in Matthew 10:22, And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. To reiman faithful is essential. Paul said of Demas in 2 Timothy 4:10, for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica The most difficult thing to do is reiman faithful to Christ. It WILL take sacrifice. Will you make the sacrifice and forsake worldly things? Luke 14:33, So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Congrats to you both! Your list made me smile, I'm glad you get to experience the "joys" of married life. And Danielle is perfect for you. ;-)

Hey friend! I think you do amzaing work with people and your love for others if evident. :)I know two Pastors who seriously almost worked themselves to death. In the hospital hooked up to everything because their bodies were failing them. I think that learning balance is so key.So yes, part of it is knowing when to say no. And you have to say no when it is best for you whether the other person wants to hear it or not. I would say that saying no along with seeking God on how much of your time he wants you to give to others will def help. Then you can prioritize how to best use those hours to meet the needs of others. And the things that you can not fit in you can perhaps delegate to others. Mike and I are currently looking at our life and our time and how we use it. We are making hard decisions on the things that we need to step back from so that we can move in different directions. I would love to do it all but my family comes first. Someday I will have time for more but now is not that time. Anyways I think you are one of the most giving Christians that I have ever met! You are awesome!

I hate soup too! In fact, I wrote a 915 word essay about my hatred for it. Right on!

or even just interruptions from kids in general (and even pets).

Heh - Cooper!

The other main point stressed by the mega-pastor was the quality control of teaching/teachers, but I think that issue exists in on-campus classes too.

And the answer isn't to limit the number of teachers, but to shepherd and mentor up and coming teachers and find them places to serve. My opinion . . .

Bill, I think the main challenge I kept hearing was childcare or even just interruptions from kids in general (and even pets).

I couldn't speak from experience there, because we don't have kids in our HomeGroup but I know other churches/groups have found ways to deal with those issues.

The other main point stressed by the mega-pastor was the quality control of teaching/teachers, but I think that issue exists in on-campus classes too.

hey emily!

it's actually believed that the prophet isaiah wrote psalm 46. but it is cool to make those connections when we can, like we did a few weeks ago with david's psalms and what was happening to him at the time. we get a really cool look into his perspective, sometimes!

cool, thanks a lot! congrats on your engagement BTW

oh, and I was wondering what you think adults should do with information like, "they weren't given a specific reason for staying in the church." and "people are able to fulfill those emotional/social needs outside of church and no longer see a need to go" you said at the end, doctrinal clarity, all-ages gospel transformation, and community are what, "by the power of the Holy Spirit," keep people, and teens specifically, plugged in. Does it get more specific than that or are those principles just applied differently by location/situation/city?

"complete and final reconciliation will only come through Christ". Yep.

I like what you say here! It's easy to forget that God is STILL moving, and greater things than these are going to be done! Hallelujiah! We do not worship a dead God. We worship a living and active God!

It's good to be reminded :) GG!

congratulations jeremy being married under God is where it's at, God really does give you a little bit of supernatural assistance in dealing with life's trials. Just remember, before the ephesians "wives be submissive to your husband" is the even more important "husbands, you must give your bodies like christ gave his for the church!"

thanks for sharing :) glad to be back with, kaitlyn and kevo

It sounds so awesome. So happy for you guys.

Man, awesome story! I'm so pumped for y'all!! I love all those little thoughtful details that went in to how you pulled it off.

Good word bro.

FAINTING GOATS!!!! :)

that was a good team.

Enjoyed the small (relative to the 20) amount of times I've had to serve with you and also be a student. Keep the streak going bro. Goonies never say die.

Fuzzzzzy wuzzzzzy! YES! Best camp team ever.

interesting, in 2006 when i'd make posts like this http://lovethelogos.livejournal.com/20730.html you quelled questions and answers, you pushed me into conformity. when i dropped out of highschool to study at l'abri years later, you chastized me and you and Chris (overseers as you were, given the responsibility and duty to instruct me in teachings and love of the lord) totally rejected me (moved me from purple to some other less beautiful color on your wonderful concentric circle of 'church involvement').

Now 5 years later you are doing... what I was doing when I was 17 but you chastized me for? how am I supposed to respect you jeremy? do you think when I setup my ministry in austin I'll really want people like you teaching my kids?

Well said. Thanks for sharing. One thing I believe a lot of Christians forget is that fellowship is a natural byproduct that occurs when we gather for worship, prayer, Bible study, etc. But, like you said, that's not to say it's wrong to gather just for the sake of hanging out now and then.