In the Bible Jesus says, “Go into all the world and make disciples. “(Matt:28:19)  To me, the theme of this verse is to make disciples.Â
If the goal is to make disciples then realistically should churches have short term missions trips? And if so, what do you think they should look like?
The reason I ask this is because Jesus says to make disciples. Â He does not tell us to go, get people saved and then leave. But instead to make disciples. Â Discipleship takes time, sometimes many years.Â
Typically, a short term missions trip is just that, short, usually a week or two. Â Is this enough time for one to disciple a person? Not in my experience.
I am not against missions trips, in fact I have been on my fair share of them and have enjoyed, and learned from, everyone of them.
I would love to hear what you think, so leave a comment!
Fresh out of Seattle, the newest band to hit the airwaves. Henrietta and Merna.
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Thanks to Brad
Even Santa can’t escape the global financial crisis.
I’m not sure about the rest of you, but I am tired about hearing the Big 3 automakers complain that they might be going bankrupt. Â Now I understand that there are thousands of jobs on the line, but who do they think they are asking begging for bailout money from the government. Â You don’t see Toyota or Honda going to the government begging for a bailout.
When are the Big 3 going to realize that people are looking for fuel efficient cars. Gone are the days of the big V8 and the 4 barrel carb. Â People want reliable cars that are good on fuel. Â For some odd reason Ford, GM and Chrysler can’t get this through their heads. Â
I find myself  laughing when I see ads on TV that say “we have 10 models with 33 MPG or more.”  In what world do they think that is an accomplishment. In 2000 I had a Honda Civic that got 44 MPG (in town), later I had a Jetta that got about the same mileage.  33MPG is nothing to brag about, when the Japanese have had better mileage than this for the better part of 10 years.
That being said if they get the bail out will anything change, I DOUBT IT!  Not to mention this starts a dangerous precedent. Who else gets a bail out? What about the small business who’s going out of business, does he/she get a bail out?
Why are the automakers any more important than the loggers in BC, or the fishermen in the Maritimes, or the small business person? None of which have ever gotten bail outs from the government.
Chapter 11 might be the best thing for these company’s. Â Then maybe something will change in the way they do business.
Don’t get me wrong I feel for all the people that could lose their jobs, at no fault of their own, but this problem has been a long time coming.
Just my thoughts!!!
I just heard about this charity Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls facilitates the donations of shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. They are trying to raise money to provide 50,000 pairs of shoes and they were trying to do it in 50 days.  At this point there are 17 days left and they only have 9440 pairs donated.
$5 dollars buys two pairs of shoes people in need.
Here are a few reasons why you’ll want to donate today…
And, the most important reason to give? Because it’s the right thing to do and a simple way you can make a difference in the lives of people in need. They’re nearing the end of this challenge and still have a ways to go to reach our goal.
What Can You Do?
1. Give
A $5 donation buys two pair of shoes. We can all give at least that much. Head over to 50000shoes.com and give generously and sacrificially.
2. Promote It On Your Blog
Why do you blog? Do you look at your blog as just a fun hobby or do you see it the way I see it – a platform to bring change and make a difference in the world? I don’t care if you have 150 readers or 5, you have been given influence. People have granted you the permission to speak into their lives. Use that influence to make a difference.
Would you consider writing a post about this amazing event and spread the word? There are graphics and banners available for your blog. You can also join the Facebook group and encourage your friends to do the same.
3. Spread The Word
Your sphere of influence is much larger than just your blog. You have friends and family that are just a phone call or email away. Set aside some time to reach out to some people and share this awesome opportunity with them.
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*Nashville-based Soles4Souls(TM) facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 3.5 million pairs (or one pair every 23 seconds) to people in 61 countries, including Honduras, Romania, Thailand, and the Sudan. The charity has been featured on CNN Headline News, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC News, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.
Three Canadian soldiers were killed as a result of an improvised explosive device attack on their armoured vehicle during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers in the Arghandab District. The incident occurred approximately 15 kilometers west of Kandahar City at about 9:00 a.m., Kandahar time on 5 December 2008.
The Canadian soldiers were participating in a vehicle patrol with their Afghan colleagues when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The three soldiers were killed instantly by the explosion.
This brings the total of Canadians killed in Afghanistan to 100.
Our prayers are with the families and friends of these 3 men.
Private Demetrios Diplaros
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Corporal Mark Robert McLaren
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Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson
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In an unrelated incident, earlier on the same day, two Canadian soldiers were seriously injured when an improvised explosive device detonated in the vicinity of a joint Canadian – Afghan foot patrol in Zharey District. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., Kandahar time, approximately 30 kilometers west of Kandahar City.
For more info go to the Canadian Forces website.
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