Jeremiah Griffin

01
Aug

Was Dead, Now Alive

James 2:17
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

I snagged this coffee cup from my good friend Bill (William) Ciullo’s home after he passed away… yeah the humors are deep in here as I drink my coffee from a former dead man’s cup! I loved the idea that Bill had gone through so much and never had died only to go peacefully face down in his Bible.

This cup is obviously talking about being dead because of SIN and now made alive in Christ (thanks Ephesians, Romans and other great references that pour through my mind). But as I read it this AM the reference to James 2 came in my head.

What a better thing to recognize our FAITH in Christ to reflect the LIFE that it brings? In Bill’s death brought many sorrows, men, women and children, families and brother’s and sisters all mourning the loss. But also from his death brought FAITH in ACTION.

Bill’s clothes, gathered up, cleaned, and handed out.

Bill’s Books, gathered up, sorted and given away to many new readers

Bill’s furniture now is scattered across 8 different families

Bill’s cleaning supplies, toilet paper and even the very chair he died sitting in all have a new home and are being put to work because of the LIFE that was given to Bill’s faith.

Faith with out works is dead. The Gospel without action is muted from the life giving force that it is. God is good, even in death, He allows life and light to shine out.

This AM I drank from the “skull mug” as my kids refer to it… in reality I drank from the reminder of the preciousness of life and the goodness of God. Then I think how Bill would laugh that I took the deadman’s cup

Filed under - Devotions, Obervations, Scripture No Comments so far. Add yours now
02
Jul

Why Doesn’t my Kid want to go to Church (Part 3)

Part 3 in observations from a Pastor’s heart: Why Doesn’t My Kid Want to Come to Church?

[Part 1] [Part 2]

Graceless was left to struggle alone in the Slough of Despond. But he kept his face turned toward the distant hills, and even while floundering in the mire — he now and then caught glimpses of the shining light.

By and by, he reached the farther side; but there the mire was deep, and his burden was so heavy that he could not climb out. For a long time he struggled there — but scarcely was he able to keep himself from sinking entirely in the dreadful mire.

Pilgrim’s Progress Part 1, John Bunyan

In the story of Pilgrim’s Progress, Graceless makes it to the edge of the swamp and can’t get out, and then along comes “Help.” Another thought in this series, There is a need for the people of God to take ownership in the church and spiritual life of our teens. We refuse to leave them struggling alone in the mire, but we are willing to go with them and not abandon them, we are willing to be there on the other side to help them get up and keep moving.

Taking Ownership.

Why don’t my Kids Want to go to Church? They don’t have ownership in the worship! We so desire to have the children come and the teens to stay but we so often won’t let them take ownership of the ministry to God! The image of the Alter Boy is a stunning picture of discipleship.

Why don’t we have the children participate in the service? Why don’t we expect them to worship God with us? My teenager pays better attention when he runs the sound system and the video projection unit. My youngest looks forward to being able to serve communion even if the table is guarded and he is not allowed to take it himself. Our young ladies jump at the opportunity to help with worship, table preparation or even taking up the offering.

Maybe our kids are not interested in church because we don’t allow them to take ownership in the service to God? Yes, we can “be there.” Yes, we can be active ourselves. But do we take the relationship seriously enough that we would disciple our children in the way we worship?

Illustration:
One of the greatest efforts of this with Living Stones Rockford is when our young men were tasked with making sure the sanctuary was cleaner when we left than when we arrived. It wasn’t relegated as “women’s work” it was put as a task that had to be done. One man saw the need, he stepped up and runs it every week. Now it happens if he is there or not. This is a small example of discipleship in service.

Real leaders stay until the job is done and pick up the broom themselves and get the work done. Be a leader, take ownership of a teenager in your church — put your act of worship along side them!

Filed under - Obervations, Quotes, Scripture No Comments so far. Add yours now
01
Jul

Why Doesn’t My Kid want to come to church (part 2)

Part 2 in observations from a Pastor’s heart: Why Doesn’t My Kid Want to Come to Church?

[Missed Part 1? Click here]

The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well. Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, Chapter 1

So the process of dwelling on this in prayer has led to several other observations and thoughts as I spent time processing the depth of the overall question. What are my priorities? This leads to another factor.

Church Attendance.

Why don’t my kids want to come to church?

Maybe it is because you don’t want to come to church either?

Are you living out an example before them?

Some of the folks that seem so concerned that their teenager is not wanting to come to church, are living out a lack of fellowship with other believers as priority in their lives. It makes me think about my own attitude and reaction to church/worship as well as the people of God. How this has an affect on the spiritual life of my teenager

It isn’t about numbers. It isn’t about making the pastor feel good. It isn’t about you, me or any of “us.” It is all about God. Our dedication to worship together and in ministry with each other is a direct reflection of what God has done for us and the joy that it brings my life. I don’t go to church to make myself happy, I go to church to worship and give glory to God. I am happy because of what God did for me, sending Christ to pay the penalty for my sin.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

Yeah I know you already know the verses, but lets apply this to our children too! When worship together with God’s people is a priority in our lives, it will “spur our children towards love and good deeds. What greater earthly joy can we have but to see our children carry on our acts of worship towards God. Don’t give up!

Join with me in praying for us to live this out in front of our children and to see them long for worship along side us! Don’t give up !

Filed under - Devotions, Obervations, Quotes, Scripture No Comments so far. Add yours now

Jun 30, 2014
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My child doesn’t want to come to church
Recently I have had a couple families come to me very concerned that their children want nothing to do with Church or the things of God. We watch as they grow up and then out of the church. Parents no longer “make” their children come trying to help them learn to make good decisions. Often...
Jun 23, 2014
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The Second Cup – Dunkin’ Donuts
The Second cup of ‘ Donuts Original Blend After getting over the welcome taste of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee I was looking forward to making the cups last longer, they only come in 12 in a box vs 16 of most major brands. The first cup was great dark w/o cream or sugar. The taste was classic...
Jun 23, 2014
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Keurig – The Second Cup
One of the most requested things on the Keurig boards since I started paying attention was if it was okay to brew a second cup out of the used Keurig K-Cup! What a great idea for cheapskates like me! So there is the science that comes into play and I won’t really go into that...
Jun 23, 2014
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GoTandem App
GoTandem A great little project with massive potential! Check out www.GoTandem.com and sign up. Their little survey was remarkably insightful and the daily messages seem to come at wonderful times in my day. Sometimes to hear the voice of God, all we need to do is listen. Get in the Word, Go Tandem is a...
Jun 15, 2014
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Don’t you love it when scripture Speaks John 12:25-26 Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor....
Jun 08, 2014
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Hole in One, Doh!
Ever have one of those days? I scored a hole in one, only to find out I was on the wrong golf course! Working so hard to reach a task to fail in another task that was simple is frustrating to say the least. So focused to see God work in one area that we...
Jun 06, 2014
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OblyTile Windows 8 and Proclaim software by Logos
Well I am trying to help with the low resolution of the Proclaim icon. I drank the coolaid and bought a couple years for our church plant but the other icons look good on my launch bar. So I felt the need to make some OblyTile Metro graphics to be better. NOTE: I called Logos...

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Jeremiah Griffin

Was Dead, Now Alive

Why Doesn’t my Kid want to go to Church (Part 3)

Part 3 in observations from a Pastor’s heart: Why Doesn’t My Kid Want to Come to Church?

[Part 1] [Part 2]

Taking Ownership.

Why Doesn’t My Kid want to come to church (part 2)

Part 2 in observations from a Pastor’s heart: Why Doesn’t My Kid Want to Come to Church?

[Missed Part 1? Click here]

Church Attendance.

Why don’t my kids want to come to church?

Maybe it is because you don’t want to come to church either?

Are you living out an example before them?

Previous Posts

My child doesn’t want to come to church

The Second Cup – Dunkin’ Donuts

Keurig – The Second Cup

GoTandem App

Hole in One, Doh!

OblyTile Windows 8 and Proclaim software by Logos

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