Category Archives: politics
Lessons learned from Africa
This is the type of thing you learn when Pastor Ani Simonson stays with you:
- there are 2 types of medical facilities in Nigeria – a cheap version for minor cuts or bruises. This is a very risky place. You enter at ‘your own risk’. The other facility is for the rich only. You must pay BEFORE any services are offered. No exceptions. Therefore, if you cut your arm off and you don’t have money, you are not allowed entrance into the hospital. There is no help from medical staff regardless of your medical condition. No health insurance, no credit. This is why bullet #2 is so important…
- He and his wife wake up at midnight (every night) and pray until 3am. They go back to sleep and then wake up at 6am for another hour of prayer. He goes to the church property, which currently has no buildings or facilities, and stays there throughout the day. He prays with people as they walk by and request assistance.
- His tribe is the one who appeared in ‘Amazing Grace’ the blockbuster movie about abolitionists in England and Western Africa. There are still slavery houses in his home town. Tourists can travel through them to see how it actually happened.
When we begin to think about our economy and the affects of a recession, maybe we should think about the rest of the world and put it in a different perspective.
-robin
What is my campaign platform
Lately, as I watch all the campaign mumbo jumbo, my mind wanders off because of the hot air going back and forth. I am interested in the topics of discussion, but it seems like the candidates are more interested in political posturing than solving the problems.
So, my mind wanders to being a pastor and I am so glad that I don’t have to ‘run’ for pastor of PSM. What would it be like it there were term limits to being a pastor here? What if I had to campaign for the position? Unfortunately, some people have to face those types of political challenges in their church systems or denominations.
In the context of a campaign and a platform, what would I stand for and against? Or more interestingly, what would my opponent point out as my weakness and my failures?
As your next pastor I would:
- increase baptisms!
- increase tithes (not the percent but the # of payers)
- lower backsliding statistics
- increase volunteers
- repair relationships with foreign churches
- stop the war of gossip
- improve the hostess program
- _______________________
🙂
robin
Pledging Allegience
Mike Yaconelli once said,
“The impotence of today’s church, the weakness of Christ’s followers, and the irrelevance of most parachurch organizations is directly related to the lack of being in the presence of an awesome, holy God, who continually demands allegiance only to Him – not to our organizations, to our church or our theology.”
This past weekend I referenced our loyalty to country in relation to our dependence upon God. I believe many Americans place their patriotism too high in relation to their spiritual walk with Jesus Christ. Be careful when reading my thoughts that you don’t take them out of context. I support and love my nation, but I am very careful not to substitute or equate patriotism with God’s Kingdom. If (or when) America fails/falls as a nation, God is still in control.
Taking Mr Yaconelli’s quote and these I have made, what are your thoughts on it?
moderating,
-robin
A First Step in Change
Change is everywhere! Political candidates can not say 3 sentences without harping on how they will “change it all up”.
In the current message series at PSM we are in a Campaign for Change. The theme throughout each message is: We are to “be the change”. Jesus modeled change as a forgiver and a servant. Instead of us looking for change to happen to us, we need to look for change we can ignite and initiate.
If you are looking for a quick step to change, here is a simple answer: stop procrastinating. You can launch change promptly by eliminating procrastination in your life. Change is the antithesis to procrastination. The status quo is “I’ll wait until later to do that.”
While walking by that stack of clothes on the floor, it is so tempting to say, “I am not in the mood right now to deal with those.” CHANGE is picking them up now. It is tempting to put off a relationship with your neighbor. CHANGE is taking the time now. We often resist the urge to have a tough conversation with someone you love. CHANGE is bringing up the topic now.
Mark Twain summed up most of our sentiments when he said, ” Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.”
If the world is to change, it will start in little pockets of people. From there, God produces great growth. Only He has the power to grow. I believe God is excited about seeing His people get excited about the process.
-robin
– Last Sunday/September 14th
Here I am at PromiseLand West last Sunday. We had a great time with them. I love Pastor Randy Phillips and the congregation over on the west side!
-robin
Robin Steele 