Jun 4

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Never full success
    Success in faith sometimes isn't determined by tangile results while we are living. That's a hard one to swallow. Our carnal side wants to see results. It's why we are satisfied when we have something to "show" for the work. Hardly any of the hall of fame faith saw the full success God created through their fully trusting faith. God, help me to live in faith - not longing to see proof in my lifetime that my faith is worth something to me or others, because it alread… Read more »

May 20

May 14

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a link contribution How to plot a "Great Commission" evaluation map of your church
    http://verticalresonator.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-plot-on-map-where-people-live.html
    Ever wondered where people live who attend your church? Ever need to figure out who lives in your neighborhood and attends the same church? Maybe you could use the data to start a Bible study in your neighborhood. Or maybe use the map to find the unreached people groups in your city. Try plotting on a map where people live who come to your church. If you've got a tab delimited database - then head over to http://www.batchgeocode.com/ and let it go to town. Try it out for your church. Yo… Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Prisoner to traditions
    What traditions do we have today that we are prisoners to? - Christmas rush? - Easter egg hunts? *But we've always done it this way - how could we stop this tradition? It's tradition. Traditions are good and serve great purposes, as long as they don't take us captive. What philosophies tends to pull at the truth in God's Word? - There is no absolute truth? - You were an ape once? * Come on, don't you have an open mind? Are you intolerant? It's a good idea… Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Fighting for other followers
    How often do I fight (struggle) for other followers? Am I concerned about their depth of knowledge? That it's accurate to what the Bible does/doesn't say? When is the last time I spent serious (I mean more than 5 minutes) praying for someone to stay firm in their walk? The author here takes great measures to make sure that a follower has every chance to grow in their faith with God. What great measures am I willing to take? Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution History is important
    In a world of innovation and forward thinking generations (like mine), it's important to not forget the past. History tells us how God has been faithful and demonstrates how He promises to be faithful today, and in the future. If I were to graph a history of my faithfulness, what would it look like? Read more »

May 12

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Both WHO and DEPTH of follower-ship matter
    According to the Great Commission - the measure of success is in both WHO is following (how many, people groups) and the DEPTH of the follower-ship (level of student, are they growing deeper). The Great Commission isn't successful without both of these elements. For example, if one person becomes a student follower of Jesus, but measures weren't taken to allow ten people to follow Jesus at the same depth level (success is lost). The opposite is true as well. Lot of people who follo… Read more »

May 11

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution What if you were cursed?
    What if the second half of Deuteronomy 28 was written about me? It's a stark contrast to the first fourteen verses that talk about how I'd be blessed if I were and Israelite and carefully followed God's commands. I guess the question is - how CAREFULLY do I follow God's commands today. And, do I do it out of fear for being slapped with God's wrath or because I sincerely motivated out of my love for God? Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Who's got your back?
    It's interesting that Moses wasn't the only one listed here to have commanded the Israelites to follow God. The elders chimed in to - Moses' leadership team. Who's got your back? Or do I think I can do all of God's work myself. Moses was a great delegater and he willingly allowed others to chime in on God's business. Read more »

May 9

May 7

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution How jealous am I when God works through someone else?
    incite = encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior) : the offense of inciting racial hatred. How do I respond when God chooses to work through someone else? Do I rejoice and thank God? Or do I act like the Jews who stirred up trouble for the areas that God was working in? How about if God sent someone to TBC that had incredible front-man skills to the worship bands? Would I step aside gladly and place them - or would I feel entitled to continue in my role. Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Extreme measures for extreme disobediance
    This would never be tolerated today - killing someone because they were excessive or an alcoholic. Today we say there is hope for anyone. In fact, we hold out or simply ignore their condition. In the OT, they took extreme measures for extreme disobedience. Yikes. Read more »

Jan 3

  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Why am I insulted?
    Question: Why does Bryan Nelson get insulted? When? How often? But most importantly - WHY am I being insulted or persecuted? Is it because of Christ - or because of myself or my decisions/actions? Read more »
  • bryannelson
    bryannelson added a text contribution Why am I insulted?
    Question: Why does Bryan Nelson get insulted? When? How often? But most importantly - WHY am I being insulted or persecuted? Is it because of Christ - or because of myself or my decisions/actions? Read more »