Coming up on August 9 and 10, I have the privilege of leading a seminar at The Cove especially designed for church staffs. This two-day church staff retreat offers inspiration and education for church and parachurch ministry teams. The program includes plenary sessions and Q&A, as well as time to meet together with your team for planning, interaction, and reflection. Continue reading “Church Staff Retreat @ The Cove”
Author: Michael Catt
A Change Is Going to Come
In case you were unaware, this is an election year. During the last presidential election, I wrote an article that I think still applies to this election…
This is a year of change. There will be a new President, perhaps a new party in the White House beginning in 2009. In the next few months, we will elect a new leader of the free world. Whether he or she is able to do the job is yet to be seen. There will be changes in the White House, in Congress, in cabinet positions. Washington is already gearing up for a change. Continue reading “A Change Is Going to Come”
There’s a Better Way
We are a society driven by consumerism and marketing. There are millions of ho-hum products out there. Many are being sold on shopping channels by people who are obviously on amphetamines. They peddle products that will eventually end up in our next yard sale.
We are spenders and consumers. This is the reason Americans are in personal debt up to their eyeballs. Living from paycheck to paycheck, we pay minimum payments. We clip coupons to save a few dollars at the grocery store and look for bargains in every store. Few of us have the resources to get what we want when we want it. Therefore, it is imperative that we pay double-digit interest to insure that we keep up with the Joneses—whoever they are. Continue reading “There’s a Better Way”
“October Baby” and a December Baby
I’ve just returned from the local movie theater, where Terri and I watched October Baby the new movie by Jon and Andrew Erwin. Jon and many of the others who worked behind the scenes on the movie have also been a part of Sherwood Pictures. Provident Films made a wise decision in being behind this movie. Continue reading ““October Baby” and a December Baby”
Do You Need a Good Plowing
I’ve never farmed a day in my life. I have relatives who have worked a farm, but I’ve never been behind a plow. I do think I understand what a plow is for. You use a plow to break up the ground and prepare for a harvest. If the ground is not plowed, the seed will not get deep in the soil.
Two of the Old Testament prophets talked about the need for plowing. In Jeremiah 4:3 we read, “Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.” In Hosea 10:12, God spoke through the prophet and said, “Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD until He comes to rain righteousness on you.” Anything God says once is important. Anything he says twice demands our full attention. Continue reading “Do You Need a Good Plowing”