People learn best in different ways. Some people can see something and have that information locked in their minds, while others need to hear it. Some people learn best by activity or spacial recognition. Of course, though, all of us learn best if there is some combination of these things, so that it stimulates different parts of our brains. Is it any wonder, then, why we make an announcement at the beginning of our worship service for a meeting at 5PM, and then wonder why only 2 or 3 people showed up? Some studies indicate that people need to take in information 6 different ways in order to make it permanent…

http://media.blubrry.com/faughnfamily/recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-41961/TS-673869.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSFor a congregation to be Scripturally organized, they must be part of the Church. For a congregation to be all that God would have it to be, they must be present and active. Yet, there is not a single word of official qualifications listed for them, because they do not hold an official “position” or office within the congregation. Still, I believe they may have the hardest work of them all. They are the wives of elders. A man cannot serve as an elder unless he is “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2), so these ladies are vital to helping a…

Last night, for the first time since moving to Tennessee, I attended our neighborhood association meeting. We have been having a few problems in the neighborhood, and I just wanted to see exactly what was going on. From living in this neighborhood for nearly 5 years now, I knew that there were a lot of houses and a lot of people, but I was totally embarrassed by something last night. I learned that there are 230 houses in our neighborhood. Two-hundred-thirty. Our neighborhood connects directly with three others. I do not know how many houses are in those three, but each one is probably close to that same number. I…

There are so many decisions to make each day. We are all constantly trying to decide between all sorts of things that are vying for our attention and time. Many times, we are trying to decide between things that are both good. So, how do we decide? How do we prioritize? While this answer may not work in every single situation, let me share with you a single step that will help you put things in perspective and help you focus your decision making. What is the step? It’s to focus on two things that are eternal: God’s Word and people’s souls. Now, that does not mean that you must…

Yesterday, we drove back from Alabama. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We did almost nothing for the few days (which was wonderful!), but we enjoyed some family time and lots of food. As we drove back yesterday, we listened to some Christmas music. Then, last night, we put up the tree and several decorations. …and …and …and Isn’t that the common theme of this time of year? There is so much to do that it seems like we never stop running. Most of it is fun, but the sheer volume of activities gets overwhelming. May I remind us all to slow down just a bit? I’m not saying that…

There are 41 days left in 2012. Do you find that as hard to believe as I do? Just 41 more days will roll by before we have to start remembering to write “2013” on our checks. This week is my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving has been my favorite for a long time, and I have trouble conceiving of a time when it isn’t my favorite. One thing we often say this time of year, however, is that we need to always have that mindset of gratitude in our hearts, seeing as how we are so blessed. That is not only Biblical (cf. Philippians 4:6), it is practical. I don’t know…