December | 2016 | On Q Blog

On the Radio – Walk the Way

Posted on December 28, 2016
/Under Evangelism

This is Walk the Way. I’m Jeff Klein. The account in Mark about Jesus calling His first disciples is an interesting one. Some of the men were actually still fishing when Jesus came along the shore and called out, come follow me. But amazingly, they dropped their nets. The ancient language implies this action was a surrendering of all claim to their vocation. They fully followed. But what I find interesting is what Jesus says will be the result of that following. I will make you fishers of men and women. Following Jesus yields something very unexpected. You won’t necessarily...Read more …

What is the rest of the story?

Posted on December 22, 2016
/Under Holiday

“Hello Americans, this Is Paul Harvey…” With those words, everyday, news legend Paul Harvey told the nation another true story. The catch? Every one of his stories had an element of surprise–the “twist” was saved for the end. Mr. Harvey would share it, America would be enthralled, and he’d sign off with his famous, “And now you know…the rest of the story.” So with a nod to Paul Harvey: Hello Americans. In the beginning, God created everything. And it was good. Very good. But then an enemy came and fractured goodnesses’ connection with its Maker. Our souls were wounded, our relationships broken, and...Read more …

On the Radio – Walk the Way

Posted on December 21, 2016
/Under Holiday

This is Walk the Way, I’m Jeff Klein. What are you looking for this Christmas? One of my Christmas traditions is watching Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation. Clark Griswold wants the perfect Christmas and is on a quest for its ever elusive Spirit. Clark will not settle for anything but the perfect Christmas tree. He spends his entire Christmas bonus on his family and strings thousands of lights on his house. He sets a place for every crazy relative around the Christmas table—all because of Christmas. I can relate to Clark. If this Christmas is anything like last year, I’ll search...Read more …

You are a bright light

Posted on December 19, 2016
/Under Holiday

One of our family Christmas traditions is to load into the van and embark on the Klein tacky light tour. Over the years we’ve found countless homes that could rival Clark Griswold’s in the “classic” movie Christmas Vacation. One house has at least ten of those huge moving light sculptures on the roof. Another has so many white lights wrapped around a fleet of moving reindeer that they’re blinding to look at. Still another is completely covered with LED lights; the windows in red, the doors in green, the siding in that purple-blue and bright white all over the roof. It looks like...Read more …

THIS can actually happen!

Posted on December 16, 2016
/Under Arts of Spiritual Conversations

In early November, Amazon released a new television commercial depicting a positive relationship between two friends sharing a cup of tea, some conversation, and a few laughs. One is Muslim, the other is Christian, and both are clerics. Together, they hit a viral chord, warming the hearts of many with a positive message that good conversations can occur between those who believe differently. Sure, the TV spot was actually about sending holiday packages with Amazon Prime, but, as good marketing does, the corporate selling giant was genius in getting us there by addressing a felt need and matter of the heart: that people want to connect...Read more …

On the Radio – Walk the Way

Posted on December 14, 2016
/Under Starting Q Places

This is Walk the Way. I’m Jeff Klein. Collinsville Congregational Church is a small, pretty traditional church in Connecticut. But Pastor Jim heard about Q Place, gathered a team, and planned their first group. They knew that God wanted them to begin something for those who don’t know Jesus. And it’s awesome. Their Q Place has met a few times and the people coming say they’re blessed by a safe place to come and unpack their spiritual questions. Jim and his team can’t wait to begin their next group. And starting just isn’t that hard! What are you doing to...Read more …

Ministry got you down? Regain the JOY

Posted on December 12, 2016
/Under Disciple Making

According to EXPASTORS.com: 50% of ministers starting out will not last 5 years. 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form. And 4,000 new churches begin each year while 7,000 churches close. The statistics speak for themselves Working in ministry—as a full-time pastor or a lay minister balancing a job and a church—is challenging. Ex-pastors cite being overworked, feeling underpaid, feeling unprepared, struggling with depression and discouragement, negative family impact, and loneliness among the top reasons for why they left their pulpits. In addition, an overwhelming 90% say that ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be...Read more …

Let us encourage you

Posted on December 9, 2016
/Under Loving

In his book Crazy Love, author Francis Chan helps us understand what counts as good news: “God’s definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.” A pretty clear mandate Yes, our mandate from Jesus in Matthew 22:36-39 is clear: Love God, love people. Could it be that simple? “We may have complicated evangelism by separating the Great Commandment from the Great Commission. Loving God and loving others is the foundation of the Great Commission.” (The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations, ©2016, Tyndale) How to start Love is where evangelism begins. To make disciples of...Read more …

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