Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
January 2008 Top 5
The 5 most viewed blog posts on this site for the month of January 2008 are:
New Photo Portfolio
History At The Click Of A Mouse
Greatly Valued
Civil rights leader's niece taking on abortion
How To Dress Modestly
NOTE: These stats do not include views by those that came directly to this site through means other than the RSS Feed.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Dare To Be Different
READ: 2 Corinthians 5:12-21
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ. —2 Corinthians 5:20
Since my dad was a pastor, I got stuck with the label known to every pastor’s kid: PK. But, much to the congregation’s disappointment, the title didn’t stop me from being my mischievous little self. I can’t count the times I heard, “Little Joe, you’re the pastor’s son. You should be an example.” But I didn’t want to be an example! I was only 5 and wanted to have fun with my friends!
Let’s face it, being an example is often about being different. But most of us don’t want to be different. We want people to like us, and the safest way to do that is to blend in. But following Christ has never been about blending in. Following Him means to be like Him, to respond to life and relate to people as He did. It’s a little risky and uncomfortable to be different. But that’s what being an “ambassador for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20) is all about—bringing the wonderful difference of your King to bear on the territory you’ve been assigned: your home, your office, your friendships. Representing the King is not just our calling; it’s a great honor.
In retrospect, I can see how my antics as a PK reflected poorly on my dad. It’s motivating to remember that our non-Jesus attitudes and actions also reflect poorly on our King.
Make a difference by daring to be different!
Show me the way, Lord, let my light shine
As an example of good to mankind;
Help them to see the patterns of Thee,
Shining in beauty, lived out in me. —Neuer
Dare to be different—for the Father’s sake.
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Christian Life > Character > ChristlikenessThursday, January 31, 2008
Agape Banquet Scheduled
I will be the guest speaker during the Agape Banquet at River City Family Church in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, February 10, 2008. The banquet begins at 5pm. For more information call Pastor James Gipson at (904) 786-6800. The church is located at 6800 W. 5th Street in Jacksonville, Florida. Please be in prayer for this event.
For up-to-date information on my preaching schedule visit the schedule page of my ministry website. If you would like to receive schedule information via e-mail follow this link: Subscribe to James Croft Ministry Opportunities by Email.
GodTube Enters Presidential Race
GodTube.com, the Christian answer to the popular YouTube phenomenon, announced Monday its intention to begin election polling for the 2008 presidential race.
The website, which takes on the motto “Broadcast Him,” was founded last spring and claims to draw over 250,000 registered Christian users and millions of unique visitors every month.
“Our Christian user base is very vocal and active in the election,” commented Chris Wyatt, founder and CEO, in a statement. “We look forward to having the leading candidates participate in this interactive community by engaging our users online with video commentary and live town hall style chats."
Read more of this story on The Christian Post.
ESPN Host Returns to Airwaves after Anti-Jesus Tirade
ESPN host Dana Jacobson went back on the air Monday, beginning her TV show with an on-air apology for her recent anti-Jesus remarks.
"I want to once again say how truly sorry I am for my poor choices and bad judgment that night. I have taken responsibility for what I did say and do and realize why it was wrong," Jacobson said.
Read more of this story on The Christian Post.
NOTE: Share your thoughts on this story by clicking "comments" below.
Christianity vs. Jesusanity - The Postmodern Temptation
The most hard-core forms of postmodern thought are generally limited to academic campuses, but the postmodern worldview is trickling down in various forms to the popular level. While postmodern literary theorists debate the meaning of "totalizing metanarratives," at the level of popular piety we see the widespread substitution of "spirituality" for biblical Christianity.
In this sense, spirituality is a project centered in the self and constantly negotiable - more about "meaning" than truth. Where does Jesus Christ fit in all this? Darrell L. Bock and Daniel B. Wallace argue that popular culture is on a quest "to unseat the biblical Christ." They make their case in Dethroning Jesus [Thomas Nelson]..
As Bock and Wallace explain, classical biblical Christianity is being replaced by "Jesusanity." In their words:
Read more of this story on The Christian Post.
Minister Mentor
READ: Exodus 18:13-24
Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. —Exodus 18:24
In 1959, when Lee Kuan Yew assumed the position of Prime Minister of Singapore, his leadership began a long process of national transformation. Initially, disagreements between ethnic groups and a weak economic base made the future of this tiny nation uncertain. By 1990, when Lee stepped down from his position, Singapore had become a model country for ethnic harmony and a thriving economy. After serving as Senior Minister, Lee became Minister Mentor in 2004. Since then he has been an invaluable resource to Singapore’s cabinet and to other leaders around the world.
Insights from the older generation can greatly benefit the younger generation. Although Moses had been used by God to perform miracles and deliver Israel out of bondage in Egypt, he still listened to the advice of his father-in-law Jethro (Ex. 18:24). Jethro had watched his son-in-law care for the concerns of the people and observed: “Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you” (v.18). Moses followed Jethro’s advice to select, train, and delegate others to share the workload (vv.22-24).
Whom has God placed in your life to advise you as a “minister mentor”?
Following Through
What are your weakest character traits?
Do you know a fellow believer who is strong in these areas?
Could that person become your spiritual mentor?
Those who are mature in the faith can help others to mature in their faith.
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Ministry and Outreach > Serving > Making Time ForOregon Boy Parks Bike at Goodwill Store, Which Sells It for $6.99
SALEM, Ore. — Cody Young parked his bike in the wrong place at the Goodwill store, where the rule is that anything on the floor goes.
He didn't have a lock, but friends said they had parked inside the store before. On Sunday, though, the black BMX bike was sold.
But the 13-year-old is going to get his bike back, Goodwill officials said, after the buyer saw a newspaper story about the mix-up and called to make things right.
Read more of this story on FOX News.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Cowboy Church In February
I have another unique preaching opportunity coming on February 12, 2008. I'll be preaching at the Circle J Cowboy Church in Palatka, Florida. It is a unique setting, meeting at the Palatka Horsemen's Club. This is a new church plant by the Florida Baptist Convention. I met this church's "planter", Carl Christiansen, in November of last year at the annual Florida Baptist Convention held in Daytona Beach, Florida. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity and I hope you will join me in prayer about this service and for the new church.
Circle J Cowboy Church is located at 181 Horsemen Club Road in Palatka, Florida. For more information call Pastor Carl Christiansen at (386) 546-1943.
(Click image to enlarge)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
YouTube Channel Videos
Here's the latest videos added to our YouTube Channel.
 Added: 5 days ago Views: 44 |  Added: 1 week ago Views: 53 |  Added: 2 weeks ago Views: 87 |
 Added: 1 month ago Views: 161 |  Added: 1 month ago Views: 103 |  Added: 1 month ago Views: 103 |
 Added: 1 month ago Views: 290 |  Added: 2 months ago Views: 174 |  Added: 2 months ago Views: 562 |
| See All 36 Videos | ||
Monday, January 28, 2008
Blog Poll #25 Results
The Blog Poll #25 question was, "Do you believe the U.S. should have a constitutional amendment that defines life at conception?" and the results are:
- Yes, God's Word says that's when life begins 18 (94%)
- Yes, but not because of any religious convictions 0 (0%)
- No, the Supreme Court should overturn Roe v. Wade and let the states decide 0 (0%)
- No, there is no proof to support it 1 (5%)
- No, Roe v. Wade has settled the issue 0 (0%)
- I'm not sure 0 (0%)
Here are the results of Blog Poll #24.
Armed And Extremely Effective
READ: Ephesians 6:10-18
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual hosts of wickedness. —Ephesians 6:12
Last January, the police officers in Tijuana, Mexico, had their guns confiscated. It was suspected that some of them had been in collusion with drug traffickers. At first, fearing for their safety, the police stopped patrolling. But eventually, some of them returned to work—carrying slingshots. Three weeks passed before their more effective weapons were returned to them.
Although we all remember a shepherd boy who used a sling and a single smooth stone with great success in his encounter with a giant (1 Sam. 17), few of us would have the courage to face violent threats armed with such puny protection. But every day, although we are often ill-prepared, we do face a threat. As believers, we fight against an enemy we cannot see. Our struggle is not “against flesh and blood, but against . . . spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Eph. 6:12). The outcome of this battle is sure, however. Jesus is the Victor. And using the armor and weapons He supplies, we are able “to stand” (v.13). We fight in His power and strength.
Each day we must put on the armor of God—the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word (vv.13-17). Preparation and protection are the key to winning spiritual battles.
Though fierce the hatred of our foe
Whose legions seek to work us woe,
He can’t destroy the Living Word
Nor those who own Him as their Lord. —D. De Haan
Spiritual victory comes only to those who are prepared for battle.
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Basics Of Faith > Spirit World > Spiritual Warfare
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Speech Preparation
"If I am to speak for ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, I am ready now."
Woodrow Wilson
quoted by Josephus Daniels in The Wilson Era.
NOTE: I think this holds true for me and a lot of other preachers too. 8-)
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