Speed of your Speech

Not an illustration, but comments on using illustrations.

Does how fast you talk have an impact on your speech? Check-out the article by clicking on the title below.

Be More Persuasive by Speaking at a Comfy Pace and Taking Pauses

Kevin

Why Isn't Your Brain In Your Foot?

In Psalm 139:14, the writer praises God by noting the design in the human body. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made," the writer says as he goes on to praise God's wisdom in all He produces. God has designed us. For more on this, follow the link.

Education Ministry

Yeakley, 50, has served in a variety of roles — youth, education and evangelism — during his 29 years of ministry. Steve serves as involvement minister for the Faith Village Church of Christ in Wichita Falls, Texas, he also counsels adults and works with children’s education. He directs a church camp in Oklahoma and “Kids for Christ,” an innovative Vacation Bible School format at his home congregation.


I encourage you to read the article on the Chronicle's web page at


http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2159276~A_conversation_with_Steven_Yeakley

Mr. God

I'm sorry for keepin' ya up late.
But, I wanna know
If'n you're too busy, I can wait.

You see grandma's been forgettin'
A lot of things. Mamma says so.
She forgot my name, today, Mr. God,
And she's a walkin' kinda slow.

Yesterday, she jest left
Without even sayin' bye.
Daddy brought her back and
He had a tear in his eye.

So, I was wonderin', can you fix her?
She has somthun' called 'all tizers', daddy said.
She forgets who we are sometimes,
And she forgot that grandpa's dead.

Mr. God, you give her a new rememberer
'Cause I miss her playin', and stuff, with me
And the cookies she used to bake.
And, she was so smart, wasn't she?

She used to talk 'bout you a lot.
Now, she jest talks to herself and,
Mr. God, she don't know herself
From the pictures on the shelf.

Sometimes, she calls me 'little boy'
And pats my cheek or hair.
And she don't seem to care.

Please, Mr. God,
Will ya fix her, all new again,
A'fore she gets lost and
Can't bremember where she's been?

She ain't sang a Jesus song
Like I like to hear her to do.
Daddy says 'cause she is getting old.
But, she's not as old as you.

Daddy says you never forget and
You are older than anyone, anywhere.
Mamma says, "All we can do is
Remember her in prayer.

So, Mr. God, I'm jest askin'
'Cause I don't know how to pray.
'Cause you un'erstand what I try to say.

Does Jesus have a grandma
And does she forget people, too?
I guess she would be your mommy
And wouldn't she be older than you?

Well, I gotta go to bed.
Would ya keep grandma safe, O please,
So as she won't wander off and get lost?
She forgets her hat and coat,
and she could freeze.

I love her lots and
I wish she bremember I'm her little Andy
And bake some good cookies for me,
And even share my candy.

Tell my friend, Jesus, I was here and
Give Him a hug from grandma and me.
She used to know Him and I heard her say,
"Thank you, Jesus, for little Andy."

Good night, Mr. God. Are ya tired?
You work, so hard, all day.
I'll be back a'morrow, to visit,
Before I go out to play.

Resurrection

When a dead man got up and walk. What if he was just somewhere outside of Jerusalem being fertilizer for a graveyard?

Bookmarks

I will continue to add bookmarks or favorites to this blog post as I discover relevant ones. If you have any suggestions, feel free to send those to me and I will consider there relavance to this blog. If I feel they are as valuable as you, I will add them. Thanks!

Links, Bookmarks, etc. below
parable.podOmatic.com

Teamwork

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.

He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.

Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.

Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"

Preaching on Holidays or Holy Days

Preaching on Holidays or Holy Days

Click on this link to listen online.

Kevin

Challenge People to Greatness

Challenge People to Greatness

Integrity Defined

Integrity Defined

Shepherding With Integrity

Shepherding With Integrity

Integrity

Walking in Integrity

When you do what is right, you can expect...

Cultivate Exemplary Character.
Continued Relief of  Clear Conscious.
Personal Delight of Intimacy of God.
Priceless Inheritance of an Unsoiled Legacy.
Rare Privilege of Being a Mentor.
The Crowning Reward of Finishing Well.

Questions to Ask Before Preaching a Sermon

Discussion of the importance of asking the question to communicate the message of God more powerfully.

Click here to listen to the message.


Kevin

Fresh Air for a Desert People

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fresh-air-desert-people-tom-sims-pyvic/

Say More in Less Time - The Two-and-a-Half Minute Version of a Thirty-Minute Sermon

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/say-more-less-time-two-half-minute-version-thirty-sermon-tom-sims-sxycc/

Building a Church Web Page

Advice on building a church web page.


Link to audio

Kevin Rayner

Facebook

Facebook: The Good and Bad of Social Networking in Ministry

To listen online, click on this link.

To download the mp3, right click on this link.

Make it a great day,
Kevin Rayner
Highland Church of Christ
Tecumseh, Ok

Ideas for Honoring Graduates

Ideas for Honoring Graduates

To download the audio, right click on this link.

To listen on, follow this link.

Make it a great day,
Kevin Rayner

Great book
How to Stay Christian at College

How To Maintain Your Faith After Being Fired as a Minister

How To Maintain Your Faith After Being Fired as a Minister

To download this message, right click on this link.

To listen to online, click on this link.

Kevin

How To Be A Better Youth Minister

How To Be A Better Youth Minister

To download audio message, right click on this link.

To listen online, click on this link.

Have a great day!
Kevin

How to Find a Publisher

How to Find a Publisher

to download, right click on this link.

to listen online, go to this link.

Make it a great day,
Kevin

Thought provoking interview with LaGard Smith

Resource to download and listen to with F LaGard Smith

or try this link

Prayer: Empty Chair

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister

to come and pray with her mother.

When the minister arrived,

he found the woman lying in bed with her head

propped up on two pillows.

An empty chair sat beside her bed.

The minister assumed that the woman

had been informed of his visit.

'I guess you were expecting me", he said.

'No, who are you?' asked the mother.

The minister told her his name and then remarked,

'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew

 I was going to show up..'

'Oh yes, the chair,' said the bedridden woman.
'Would you mind closing the door?'

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

'I have never told anyone this,

not even my daughter,' said the woman.

'But all of my life I have never

known how to pray.

At church I used to hear the minister talk about prayer,

but it went right over my head.'

I abandoned any attempt at prayer,'

the old woman continued, '

until one day four years ago,

when my best friend said to me,

 ' Prayer is just a simple matter

of having a conversation with Jesus

Here is what I suggest.

'Sit down in a chair;

place an empty chair in front of you,
and in faith see Jesus sitting there.

It's not spooky because he promised,

'I will be with you always'.
'Then just speak to him in the same way

you're doing with me right now.'

'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much

that I do it a couple of hours every day.

I'm careful though,

if my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair,

she'd either have a nervous breakdown

or send me off to the funny farm.'

The minister was deeply moved by the story and

encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.

Then he prayed with her,

and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called

to tell the minister that her mama

had died that afternoon.

Did she die in peace?' he asked.

Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock,

she called me over to her bedside, and

told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.
When I got back from the store an hour later,

I found her ..

But there was something strange about her death.

Apparently, just before Mom died,

she leaned over and rested her head on the chair

beside the bed. What do you make of that?'

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,

'I hope we can all go like that.'

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean. 

I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God
Painful moments, trust God
Every moment, thank God.

HOLY EMAIL

One day God was looking down at earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on. So He called one of His angels and sent the angel to earth for a time.

When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.'

So God called another angel and sent him to earth for a time. When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true. The earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% who were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.

Do you know what the e-mail said?




Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either.

Prodigal Son in Key of F

Prodigal Son in Key of F
------------------------------------

Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow
forced his fond father to fork over his farthings. He
flew far to foreign fields and frittered his fortune,
feasting fabulously with faithless friends.

Finally facing famine and fleeced by his
fellows-in-folly, he found himself a feed flinger in a
filthy farmyard. Fairly famished, he fain would have
filled his frame with foraged food from the fodder
fragments.

"Fooey, my father's flunkies fare far fancier," the
frazzled fugitive fumed feverishly, frankly facing
facts.

Frustrated by failure and filled with foreboding, he
fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father's
feet, he floundered forlornly, "Father, I have flunked
and fruitlessly forfeited family favor."

But the faithful father, forestalling further
flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch
forth the finest fatling and fix a feast.

The fugitive's fraternal faultfinder frowned on the
fickle forgiveness of former folderol. His fury
flashed, but fussing was futile.

The farsighted father figured, "Such filial fidelity
is fine, but what forbids fervent festivity for the
fugitive is found. Unfurl the flags with flaring, let
fun and frolic freely flow. Former failure is
forgotten, folly forsaken. Forgiveness forms the
foundation for future fortune."

Sistine Chapel Link

Very amazing.

http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

U.S. Capitol Tour with David Barton

Work of Shepherds

Holy Spirit Elders: God's Way to a Dynamic Church
I have heard that Harold Taylor's book on "Holy Spirit Elders" God's Way to a Dynamic Church, is a good book. What other books or resources would you recommend supplementing the Bible?

Also, They Smell Like Sheep.

Walking The Narrow Road

Book written on conversion to Christ call, "Walking The Narrow Road." by Kathleen Cobb

Rough Landing

An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy, which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, give a smile, and a "Thanks for flying XYZ airline." He said that in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment, but no one seemed annoyed. Finally everyone had gotten off except for one little old lady walking with a cane. She approached and asked, conspiratorially, "Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?" "Why no Ma'am, what is it?" "Did we land or were we shot down?"

Gaius and Diotrephes

Gaius and Diotrephes belong to the same church (3 John). But that is about all they have in common. They do not possess the same spirit, nor do they exemplify the same truth before the world.

The egotist feels if he hadn't been born, the world would wonder why. Diotrephes felt this way. He believed that "for me to live is to make myself important."

Gaius is more than esteemed. He is truly loved, and loved for the truth's sake. Gais and Demetrius were men who followed Jesus in expressions of love, which were shown in tangible service. Gaius is a man who is spiritually healthy. John's prayer is that he might enjoy the same degree of bodily health that his soul enjoys. The triumph of his soul in great principles is so large that it far overshadows his physical well being. Happy is the man of whom this can be said. Gaius was among those who rendered service to the brethren, especially strangers. He helped by supporting those in God's work, and thus became a fellow worker in the truth. His life was true, and he followed the truth. Thus John writes, "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth."

Diotrephes is a bird of a different feather. Above everything else Diotrephes likes to put himself first. He is so bold that he will not even acknowledge the authority of the apostle John. John says that he is "prating against me with evil words." Who then is safe from the strife of tongues? If reviling is the one talent you have, then I suggest you bury it. Yes, there are church members like Diotrephes today -- there always has been a likely will always be. They give Christianity a bad name. Remember there are also Christians like Gaius ans Demetrius.

One should not imagine that he is a person of influence simply because he has the power of destruction. If power it be, it is the lowest power. Hindering good movements and abusing good men is nothing to take pride in.

Every man has it within his power to be a Gaius or a Diotrephes. "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen God" (3 John 11).

Unity

Unity

http://highlandcoc.podomatic.com/entry/2010-07-22T21_09_22-07_00

The Divided Church

https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2022/october/divided-church.html

Book of Titus Research

French

France is the fourth leading economic power in the world, and French is the second most spoken language in the world.  However:

19% of France call themselves atheists.

Only 16% of France believe that there is one true religion.

France is called "the graveyard for missionaries."

World-Renowned Harvard-Trained Eye Surgeon Comes to Faith

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/85Glqq_JRSQ?feature=share

Pencil Lessons

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :

1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK..

2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.

4.) IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PERSON.

5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.


We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities.  Only you can fulfill the purpose for which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you.

Does God Exist?

A man went to a barber shop to have his hair and his beard cut as always. He started to have a good conversation with the barber who attended him.

They talked about so many things and various subjects. Suddenly, they touched the subject of God.

The barber said: "Look man, I don't believe that God exists as you say."

"Why do you say that?" asked the client.

"Well, it's so easy, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God does not exist. Oh, tell me, if God existed, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be no suffering nor pain. I can't think of loving a God who permits all of these things."

The client stopped for a moment thinking, but he didn't want to respond so as to cause an argument. The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barber shop he saw a man in the street with a long hair and beard (it seems that it had been a long time since he had his cut and he looked so untidy).

Then the client again entered the barber shop and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How con you say they don't exist?" asked the barber. "Well I am here and I am a barber."

"No!" the client exclaimed. "They don't exist because if they did there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks in the street."

"Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the client. "That's the point. God does exist, what happens is people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Author Unknown

You think about it!

Kevin Rayner

WHY ARE THERE FOUR DIFFERENT GOSPELS?

"John's gospel is designed to bring you to your knees in wonder, love, and praise.

Luke's is meant to make you sit up and think hard about Jesus as Lord of the whole world.

Matthew's is like a beautifully bound book which the Christian must study and ponder at leisure, steadily reordering one's life in the process.

Mark's is like a hastily printed revolutionary tract, stuffed into a back pocket, and frequently pulled out, read by torchlight, and whispered to one's co-conspirators.

You need all four.  You never know when you are going to have to call on them."

(N. T. Wright, The Original Jesus).

Gospel Meeting 2010 Lessons with Trey Morgan

Passion for Christ Series-

Other messages of the series and previous years at

http://highlandgospelmeetings.podomatic.com/

Hope you enjoy these and share with your friends.

Kevin Rayner
Tecumseh, OK
Highland Church of Christ

Bible

Now this is the Living Bible:

His name is Bill.. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant.. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair.. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him.. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says,  'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember.  What you have just seen, you  will never forget.'

'Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!'

Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

Meaning of Flag Draped Coffin

 

All Americans should be given this lesson. Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought. Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation's history. Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our 'GOD GIVEN' rights and freedoms.

I hope you take the time to read this ... To understand what the flag draped coffin really means ... Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776? 

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! 

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world. 

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.' 

The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. 

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded. 

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, 'In God We Trust.' 

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today. 

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why. 

Share this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of ' Liberty and Freedom.'

MAYBE THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

Patrick Henry Hughes

3 Bullets

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it.

The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.

The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild 'Tom' turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, 'Pray first, aim high and stay focused.'

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill.

He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brough t the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, 'I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused?'

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer.

The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it.

And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.



Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.

Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, the past ..

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.

Acappella Hymns

If you love acappella music, you should take a look at

Acappella Hymns
at
AcappellaHymns.com

Rudy Ruettiger

This story is a classic. You must love a sports story like this.

Illustration - Rudy Ruettiger

Parable's podcast of resources for preaching

Sheep Thief

Illustration - Sheep Thief

Parable's podcast of resources for preaching

Real vs. artificial

We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.

New Audio Messages

ReBaptism

Baptism is a significant issue in the God's plan as revealed in the Bible. People have researched and discussed this vital topic for centuries. In the restoration movement that have been thought provoking things written in an effort to come to a better understanding. Recently I cam across some article that calls for some consideration.

James A. Harding & the "Design" of Baptism

J. W. McGarvey: What is Valid Baptism?

Rebaptism Reviewed ... David Lipscomb

Alexander Campbell, Rebaptism & Sectarianism

Re-Baptism: Where Does the Slippery Slope End?

David Lipscomb, Proper Translation & Rebaptism

For more articles on baptism, click on this link

Hopefully we can all come to realize the proper place of immersion into Christ and its place in God's plan.

Teens and Internet

MINISTRY QUESTION:  In an earlier posting we received the following question:

I am seeking some resources to help with a problem we are experiencing with our teens and the internet, specifically with things like Facebook and the like. It would seem some may have posted inappropriate images and commentary. Our elders are concerned that this may be part of a larger problem relating to the general coarseness of young people coming from the influence of school specifically and culture generally. We are looking for some resources or suggestions concerning a addressing the parents, children and the congregation generally. Gary Selby (Raleigh, North Carolina)

Here are the responses we have received so far:

Joe Chase, Missionary to Jamaica, Denton, Texas:

Beth Robertson has some really good materials out regarding safeguarding children.  Some of the stuff she has written will scare you to death.  You can download a good bit of her presentation from the Preston Road church of Christ web site.The Web links for Beth's presentation are:
http://www.prestonroad.org/images/stories/Sermons/part1.mp3
http://www.prestonroad.org/images/stories/Sermons/part2.mp3

I believe every eldership ought to give this a listen and order the materials she has put together from her research.  No child will be safe until we are all proactive in making them safe.

Vic Pruett, White House, Tennessee:

I found that Dr. David Fraze ( David.Fraze@rhchurch.org ) is a great resource on adolescents & culture.  He is our best (C of C) person when it come to answering questions and giving advice on how to navigate things such as face book, my space, youtube, texting, and all things postmodern.  Just don’t tell him I said that.

I actually have a face book account and it allows me to interact with young people in a very unique way.  Teens are all about dialogue, for some reason they can share so much of themselves (their passion, faith, sin, fear, struggles, etc) on the internet (facebook, myspace) and yet be closed mouthed in Sunday morning Bible class.  They will talk to me on facebook about very deep issues and yet be closed to the idea of talking to me at my office or at McDonald’s over a coke.  I’m not saying this is a good thing, but it is an opportunity to reach our teens.  We can take Jesus into this post modern marketplace (of face book, myspace, youtube)  and find out what they are really up to (which is scary).  Young people are open to this new form of dialogue, we should take advantage of it. 

One more thing.  I am always outing kids to their parents about improper behavior (I’m not breaking any confidentiality rules since they are talking about it publically on these internet postings).  You don’t have to spend a lot of time on face book to do all of this (I spend no more than 5 min a day on that stuff).

Also  I remind parents to check their children’s accounts, I do this from the pulpit every now and then.  I don’t know if any of this was helpful, thanks for listening.

James Guy, University church, Monroe, Louisiana:

Like most things, the internet can be used for good or bad.  Our youth group and college group both use Facebook as probably THE primary source of sharing information, inviting friends to events, communicating with one another (next to text messaging), etc.  It has helped our kids be more “connected” (in modern terms) throughout the week when they probably wouldn’t see or speak to each other otherwise.  The good thing about Facebook and Myspace is that friends can see what other friends have on there. 

My wife and I both have Facebooks and are our kids friends, and we also require our kids to provide us with their logins and passwords, and we check them ever so often to see what is on there. We also see what some of their school friends have on there, and have had them remove 1 or 2 from their friends list because of things that were on their space.  I think that is how it should be dealt with.  Encourage parents to check up on their kids (that’s still legal in most states), and if you see one of your church kids with something on there that shouldn’t be, I would suggest dealing with it with them directly and with their parents as appropriate. 

I would also add that the internet allows for more open viewing of the “general coarseness” of what your kids are probably doing and saying at school or with friends when you don’t hear and see them.  In that respect it is a plus.  The main thing I think is to be aware of what your kids (and perhaps church kids) have on their, and encourage and teach their parents to do the same.  Facebook and Myspace are not that hard to use for that purpose even if you are not so computer literate.      www.universitycc.net

Kent Jobe, College Avenue, El Dorado, Arkansas:

In regard to Mr. Selby's request, I would suggest www.syncswim.com   This is a seminar presented by the Church and Family organization through Harding. 
 
Although I have not personally participated in the seminar, it comes very highly recommended and I know they have put in a lot of time and effort in their presentation.  I also know that they are really trying to keep their presentations current and relevant. 
 

Brandon Tittle, Assistant Director,  Church & Family, Harding University:

I was forwarded an email you sent with questions from various ministers. Our office, The Institute for Church & Family, has an experience that might help Gary Selby. It is called SyncSwim, and it is designed to help parents, teachers, grandparents, etc. understand youth culture and how to help teens "swim."
Feel free to send him my contact information:  501-279-4660       www.churchandfamily.net

Youth Minister Friends

I have a few friends who are good youth ministers that are looking for youth ministry jobs. They are all coming to it from different perspectives and situations, but if you know of someone who is looking, please let me know.

Kevin Rayner
Highland Church of Christ
Tecumseh, OK
otchurch@hotmail.com

THE HEART OF THE LORD’S PRAYER

THE HEART OF THE LORD’S PRAYER

Hallowed be Thy name....The PRAISE of God
Thy kingdom come....The PURPOSE of God
Thy will be done....The PLAN of God
Give us bread....The PROVISION of God
Forgive us our debts....The PARDON of God
Lead us not into temptation....The POWER of God
Deliver us from the evil one....The PROTECTION of God

--Elmer L. Towns

Love Letters

"Love Letters in the White House"

Did you know that former President Harry Truman was a dyed-in-the-wool romantic? He pursued his wife, Bess, for many years before she agreed to marry him. He first asked her in 1911 and they were finally married in 1919. But once he married her, Mr. Truman continued to romance his wife. When he was away from her, he wrote love letters. And when Bess Truman died in the early 1980s, more than 1,200 letters from her husband were discovered in her home. Harry never stopped courting Bess.

—Rick Atchley

The Trouble Tree

Great Link

The Trouble Tree.

or
http://www.thetroubletreemovie.com/

Kevin
My Podcast
http://raynerresources.mypodcast.com/

Wolf

The Wolf

Radio personality Paul Harvey tells the story of how an Eskimo kills a wolf. The account is grisly, yet it offers fresh insight into the consuming, self-destructive nature of sin.

"First, the Eskimo coats his knife blade with animal blood and allows it to freeze. Then he adds another layer of blood, and another, until the blade is completely concealed by frozen blood.

"Next, the hunter fixes his knife in the ground with the blade up. When a wolf follows his sensitive nose to the source of the scent and discovers the bait, he licks it, tasting the fresh frozen blood. He begins to lick faster, more and more vigorously, lapping the blade until the keen edge is bare. Feverishly now, harder and harder the wolf licks the blade in the arctic night.

So great becomes his craving for blood that the wolf does not notice the razor-sharp sting of the naked blade on his own tongue, nor does he recognize the instant at which his insatiable thirst is being satisfied by his OWN warm blood. His carnivorous appetite just craves more--until the dawn finds him dead in the snow!"

It is a fearful thing that people can be "consumed by their own lusts." Only God's grace keeps us from the wolf's fate.

Failure & Success Illustrations

How To Get a Return On Failure | MWM

https://youtu.be/IUSnN5KYWHY

"I Have Failed"

Jul 14, 2025

https://youtu.be/9-ae2mSBn5w

Scars of His Love

"SCARS OF HIS LOVE"

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house was looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.

It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.

The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.

His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs.

And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mommy wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.

But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.

In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. If you have Christ in your life, you have become a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-o-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful.

He did not - and will not - let you go. Time is a very precious gift of God; so precious that it's only given to us moment by moment.

Think about it warmly,
Kevin Rayner
2/14/2001

Jesus Came for a Visit

Suzan went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Dear Suzan,
I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon, and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Suzan remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk, leaving Suzan with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Suzan had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it." Suzan looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight, and I was planning on serving that to Him." "Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Suzan felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Suzan could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Suzan unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street, without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!" Suzan was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit, and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Suzan,

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Suzan no longer noticed.

Think about it warmly,
Kevin Rayner
1/4/2001

Grace of God

The story is told of a patient in a mental ward who attended chapel services with the other patients in the ward. The chaplain who spoke was so confusing that one of the patients going out was heard to say, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

You think about it warmly,
Kevin Rayner
12/21/2000

How to Build a Non-Judgmental Christian Community

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-build-non-judgmental-christian-community-tom-sims-ugihc/

Phillips 66

I grew up in Oklahoma in a city on Hwy 66 where Phillips 66 has a major influence. Here in Minnesota they are not very strong compared to Oklahoma. Did you ever ask where they got their name?

Most companies want to have a catchy name and a trademark people will notice. However, some trademarks come about in strange ways. Take Phillips 66, for example. Over the years, Phillips Petroleum has been deluged with inquiries about its choice of "66." Some believed that one of the company’s founders was sixty-six years old (he was really forty-four). Another fable alleges that co-founders Frank and L. E. Phillips had just $66 in their pockets when they first struck oil. One lady even protested that the "66" referred to the number of books in the Bible, which in her opinion was "bad taste commercialism."

With all of the erroneous stories floating around, surely there must be a logical reason the company chose "66." The truth is that Phillips was seeking a trademark for its first gasoline, which was to go on sale November 19, 1927. Like all businesses, the company wanted something catchy and descriptive, something that would arouse curiosity. Some of the scientists suggested "66" because that was the specific gravity of the new fuel. However, this was rejected since future gasolines might have different specific gravities. Then someone mentioned that Phillips’ first refinery was located on Highway 66. But that seemed to limit the gasoline to a regional area. On the evening of the meeting to select a trademark, a Phillips official hurrying to arrive on time exclaimed to the driver of his speeding vehicle, "This car goes like sixty on our new gas!" "Sixty, nothing," answered the driver, "we’re doing sixty-six!" "Where did this happen?" he was asked at the meeting. "On Highway 66." That settled it. The trademark became "Phillips 66."

If you’re looking for a catchy phrase, see what catches on. J. R. Lowell said, "Attention is the stuff that memory is made of, and memory is accumulated genius."

Hopefully when people come in contact with churches, they will go away with remembering Jesus.

You think about it!

Warmly,
Kevin Rayner
October 20, 2000

Christian Home Valuable

Two baby boys born in 1889 were to change our world. One was born in Austria to an abusive father and an indifferent mother who handed the child over to an aunt to raise after her husband's death.

The sixteen-year-old dropped out of school, drifted from job to job, joined the military, and was imprisoned for leading an attempted insurrection. He became a political activist.

The other little boy born in 1889 was born to a simple Texas family. "God fearing" folks who moved the child to a Kansas farm. The boy was taught prayer and Bible reading. Christian influences surrounded him. The boy grew strong, went to West Point, then on to a career in the military.

On June 6, 1944, the world watched these two do combat on the field of battle. For eleven months, Adolf Hitler's Third Reich battled the forces of Dwight David Eisenhower, commander of the Allied Invasion Force. On April 30, 1945, Hitler died by his own hand in the rubble of Berlin - much of the world cheered. Twenty-four years later Eisenhower died, the world mourned.

A Christian home can impact the destiny of an entire world, can't it?

"Being a Christian"

https://youtu.be/deE9ebnYZsE