TimSpivey.com

Global Missions

Wednesday night begins the Global Missions Workshop. At the Arlington Convention Center, it will be Missionspalooza for the Churches of Christ.

It'll be a great honor to share the pulpit with my friends Gordon Dabbs, Don McLaughlin, Monte Cox, and a panel of missionaries from all over the globe. I can't think of a better way to spend a few days than hearing about what God has done and is doing in far away places.

Global Missions has fallen on hard times lately as American churches have realized that Christian America is a thing of the past and look toward domestic church planting. Those of you who know me know how passionate I am about church-planting in the United States and abroad. Nevertheless, global missions has always been the way the church has imagined God's activity in the world beyond themselves and their city. This is a blessing.

Before I die, I would love to plant a church, and serve as a long-term missionary abroad. I think those are amazing ways to serve Christ. To all the missionaries, and to all the "missions folks" that help keep global evangelism in the church's view...thank you.

Here are a few ways to get involved.

1. Support a church plant you are aware of. If you need help, check out the web sites of Kairos, Missions Alive, Nexus, Stadia, and other church-planting organizations.
2. Take a short-term missions trip during the summer. Log on to LST.org if your church doesn't have organized trips in the summer
3. Serve on the missions team at your church. Contact the missions team leader or an elder at your local church.
4. Put your church's missionaries pictures on your refrigerator. If you have to...steal the one in the church lobby. (just kidding).
5. Come to the Global Missions Conference. Dallas will be waiting for you with three digit weather...but it's cool inside!

How much?

I don't even know what to say here...so I'll just reprint the story. Only in Australia...and the comment by the magistrate at the end is priceless.

SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian man convicted of his seventh drink-driving charge was spending about A$1,000 ($972) a week on beer -- enough to buy more than 2,500 small bottles a month, a newspaper said Tuesday.

The heartbroken construction worker began drowning his sorrows after breaking up with his partner five years ago, the Northern Territory News said, quoting his defense lawyer as telling a court in Australia's remote, tropical north.

The magistrate declined to jail the father of four, Michael Leary, noting he had quit drinking since his latest arrest, but he banned Leary from buying or even holding a beer for 12 months.

The magistrate also poked fun at Leary's favorite beer, Melbourne Bitter, in a part of the country where drinkers can be as loyal to beer brands as they are to football teams.

''(That is) poor judgment on two counts there -- drinking that much and drinking Melbourne Bitter,'' magistrate Vince Luppino was quoted as saying.

The Offer

I just read a pretty interesting approach that one business is taking to separate the wheat from the chaff as they hire. One week into training, they offer the employees 1000 dollars to quit. If they take it, they know the people aren't the kind of people they want...not committed enough.

Gotta read this... Click Here.

Makes you wonder if churches were able to do the same with members, elders, or staff, who would be left? I suppose it depends on the church.

The Josh

One must be the best of the best...the men of men...to be described as, "The ..." From last night forward, Josh Hamilton has earned the right to be called, "The Josh."

I've watched baseball all my life, and last night's performance by Josh Hamilton was as good a performance as I've seen. 28 HOME RUNS IN ONE ROUND OF THE DERBY? They also averaged 445 feet in length...meaning, these weren't barely out...these were screaming out of there. Several topped the 500-ft. mark.

Not bad for a guy whose drug problems and injuries landed him on the junk heap of baseball. Now, he's a Christian, and the best hitter in the game (sorry A-Rod fans). Here's to the Josh. Praise be to the Lord for rescuing him, as well.

It makes me wonder how many other potential Josh Hamiltons there have been, and how many others with enormous potential are buried under drugs, teen-age pregnancy, etc.

I hope they watched last night.

I hope they find God. Not so it will make them a better hitter, but because He will give them life to the full. Thanks, Josh, for a great night of baseball, and for a great life lesson.

Scrapbook

It took me till this morning to sit down and open up the scrapbook that the sweet people of Highland Oaks gave us as we head into a new chapter of ministry. I guess I thought it would be too sad. But this morning, I was up for it...and I'm so glad. What a great benediction the church blessed us with through that collage of pictures and words. Leaders are often reluctant to let anyone know they feel anything. But, the church leader who can do ministry completely feelingless cannot be a leader. This doesn't mean that he or she needs to be Chris Crocker either...crying all the time...or that they must allow their emotions to dictate how they lead. But, I also think that when I can lead without feelings for the people or the pulpit...it's time to quit. Lord give me and all of your servants compassionate and courageous hearts that mourn and rejoice over the right things...and never lose our passion for who and what you are about.

Sea Salt Caramel

Last night, Em and I went out to dinner with some friends of ours who are in the process of opening a Paciugo gelato store in the Lakewood area of Dallas. As they prepare to open the store, they are selling gelato during intermission of Shakespeare in the Park productions.

As far as ice cream goes, I tend to have a bias toward the fruit-flavors, or flavors that taste like other desserts I like. Cake batter--for instance. So, when we got there, I went with the wedding cake flavor. However, I did sample something phenomenal--Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel.

I will admit at first I wondered if that we a good mix--salt and sweet...hmmm... Sweet and sour? Maybe. Sweet and salty? I don't know. But, being the great man of courage that I am, I sampled it...

Let me tell you something...loved it. LOVED IT!!!

If you get a chance...grab a lawn chair, and head down to Shakespeare in the park. At intermission, go to the Paciugo stand at intermission...get some Sea Salt Caramel. You can thank me later.

I've had a lot of people asking me if we've taken a ministry anywhere yet. The answer is, "no," though we are getting much, much closer. We should have something finalized by July's end. Keep praying.