Nine or One

This is my first graduating class here in Indiana. I've been here long enough to see this year's grads go from jr. high all the way through to high school, and I can't help but ask myself, "Did I do my job?" They are all going their separate ways--college, military, jobs--but will they be part of the 9 or the 1. Statistics show that 9 out of 10 high school students graduate from God when they graduate from high school.

I can't help but feel that I haven't done all I could to prepare them. I should have spent more time with them, invested in them, and taught them more. Ultimately the choice is there's. That sounds like a cop out but it isn't. I can't want something for them more than they want it for themselves.

God, guide them, keep them, use them.

ST

What Jesus Didn't Teach

As a church, Hope's Point has been focusing on reaching others for Christ. We've focused our talks, sermons, small groups, and even our website around being "salt and light." So today I was catching up on some blogs and came across this (read the entire post here):

When Jesus began calling the first disciples into ministry, he used this phrase:

“Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

For whatever reason, I started thinking about what Jesus didn’t say to those first disciples.

He didn’t say: “Come, follow me, and I will teach you spiritual insights!”

He didn’t say: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to worship together!”

He didn’t say: “Come, follow me, and I will gather you together in a home group!”

He didn’t say: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to pray!”

He didn’t say: “Come, follow me, and I will make you members of the church!”

Gave me a new perspective on what our mission and focus should be. Thanks, Tony.

ST