Author Archives: escalanteministries.com
Never Give Up
There are three words that can encourage a person to greatness. You see it said in the movies especially towards the end. Whether it’s two more steps or four yards to freedom, the hero will not give up because victory is in his/her grasp.
What about about the average soldier in the army of the Lord? The soldier fights in prayer, the soldier studies the mission, (the word) for in it lies the victory, then the obstacle presents itself-thus begins the battle. The war rages and soon the Christian is faced with a decision to either accept the defeat of having their friend they have spent time sharing the gospel reject the Lords’ invitation or remember that the battle is not for the soldier to fight, rather it is the Lord’s.
Don’t give up friend, continue to share what the Lord has done for all of us, his saving message is what needs to be heard. Youth ministry is HARD and that can seem like an understatement, but you LEADER were called there for such a time as this. You were called to never give up, or throw your hands up when the going gets rough. Never give up being Jesus’s hands and feet. Complete the connection of your students heart to the heart of the father. Remember, in the end He wins…….. that is what was on my mind, how about yours?
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What Will It Be For You?
2014, today marks the beginning of the New year. For many this is the first day of their resolution. Maybe it could be breaking a food addiction to even adopting a style of fitness. Whatever your challenge. Go after it with with all your heart, even if you don’t think it can be done. Do it anyway because it is what needs to be done. This is the year of great exploits for God. This is the year where destinies are fulfilled, sacrifices are honored, and dreams are realized.
So what will it be for you in ’14? How do you feel about it? In other words, what is your attitude concerning this newness or commitment? Is it just another year to you? Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth having?
Ignited,
Mike
Happy New Year
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The Parable of the Missing Sock……
As I am recovering from surgery, one of my self-imposed man duties around the house is the laundry. I am not able to do all the laundry, so I do as much as I can. Teresa is absolutely amazing at the multitasking of all the house chores but, around the great expanse of our hacienda I am known as:
“THE SOCK FOLDER”
Yes, armed with nothing more than a mesh laundry bag and patience as my sidearm, I rescue the small (my son’s) poor, defenseless single sock from the clutches of the evil sock eating washer/dryer bandit gang. Then, I heroically bring them back to its mate safe and sound. “It’s all in a day’s work ma’am as I gently tip my Stetson and ride off into the west on my trusty steed “laundry basket”. While many of us look at laundry as mundane. I learned a lesson that I would enjoy to share with you the reader.
Most of us would not even think twice about a missing sock because it is just a sock. Although, the question remains “would you look for that missing sock?” Are you willing to go and look around the laundry room for that sock? Its’ just a sock, right!? I mean, we have others that closely look alike and we could just make do with what we have although, we will not get what we pay for because there will always be a sock in the drawer that is missing it’s pair.
I think we as leaders could experience this when we are running at 90% but refuse to go after that last 10. Rather than finish strong with our project by ensuring everyone on the team was recognized. We go on without a sincere appreciation of our team members’ gifts reducing their contributions as a part of their paid duties.
Regarding ministry, we may experience this when we continue to run our ministries without those precious souls who fade away after our big outreach campaign or you fill in the blank. Whether from installing a network, to even handing out drinks during a community clean-up everyone is important. EVERYONE!
That is what was communicated in the book of Luke chapter 15 in illustrating the dual likeness of how far people will go including our heavenly Father. The bible records Jesus telling a story of a shepherd leaving the 99 safe sheep for that one in danger. He continues to reason with his audience giving the mental picture of a woman lighting a lamp looking for that lost coin. He concludes with the lost son. He does all this to answer why he chose to fellowship with the have-not’s….. Because in him (Christ), the misfits fit.
People matter, whether they fellowship with you at church, serve alongside you or slip out of contact. I ask you, would you go and see if they’re ok? Like a missing sock in a sock drawer we too can be ineffective without our team members.
Would you go after the missing sock? What are your thoughts?
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