PtlvOrigin type="OplPt" priv="511">
<b:Xl>22860000</b:Xl>
<b:Yl>22860000</b:Yl>
</b:PtlvOrigin>
<b:Oid priv="605">(`@`````````</b:Oid>
<b:OhoplWebPageProps priv="90E">266</b:OhoplWebPageProps>
<b:OhpdMaster priv="D0D">263</b:OhpdMaster>
<b:PgtType priv="1004">5</b:PgtType>
<b:PtlvOriginEx type="OplPt" priv="1111">
<b:Xl>110185200</b:Xl>
<b:Yl>110185200</b:Yl>
</b:PtlvOriginEx>
</b:Page>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="3075" fill="f" fillcolor="white [7]"
strokecolor="black [0]">
<v:fill color="white [7]" color2="white [7]" on="f"/>
<v:stroke color="black [0]" color2="white [7]">
<o:left v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:top v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:right v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:bottom v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
<o:column v:ext="view" color="black [0]" color2="white [7]"/>
</v:stroke>
<v:shadow color="#ccc [4]"/>
<v:textbox inset="2.88pt,2.88pt,2.88pt,2.88pt"/>
<o:colormenu v:ext="edit" fillcolor="#009 [1]" strokecolor="black [0]"
shadowcolor="#ccc [4]"/>
</o:shapedefaults><o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;"> In the world of Texas-Holdem Poker and other such card games, there is a term “all in”. This term simply means that no matter what the cards reveal, the player is willing to bet all of their money (chips) that they will win. It is one of the most dangerous moves a player can decide to make because it comes with the greatest risk. However, if it pays off for the player and they win, it will yield a great reward.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;"> Being a Disciple of Christ is slightly different, in that, you are guaranteed to win. However, even being a Disciple of Christ comes with a risk. You are betting everything on Jesus and believe that He will keep His word. You might be wondering, </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; font-style: italic; line-height: 113%;">but if there is a guarantee, how can there be a risk? What is there to lose? </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;">The risk is that you may lose your “friends,” you may lose your job and you may even lose your life. While those risks aren’t guaranteed, what is guaranteed is that you will lose who you were and become who Jesus wants you to be. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;"> It seems that modern day Christians (and this isn’t really that far off from biblical Christians) struggle with being “all in”. We want to bet a chip here and there, unsure of whether or not the </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; font-style: italic; line-height: 113%;">hand</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;"> that we hold is going to pay off. We want assurances that the life we are going to live will be easy. We want to know that when things get tough, someone else will jump in and take care of it for us. We want to play, but we aren’t all in.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; line-height: 113%;"> Maturity as a Christian comes from betting it all. Put all your chips on the table. All your eggs in His basket. Devote your life to following Jesus’ example and don’t fold your hand at the first sign of difficulty. </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "bodoni mt"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 113%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></div>
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-19656863094634856012016-06-22T06:29:00.001-07:002016-06-22T06:29:08.764-07:004 Ways Christians are not Disicples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeomqCsbIoS0ML-cx37MvSOGKAZJP6GmJO0T3T3rthzhaAwnrPqshvmqUrgxsFRzPJjsthlUbuQZOf-jl9n6plaO8XkErbOdRqD33LCE_vz62V317nLEo1crVtThlO2UpWVNQP-ainkc/s1600/follow_me-title-2-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeomqCsbIoS0ML-cx37MvSOGKAZJP6GmJO0T3T3rthzhaAwnrPqshvmqUrgxsFRzPJjsthlUbuQZOf-jl9n6plaO8XkErbOdRqD33LCE_vz62V317nLEo1crVtThlO2UpWVNQP-ainkc/s320/follow_me-title-2-still-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<i> And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the </i><br />
<i> breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42</i><span class="p"></span><br /><span class="p"></span><br />
<br />
In the pages of the New Testament Jesus is quoted as saying, "follow me" to various people. Sometimes He is speaking for them to follow him at that moment and other times He is speaking to them eternally. Ultimately all of his directives have eternal ramifications and from this, we can surmise that Jesus is calling us to follow his actions, character, and way of life. To follow Jesus truly, means we are acting like Him, copying his attitude, actions and lifestyle. Another word for this is, "disciple". We have been called to be his disciples, but the more time I spend in the ministry, the less disciples and disciple-makers I seem to find.<br />
<br />
Here are a few ways that believers in Christ are not living as true disciples:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) Devotion to Teaching</b><br />
<b> </b>Although a person may attend church, even regularly (twice or more a month) being devoted to teaching is not just sitting in the sanctuary and listening to the preacher. Nor is it just sitting in the Sunday School or Small Group room and following along in a study guide. I have found that many people, especially millennials, are devoted to attendance (and even that can be sporadic at times) but being devoted to the teaching means studying it during the week. Whether it is preparation for the class, a review of material covered, or both, there needs to be more devotion to the Word of God to truly be a disciple.<br />
<br />
<b>2) Devotion to Fellowship</b><br />
Some would argue that fellowship is not an issue in the church. I would suggest that biblical fellowship is missing and this is what it looks like. Gathering with the saints of all ages, races, backgrounds, etc, not just "us four and no more." It is easy to attend church with a desire to see your friends and there is nothing wrong with this, unless the only fellowship you do is with the people in your inner circle. The church is the family of God and we must begin to act like it.Oh! And no gossiping allowed.<br />
<br />
<b>3) Actively Participating in Ministry </b><br />
This is a tough one for me to address, simply because it is one of the single most frustrating things I have seen in my short nine years of ministry. However, it is glaring at us from across the denominational spectrum. For many, simply going to church should be enough. I mean, how dare the pastor expect us to be active and use our God given gifts and talents for the ministry. It's not like the pastor is supposed to equip us for ministry, why would he dare suggest such nonsense.<i> /sarcasm off. </i>We need a lot more doers of the Word and a lot less talkers about what they are going to do.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>4) Making Other Disciples</b><br />
I am starting to understand why it seems there are so few workers for the harvest. It must be because the actual number of disciples is relatively small to begin with or at least in comparison to the number of self-proclaimed Christians. There must be follow up and action, a desire to see the lost come to know the Lord as savior. Yet, sadly enough, I recently heard a statistic that stated about 92% of people who considered themselves Evangelical Christians either had no plan or definitively were not going to share the Gospel with someone in the next year. A sad statistic, indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />
You might wonder why "prayer" didn't make the list. The simple answer is, I don't know who is praying or who isn't. At least, not as easily as these four. What are your thoughts?Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-26055037848576624972016-06-01T13:29:00.000-07:002016-06-01T23:46:51.543-07:00The Top 3 Reasons for Cancelling Services During the Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pnUSanLKnSKV9w0khGu8itOqqdzojfe1nDWaNUkIL4eXFGS6ol6g0sogo46WDfM39gapPt2f4Il18c1I4hyphenhyphen-4tS8uTTchZVktjccXGyorpStLyTFhj0eSq0U_NGo3wTPSjrGktGquGA/s1600/this_summer_church-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pnUSanLKnSKV9w0khGu8itOqqdzojfe1nDWaNUkIL4eXFGS6ol6g0sogo46WDfM39gapPt2f4Il18c1I4hyphenhyphen-4tS8uTTchZVktjccXGyorpStLyTFhj0eSq0U_NGo3wTPSjrGktGquGA/s320/this_summer_church-title-1-still-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
While on vacation this week, I have enjoyed time with my family, the beach, amusement parks, and most importantly, the Lord. Leaning towards my pessimistic side however, I have started counting down the days until the vacation is over. We returned home on Tuesday and Wednesday morning Heather (my lovely wife) had things for me to do around the house. She didn't push, because we went on a 10 mile bike ride on Monday that nearly killed me and I'm as sore now as I have been in a long time, if ever! Nevertheless, I did help out a little and found myself focusing on the few days left instead of the rest of my vacation. In fact, one of our church leaders texted me this morning asking a question about church and then quickly followed up with "you're on vacation, never mind." I tried to answer his question anyway, and he simply said, "I said you're on vacation." I smiled and texted "thanks." As I sat here thinking about the upcoming weekend, services, music, sermons, the leadership training that starts in a few weeks, and Vacation Bible School this thought occurred to me....<i>"We should cancel services for the summertime since people will be on vacations anyway."</i> Hence, here are my top 3 reasons to cancel services this summer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) People Will Be on Vacation </b><br />
<b> </b>I already said this in the long-winded introduction, but it stills holds true. It's summer and the kids are out of school. It's hot and people need to hang out by the beach, pool or in their air-conditioned rooms. They don't need to be bothered with singing songs of praise and worship, getting up on a Sunday and going to church, volunteering in VBS or sharing the Gospel with the lost. I mean sure, those things are important for the Christian life and yes, they are expected of us, but really, what harm can 8 weeks off do? Okay, okay, that's not the best reason to cancel services, but the next one is perfect!<br />
<br />
<b>2) People Will Read and Study on Their Own</b><br />
Christians are commanded to read and study outside of their regular church attendance, right? I mean, we know that it is up to us to make sure we are getting the "meat" of the Word, learning and growing, away from the church! So it makes sense that we can expect people to do this during the summer on their own. What could go wrong? I mean, many have trouble doing this during the year, so surely the time off will allow people to find more time to spend in God's Word and in prayer, right? No? Ok, number 1 will convince you.<br />
<br />
<b>1) Numbers Will be Low</b><br />
<b> </b>This may sound a little like number 3, but I assure you it is completely different. It is simple and right to the point. The "Summer Slump" is inevitable. It begins around Memorial Day and doesn't go away until usually sometime in mid-August. Since people won't be coming anyway, let's cancel services. Just think of what we could save on electricity and cleaning crews. Of course, don't cut the salaries of the staff, they are still on call! What's that? What about the faithful few or those who show up during the summer looking for Jesus? Well, okay, I didn't think about that. Forget this, it was too much like number 3 anyway!<br />
<br />
<br />
Well, I tried, but try as I might I can't come up with any good reasons for letting our faithfulness and attendance wean during the summer. I guess it comes down to priorities, so take your vacations and enjoy the beach, rivers and lakes. Just don't let those wonderful gifts that God has allowed us to have, become our <i>Summer Idols.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-50477775511831446602016-05-23T13:46:00.000-07:002016-05-23T13:49:04.722-07:005 Reasons Why Some Pastors May Seem to Not Care (and what you can do!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwwHXojzUwx_5bfydlDMCbU3f8UH1U8T5Jsp3Xozl5PZQbOY7v_AI4gEteHsV-d1PHU407iu52Xu5_FUznqG25vQld6W4Tw2thmZueo4xnC95Vpp3W0_PZbSv8pcI8Z_oRPPFtQqe7Ng/s1600/unified-title-2-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwwHXojzUwx_5bfydlDMCbU3f8UH1U8T5Jsp3Xozl5PZQbOY7v_AI4gEteHsV-d1PHU407iu52Xu5_FUznqG25vQld6W4Tw2thmZueo4xnC95Vpp3W0_PZbSv8pcI8Z_oRPPFtQqe7Ng/s320/unified-title-2-still-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>In my heart of hearts, I am saddened that places like Google and
FaceBook treat their employees better than churches treat their pastors.</i> Perhaps today, I can share with you how some pastors might reach this point in their ministry. <br />
First, it is important to acknowledge that there are some pastors who don't care anymore. It may seem hard to understand, but for a variety of possible reasons (some not their own fault) they don't care. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5)</b> <b>Spiritual Dryness (give your pastor time)</b><br />
<b> </b> Many church members fail to remember that the pastor is human too. The pastor falls under the same need for forgiveness of sins, through the redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ. The pastor is not any different in this area, but instead what may separate them is the high calling to lead God's sheep. This does not make them better than a church member, but instead it makes the target on their back much bigger. This is why it is important for your pastor to be in the Word and in prayer, much more than the average Christian. It's not that your private time with God is less important, but in the ministry, the attacks are constant and come from all directions. If your pastor isn't prepared every day, how can they hold your hand and guide you when you're attacked?<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>4) Unnecessary and Continued Criticism </b><br />
<b> (only take to your pastor, the <u>spiritually </u>important issues)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b> </b>While this definitely applies to all forms of leadership, I have never been in a position quite like being a pastor, when it comes to criticism, let me explain. The same people who smile to your pastor's face, invite him out to eat and love to show him off to friends as "My Pastor" when they run into him in town, are often the same people who will make life harder and call for him to be fired, or gossip and spread lies, when they don't get their way. In some cases, members of the church will get angry at their pastor for preaching the Gospel. Along with this are the people who bring every single little issue to the pastor. If your pastor has been called to this position, it will be natural for him to take your concern to heart and want to help you. If you take every single little issue to him, however, you will overload him and burn him out faster than you can imagine. Also consider this, your pastor is probably his own biggest critic. So when you bring unnecessary criticism, it tears him down, even if he doesn't show it. When you have to bring necessary criticism to him, do it with gentleness, the way you would want him to come to you.<b></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<b>3) Lack of Support (Think outside the box and do something special)</b><br />
<b> </b>If your pastor is still in love with the ministry, then he may be throwing everything he can at it. Unfortunately, some churches have come to expect that of the pastor. After all, they "pay him" to be there and do that. While your pastor needs encouragement from time to time, he may also need your help. Before you call your pastor and say, "hey, anything I can do?" you should realize that he will probably say "no." That isn't because he doesn't want your help, it's because he is so used to doing everything, he may not know how to delegate. Instead, pay attention to what it is he is doing and try to take the pressure off. For example, offer to come and answer the phones so he can concentrate. Offer to pay for and deliver lunch by on a day that he will be in the office working. Go pick up his vehicle and take it to the car wash, put some gas in it, and return it to him while he continues to study and work. Make sure he takes vacations, observes the Sabbath and doesn't feel guilty for taking time away from the church/ministry. If you are thinking "we pay him, why should I do that?"<u><i><b>I want to encourage you to try being different than the world.</b></i></u><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>2) Unrealistic Expectations (don't expect your pastor to do more than you)</b><br />
<b> </b>Prep for 2 (sometimes 3 sermons), prep for a Sunday School class, lead a staff or volunteers, be prepared for any spiritual emergency that may come up, be involved in discipleship and evangelism, visit the sick and shut-in, respond to emergencies, be a husband/parent, disciple his wife and children, study (be ready in and out of season), plan for the direction of the church, implement that direction plan, train leaders, answer when you call, listen when you gripe, encourage you when you cry, perform weddings, funerals, counseling and attend every birthday, family reunion, and important event in the lives of the members.<br />
<br />
All of these are reasonable in the life of a pastor. What many fail to realize is that<u><b><i> no one person can do all of them.</i></b></u> It can't be done without sacrificing something and usually what ends up being sacrificed is the most important in the pastor's life. His prayer life won't complain and gossip, his family usually takes a hit without making him miserable, and his rest and sleep can be reduced if need be. These are the most important things that God has given your pastor, but he usually will sacrifice it first, because he knows that God loves him and will forgive him if he doesn't pray or read his Bible today. His family loves him and they will understand if he can't be there tonight, for the fourth night in a row. He loves himself and can sacrifice his extra rest, in order to do what needs to be done. What he might be more afraid of than letting those things suffer, is the barrage of attacks that will come from his church, if he fails to stroke their egos. When this happens, the pastor may not only lose his church, he may also lose his joy, his family and sometimes even his life.<br />
<br />
<b>1) Apathetic Members (return to your First love)</b><br />
<b> </b>If a church is made up of people who truly love God and will do whatever He has commanded of them, then they will despise apathy, from themselves and from other members. Sometimes, the pastor finds himself in a situation where he is blamed for the apathy of the members. I was going to say that perhaps it is sometimes his fault, but honestly, that's baloney. Now, the pastor can be a part of it, but it is up to the individual to obey Christ. If a member is apathetic, it is because they have forgotten the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Their own spiritual journey has suffered for, some reason, and tradition and temporal things are more important. Some pastors are excellent at leading a church back to the Throne, but it can be a very exhausting and daunting task and with so many pastors quitting each year, it seems it is easier to give up and let God deal with them than be their leader into the "promised land". If Christians would find their First Love and get serious about their relationship with God, the struggle of the pastor would not be so hard.<br />
<br />
<br />
These are just a few reasons that pastors might seem not to care anymore. What do you think?<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-13533851609141876702016-05-13T09:55:00.004-07:002016-05-13T10:22:03.643-07:00Man! I Feel like a Woman!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj7fh-NaFmQLycyeTnMDjzlHSz65LNG0ndwcAmL4JjZO_itdqgDSSnl56heFRlr6xZ3IJqJ1Pc1qvaGOJIyvqFfDB8PQOghe0_03oQmE0z1EA4N-IkhYahzd7ptPAlBCY7blsbANTcsI/s1600/restroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdj7fh-NaFmQLycyeTnMDjzlHSz65LNG0ndwcAmL4JjZO_itdqgDSSnl56heFRlr6xZ3IJqJ1Pc1qvaGOJIyvqFfDB8PQOghe0_03oQmE0z1EA4N-IkhYahzd7ptPAlBCY7blsbANTcsI/s1600/restroom.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> B</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">efore you begin reading, I probably should go ahead and warn you. If the picture above makes you feel uncomfortable.........<i><u><b>GOOD!!</b></u></i>! I know, you probably thought I was going to suggest that you turn away and stop reading. Well, honestly, that was my intention until I began typing. If you turn away from what I am about to share with you, you will either be in favor of this tragedy or you will be willing to turn a blind eye, thus being partially culpable. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Over the last year on my radio show, <a href="http://www.change4that.com/" target="_blank">"Change 4 That!"</a> I have given a lot of time to the issues of Gay Marriage and the SCOTUS ruling on the definition of marriage. It has been, and still remains, my opinion that as Christians we must be willing to look beyond the sins of the individual and share with them the life changing news of freedom from all sin and a life full of Grace that can only be found in a genuine, trasnformative relationship with Jesus Christ. I did not bash GA Gov. Nathan Deal when he vetoed the Pastor Protection Act nor have I gone on the attack against the left-wing liberal minded administration that continues to infringe on the rights of Americans. Furthermore, I have not taken up a pitchfork and charged after the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_In_Name_Only" target="_blank">RINO's</a> on the right. I have really tried to make sure we are staying focused and reaching people in spite of their sin, because we all have a struggle with sin in one way or another and it's by God's grace that believers are forgiven. We can't be good enough to earn God's forgiveness<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+3%3A10&version=HCSB" target="_blank"> (Romans 3:10)</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A8-9&version=HCSB" target="_blank">(Ephesians 2:8-9)</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> I am not afraid to say what is true and I am not afraid to share my opinion, but I am afraid, at least for now, that even I have to take a hard stance and call a spade, a spade, even if that means that I offend you. It's a risk I am willing to take. Why? For the sake of my children and wife.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> The Family Research Council in Washington D.C. is only one of many who reached out through articles, emails, texts, and Facebook early this morning to inform me and others that </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://frc.org/ProtectOurChildren&source=gmail&ust=1463241880654000&usg=AFQjCNHT01UnYKhChkIpmQrwydlaVCXmRA" href="http://frc.org/ProtectOurChildren" target="_blank">"The
Obama administration is ramping up its efforts to force public schools
to allow students to use the restroom and locker rooms of the opposite
sex. Boys who are clearly boys would be free to use the girls'
facilities and vice versa</a>. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://frc.org/ProtectOurChildren&source=gmail&ust=1463241880654000&usg=AFQjCNHT01UnYKhChkIpmQrwydlaVCXmRA" href="http://frc.org/ProtectOurChildren" target="_blank">And if parents and students object? They are either ignored or vilified as bigots</a>." (Follow that link to read the story)<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Although there has been a lot of crazy things to happen in recent years, I never thought we would see a day where something so asinine was suggested as if it were a normal and correct approach to fixing a "problem." Until recently, I didn't want to believe that there are people in Washington who are really that hellbent on destroying Christianity. I know there are some, but I could not find it in my heart to consider this a pressing issue. Call it denial, call it naivete, call it what you will. Critics will call me a bigot, hypocrite and judgemental. They will ask me "where is the love that you preach, for the transgendered? Where is <i>your</i> Jesus in all of this??" </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Let me break it down for you as simplistically as I can. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> If Jesus were walking on this earth, right now, and he had to use the restroom......he would go to the Men's room. Listen again, <i>What would Jesus do??? </i> Use the urinal.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Now before you get all high and mighty on me, just save it for someone else. It's time we stopped pandering to the political correctness in this country and turned back towards God <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+7%3A14&version=HCSB" target="_blank">(2 Chronicles 7:14) </a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> What we are dealing with is the issue of whether a biological and anatomically correct male should use the bathroom or dressing room with a </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">biological and anatomically female. What?! How in the world can this even be taken seriously? Because the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJL4UGSbeFg" target="_blank">man says he feels like a woman</a>? No, I'm sorry. That is just plain stupid. It sounds like a high school excuse that some </span></span>ne'er-do-well came up with after being caught in the girls locker-room. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I'm not suggesting that he really doesn't feel like a woman. I don't know what it's like to feel like a woman. Heck, some days I don't really feel like a man either (like when I see a spider). And if he feels like this (or vice versa) it's not a bathroom he needs, it's a psychological evaluation. Don't laugh, I'm not being funny. That was a very politically incorrect thing to say, but guess what, it's the truth.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I will close with this extremity disturbing mental image....</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you were born with a penis = male</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you were not born with a penis = female</span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you were born with both, then I'm sorry. I don't know what to tell you, but I am sure there is a Christian doctor or a Christian therapist that can help you figure this one out.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> By cutting funding from public schools, the Administration will effectively control whether a man, woman, boy or girl legally enters the bathroom with you, your child, your family, etc. What's next? National parks, post offices, city hall........your home?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So, fellow Christians.....those of you who have rode the fence for far too long, it's time to take a stand. And for those of you who don't know whether they feel like a man or a woman and refuse to get professional help or to the person who think they can leverage this to follow a child into a restroom, let me warn you, the administration is not interested in seeing that you are treated "fairly". It's primary focus is to continue to dismantle this country and it's Christian foundation one idiotic issue at the time, while hiding not behind the cross, and not behind the flag, but behind the banner of <i>Political Correctness, Racism and Fear</i>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This country had better decide who it's going to worship. Soon.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-50413277355237749512016-05-10T13:46:00.000-07:002016-05-10T13:46:24.854-07:00I'm back.....but you know how that goes....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEX4rZIyoow5HECGLXB5ao7Xsz3IQ5AyNnyayJgURMZn6ve2L_LHlVhrpiyUHTr2ewj68pogt5AYm1tCvNGrOx_rbtvVZn5zN9fwdxCo7bRJ5_Q0P4dG4VkhUuSEeYkZn78Xw3HJAkK7Q/s1600/welcome_back-content-2-still-16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEX4rZIyoow5HECGLXB5ao7Xsz3IQ5AyNnyayJgURMZn6ve2L_LHlVhrpiyUHTr2ewj68pogt5AYm1tCvNGrOx_rbtvVZn5zN9fwdxCo7bRJ5_Q0P4dG4VkhUuSEeYkZn78Xw3HJAkK7Q/s320/welcome_back-content-2-still-16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well, I as the title suggests, I am back. Since it has been almost a year from my last post, I think I should clarify something. Since last year I have learned a lot about myself and I thank God for showing me some painful things. One of those painful revelations is just how bad I was at starting something and once it became "old hat," I didn't want to do it any more and I went on to something else. While there is nothing wrong with recognizing the change in a season of life, it is important to be honest and know when the season is changing vs. you just don't enjoy the snow any more.<br />
<br />
So as I begin to write on my blog again, I encourage you to do this.....follow it, subscribe to it, get alerts. Because who knows??? It may be another year before I post! Oh, and what will I write about? Well, that depends, but it will probably deal more with what's going on. You know, either what I am personally dealing with or what someone else is dealing with. That kind of thing. Maybe it will be about what you're dealing with! <br />
<br />
Keep the feedback coming and share with your friends...or don't.....yeah, please do. See you soon.....or maybe not!<br />
<br />
ChesterChester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-19822305212754458722015-08-20T11:34:00.000-07:002015-08-20T11:34:00.947-07:00Top 5 Suggestions for Saying Up in a Down World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IQyF2cPTb6Qp5PmexvNWlYq0Exb9qRgPsriZHCrbWhf01DwjL6JnSBgVJ1mgGjyrUIraEwQhzmn-QCgHB-EydogQKxuZW_iOcjnMnR9h05R6qpldI_rSpQNgn0qcxBChJmsH64tPg0/s1600/staying+up+in+a+down+world_wide_t_nv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-IQyF2cPTb6Qp5PmexvNWlYq0Exb9qRgPsriZHCrbWhf01DwjL6JnSBgVJ1mgGjyrUIraEwQhzmn-QCgHB-EydogQKxuZW_iOcjnMnR9h05R6qpldI_rSpQNgn0qcxBChJmsH64tPg0/s320/staying+up+in+a+down+world_wide_t_nv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
With all of the negativity surrounding us on social media and the news it seems we are in desperate need of something positive. I, like many of you I would imagine, have considered closing down my Facebook account in an effort to stay away from the constant bickering and fighting that seems to permeate the site. Each time I think about doing this, another thought comes to my mind and that is, "how am I using Facebook to glorify God?"<br />
<br />
Here are a few suggestions on how you can move through life with a positive outlook, beginning with the issue on Facebook:<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) Facebook: </b>This is difficult for many people, myself included, because with the creation of sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter....heck, even Blogger, society has bought into the idea that every voice should be heard. That's a little silly and yet here I am posting on my blog thinking that "my voice should be heard." The beauty of my blog is that if you want to read my opinions, you are free to do so, but if you don't, you don't have to. Many would argue that the same goes for Facebook and while that would be a good argument, Facebook allows for an immediate soapbox in response to someone's opinion or post, whereas my blog doesn't provide such a quick and direct response. Simply put, we don't "have" to respond to everything that makes us mad or offends us and we surely don't need to fill Facebook with such negativity. A great way to stay up in this down world is use Facebook for good, positive and encouraging posts and un-follow the negative stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>4) Read God's Word Daily: </b>It may sound like legalism, but it really isn't. It's filling yourself with the good news and blessings that God has in store. How to read and when to read may become legalistic and there are a lot of suggestions out there as to how this "should" be done. As for me, I do it as the Lord leads me. That may not be as easily discernible for some, but the key here is that the more good news you fill yourself with, the less "down" you will find yourself. Whenever I am feeling down, those closest to me will ask, "when did you last read God's Word?" What a wake up call that can be!<br />
<br />
<b>3) Pray Unceasingly: </b>There is a reason 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing and I believe that the more we pray, the better we will feel. There are a lot of other reasons to pray, don't get me wrong, but in this post it is important to focus on staying positive. Praying about what God has done, giving thanks and focusing on his goodness can really be great medicine for the mully grubs. <br />
<br />
<b>2) Do Unto Others: </b>I don't know about you, but whenever I do something nice for someone else it really lifts me up. It feels good to help others and see their reaction when they realize someone has done something for them. Wouldn't the day be a little different if each day we were looking for someone to bless? Be creative and think outside the box! If you go out of your way to bless someone else, that's 365 people in a year that you have touched in a special way!<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>1) Share the Gospel: </b>This may sound like "preacher stuff," but I am always uplifted when I spend time telling someone about how amazing God has been to me, my family, our church and our friends. There is something special about sharing God's love and the stories of His blessings with others. Sometimes it may be other Christians and then again sometimes it is with people that don't know Jesus. The key is share the good news as much as you can with anyone and everyone. As the good news leaves your lips and hits your ears, it has a powerful way of reminding you of His love for you and that can lift up anyone's day.<br />
<br />
<br />I hope you have a great week! What are some ways you encourage others and yourself this week?<br />
<br />
And now.....Off to the lake!<br />
<br />
Chester<br />
<b> </b>Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-30920456120491820082015-08-05T10:59:00.002-07:002015-08-05T11:01:54.824-07:00Top 5 Ways to Handle the Thorn in Your Flesh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC6ECRPcndVSj-VMtrftge4ih3qnhPZkHhu3O4deri_Bako-u-DMGaN8lW3221LA4YdpSTQyYNMvnXNs9zD4niQxyFWYNeRea09RwpJX-YrxwocNYiGbfLRV_xO4K4Xy59HNEZSDFHCo/s1600/A_Thorn_In_The_Flesh_wide_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWC6ECRPcndVSj-VMtrftge4ih3qnhPZkHhu3O4deri_Bako-u-DMGaN8lW3221LA4YdpSTQyYNMvnXNs9zD4niQxyFWYNeRea09RwpJX-YrxwocNYiGbfLRV_xO4K4Xy59HNEZSDFHCo/s320/A_Thorn_In_The_Flesh_wide_t.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
As my ministry assistant aptly pointed out today, I have missed two weeks of
blogging! I apologize for doing so, but two weeks ago was camp and last
week I was having major back troubles. Now, as she also pointed out,
"no excuses!" So, I don't offer those as excuses, but actually as a
way to lead into today's blog.<br />
<br />
For almost six years I have been battling spinal stenosis and degenerative
disk disease, both of which are advanced. Advanced, in this case, means that I have
the spine of a 65-75 year old with normal progression. This causes disc
problems and bone spurs, both of which can really slow me down. I live with a
daily dose of pain and the only real question is, "how bad will it
hurt", not merely "will it hurt." This has definitely
become the "thorn in my flesh" like Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians
12:2-10.<br />
<br />
With that in mind, today I will offer you 5 ways to deal with the
"thorn" in your flesh, if in fact it doesn't seem that God is going
to heal you right now.<br />
<br />
<b>5) Keep Praying:</b> Just because I haven't been healed today, doesn't
mean I won't be healed tomorrow. I keep praying and regularly ask God to heal
me. Countless times God has healed me, though they have been temporary. I have
found that when I needed it the most, He has always come through.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4) Don't Get Mad: </b>This is easier said than done, I know. There have been times
that I have sat in anger and pain, tears in my eyes, and cried out to God to
deliver me from this disease. Over time, I have learned how to deal with this
in a more productive way and when I feel myself getting down or angry, I turn
it back to praise by recognize how God is carrying me through it. Just like
Paul, in my weakness, He is made stronger.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3) Praise God: </b> There are times when I don't feel as bad as others. As
I type this today, my pain is at about a 5 on a scale of 10 and it's been
increasing all morning. Typically, by the end of the day, it is at an 8
or 9 and I find it difficult to even eat dinner without wanting to go lay down.
When my pain level is at a 5 or below, I try to praise God for that! It
helps me remember how good it feels to not hurt as bad. When it is above that,
I reflect on those times when it is less than a 5 and give him praise for I
know healing is coming in one way or another.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>2) Use it for His Glory:</b> Facebook is an amazing thing. Unless, you use
it for a stage to vent from. Then it can be depressing and irritating to
view. I try and often post about how God is carrying me through the pain
or going to get me beyond where I am at that moment. I try to remain positive
in my posts and although I ask for prayer in many of them, I try and stay away
from sounding defeated. Those posts can help others, encourage my readers and
give God the glory and ultimately, they make me feel good too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) Don't Give Up</b>: Just because God hasn't taken that thorn away from you,
doesn't mean He won't. We don't know how or when, but eventually, God
will work it out for his glory. Many times when things are going well, we
tend to forget how much we need God. It is during these tough times that we
depend on him greatly, so do just that. Depend on Him because it will be God
and God alone that brings you the healing. Take it one day at the time and
remember, don't give up and keep on living!<br />
<br />
<br />
I know many thorns are in many of my readers and I hope these tips have
helped you! Do you have any ideas?<br />
<br />
Now...off to the lake! That’s right, the lake! I found that I enjoy
the lake much more than the river, now that I have a 1985 Lowe Pontoon boat!
Never stop living! <br />
<br />
Chester<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-55780651362157623882015-07-23T06:47:00.001-07:002015-07-23T11:52:43.073-07:00Knowing Your Source<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-j7slUkXc6efb9g54StLY2LFyI-A1Q3DaC3PuriqmkwwSlVYkxSNC2U13mlyW-fHiE0PgNpouDA8BJtIynwrFwdJpM69Fivy-tfsiER9vcT6Nj9IGaBbXjTsQi3N0x_yhrNACGwwPRQ/s1600/god+does+the+impossible_wide_t_nv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-j7slUkXc6efb9g54StLY2LFyI-A1Q3DaC3PuriqmkwwSlVYkxSNC2U13mlyW-fHiE0PgNpouDA8BJtIynwrFwdJpM69Fivy-tfsiER9vcT6Nj9IGaBbXjTsQi3N0x_yhrNACGwwPRQ/s320/god+does+the+impossible_wide_t_nv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
In nearly a decade of ministry, I have learned a lot about what pastors and
staff are expected to do in churches. What is interesting to me is that often
times these expectations differ depending on the culture, location, makeup and
history of the church. For a long time, many country pastors were nothing more
than hired help that a local group contracted to care for their needs.
Visit them, even when they aren't sick or call on their family to share Jesus
with them, so they don't have to do it themselves. They were to have a message
each service, but it couldn't be a message that actually caused conviction, or
the members would get upset and after all, we can't have convicted and upset
members. But as times have changed and more and more "doers" of
God's Word have taken their called places in Pastoral leadership, we are seeing
the differences between Pastor and Preacher become clearer and clearer.
In this post, I want to focus in on some things that church members have been
relying on their Pastor to do, when he/she isn't equipped or capable of doing
it. I call this, "Know Your Source" because it is important to know
the source of your power.<br />
<br />
The following list contains three things that are impossible for Pastors to
do and yet God can handle them with ease.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>1) Read Minds: </b>My ministry years are full of amazing God stories and
awesome experiences. However, they are also full of regrets and mistakes that
have served as opportunities to learn. I remember at a church I was serving in,
very early in my ministry, when a member approached me with something I had not
done. I told this member that I had no idea this person wanted me to do that to
which they replied, "You’re the Pastor, you should have known."
My regret was that I reacted instead of letting God react and I said to this
person, 'I'm not a mind reader, you know?" To which they honestly
replied, "Well, you have to be if you're going to be a
pastor."<br />
<br />
Perhaps what they meant was that I needed to see things coming a little
better and I can actually agree that as time has passed, God has gifted me to
see the storm before it gets here...sometimes...not always.
Regardless, your pastor cannot tell you what is going to happen. The best they
can do is tell you what God has instructed them to do, the direction the church
should go and what they think needs to happen to get there. It's not that
the Holy Spirit doesn't guide us (all of us, believers!) but that just as you
have a hard time discerning God's voice sometimes, so does your pastor.<br />
<br />
<b>The God Answer:</b> God, however, can read your mind. So if you
desire something, God already knows. If you are thinking bad thoughts, God
knows that too. That's why the old hymn tells us to take everything to
God in prayer. God knows what we think, need and even want. Your pastor
can't be your God. Let God be your God!<br />
<br />
<b>2) Be Everywhere: </b>There is a fancy word for this and it is
"omnipresent" which means, be everywhere. If your pastor has a
family, he can't possibly be at your beck and call. Believe it or not, his family
is much more important to the success of his pastorate than you are. That
may sting a little, but scripture is clear time and time again that a pastor
must have things in order at home and that means he must be with his family.
The quantity of time is not nearly as important as the quality of time. So if
you really want to call your pastor at 8pm and tell him about your day, but
it's not an emergency (defined as something life or death, mind you) it can
wait. You should respect him and his family and let them spend time together.<br />
<br />
Another consideration is that if your church has deacons and they are
biblical (which means they don't "run" the church, they support the
helps ministry of the pastor) then you probably have one in which you can call
in an emergency. This doesn't mean your pastor can't be called, but call your
deacon first and then let him call your pastor if the situation warrants him
coming. It's not that he doesn't care, but unless your church has 35 or
less, your pastor can't possibly be at every bedside or front door when someone
stubs their toe.<br />
<br />
<b>The God Answer: </b>God CAN be everywhere and IS. Why is it that we
are quicker to call our Pastor or Deacon than go to God? God is right there
with us and when we need to talk to him, cry out to him or pray God is there
and willing to listen and help. He loves us so much more than any human ever
could and yet we tend to spend more time calling out for human support than
that of our heavenly Father. God is there the second you need him, so
there is no waiting on God. How often do you talk to God? How often do
you listen?<br />
<br />
<b>3) Heal Your Pain: </b>When I was a Hospice Chaplain I was surprised at
how many believers wanted me to make the pain of losing a loved one go
away. For a while, I took it upon myself to try and make things
better. The fact is, I couldn't and neither can your pastor. What your
pastor can do is hold your hand, cry with you and point you in the direction of
healing which only comes from our Father. The same goes with physical pain
and while some believe that only the pastor can offer healing prayers to be
heard by God, the truth is that all believers have access to God through the
Son. The hard truth, beyond that, is that God doesn't always answer those
prayers.<br />
<br />
<b>The God Answer: </b>The Pastor cannot heal you. He can pray for you and
he can encourage you. He can point you to scripture and the promises contained.
But he cannot make your pain, whether emotional or physical, go away.
What God does is promise that his grace is sufficient to get you through it,
even if He doesn't offer immediate healing. These are the times we must rely on
him the most. When my back/neck flares up, I know I must rely on God to get me
through it. I take it one minute at a time, which at times feels like hours,
and I pray every time. I ask God to heal me and take away my pain. Sometimes He
does, but it's only temporary. Yet I remain thankful that even if I don't
get healed on earth, I will be healed when I cross over into Glory Land one
day!<br />
<br />
There are so many things that we expect our pastor's to do and the truth is,
our pastor didn't die on the cross for us, so we must stop holding up to the
standard of Christ, in that respect. I am interested in hearing from you!
What are some things you've expected of your Pastor, that were way above his
pay-grade? While you think and share, I must tell you that it is that
time once again........Off to the River!<br />
<br />
Chester <br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4318171729505184620.post-90445506993659053622015-07-08T17:53:00.000-07:002015-07-08T17:53:37.659-07:00Top 5 Ways to Encourage Your Volunteers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3DnxqwRuVL0-QqHoGb27K2SwUDhQjGP0_vzMlYkxDwjlnZTG1UePSPArBGq8kpHk4YIoduU5uziJDRex2-hliiREAgYJtGSG0YcPhZIAz5e00n6lhDmZ6M91u_uE7nl4Ku00_K2Ij1g/s1600/volunteer+appreciation+celebration_t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3DnxqwRuVL0-QqHoGb27K2SwUDhQjGP0_vzMlYkxDwjlnZTG1UePSPArBGq8kpHk4YIoduU5uziJDRex2-hliiREAgYJtGSG0YcPhZIAz5e00n6lhDmZ6M91u_uE7nl4Ku00_K2Ij1g/s320/volunteer+appreciation+celebration_t.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
Church volunteers are so important, mainly because no matter what you might
think the pastor/staff should do, they can't possibly do it all.
Additionally, the church could not possibly pay every person (especially what
they deserve) to do the work of the ministry. This is why volunteer
appreciation is so vital. I explored this concept of volunteer importance in my
book Game Changers and today I want to give you (leaders!) five ways you can
encourage your volunteers!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>5) Thank You Cards: </b>A thank you card can go a long way. If you
are the head of a department (and you might even be a volunteer department
head, but this still applies) it is important that those under your leadership
know how much you care. Thank you cards are important and simple, but
don't go cheap in the way you do it. When your volunteer opens their card
they need to see a hand written thank you note from you. Go into details as to
why you are thankful God has placed them on your team. Don't simply sign your
name, it looks tacky.<br />
<br />
<b>4) Gift Cards Are Great: </b>Depending on your church's budget, or your
own personal budget for that matter, buying a handful of inexpensive gift cards
can be great! When I was on staff as an Associate Pastor, I budgeted for
volunteer appreciation. We took time to purchase a handful of "FREE
BUFFET" cards at the local pizza restaurant and each week I sent out three
individual cards to my volunteers. I did this until all of our volunteers had
received one and then I went to the local yogurt shop and did it again. I
heard from many how thankful they were to receive this gift and it wasn't that
expensive. Usually I spent around $5 per card and if you budget
carefully, it is possible to do this often. Granted, the bigger the church, the
harder this might be (and the smaller, perhaps more challenging as well) but
generally speaking it's a great starting point.<br />
<br />
<b>3) Tell them "Thank You": </b>There is nothing like hearing
someone say, "I wish (my leader) acted like they appreciate me."
Thank you's are free and if used correctly they can be a tremendous help to encouraging
your volunteers. Too many times department leaders get caught up in their
responsibilities and forget that the people God has placed with them to do the
ministry are vital to it being done. No leader can do it on their own and those
who try will burn out quickly. That is why regularly telling volunteers
how thankful you are for them and why (i.e. tell them how they add value to
your ministry and the church) is something that should be done weekly. You
might not tell the same person thanks every week, but you should be prepared to
thank someone every time you are working in your ministry.<br />
<br />
<b>2) Volunteer Appreciation: </b>At least once a year the staff and
department leaders should host a volunteer lunch/supper for the
volunteers. If your church is "big" you can do this by department. I.e.
have the children's volunteers one night and the youth on another. If the
church is small enough to do it all together, go for it. The planning is
best if you figure it out as opposed to me telling you, but rest assured what
needs to be done is a time of worship as you give thanks to the Lord for them.
They have been working a lot for the ministry, on this day/night, let the
volunteers rest and be served by their leaders.<br />
<br />
<b>1)</b> <b>Time Off: </b>This may sound counterproductive since we need
volunteers to do the work of the ministry in and out of the church. The
reality is that they are human and need time off. Many of them will give their
vacation and family time to ministry work and the very dedicated will sacrifice
these for years. This is unhealthy and they need to be encouraged to take
time off. When I served as a Children’s Pastor, we took off July and had substitutes
prepared and ready. The regular teachers were encouraged to spend time on
vacation or in the "adult service" with their families while our
"July Substitutes" took care of teaching the kids. Now, as a
Senior Pastor, we work hard through the summer but from Thanksgiving through
New Year's we cancel all evening services so our volunteers can rest and enjoy
the holidays with their families. However you do it, encourage your folks
to take time off, lest they burn out.<br />
<br />
<br />
These are a few things I have done over the years. What are some things
you've seen?<br />
<br />
Have a great week! God bless! And now.....off to the river!<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Chester Proctorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07966061231995968200noreply@blogger.com0