I shall never forget a visit I made during my vicarage year from the seminary at Hobart, IN. One of the members asked that I visit her grandfather who was up in years. He had no time for God or the church, but, the member added, "He very much misses our son who died when he was six years old."

I sat down with him on the porch to his home. For two hours I tried to explain to the old gentleman God's love and his need for a Savior - to no avail. I finally asked if he missed his grandson. "Oh, yes, very much!" "Where is he now?" "He is in heaven." I said, "You're right, but I have bad news for you. You'll never enjoy him again. He was a believer in Jesus and is now in heaven, and you are an unbeliever and will go to hell. In Luke 16:26 Jesus told how the rich man was in hell. He asked that Lazarus, who was in heaven, be sent back to earth to warn his five brothers about hell. The rich man in hell was told by Abraham, 'Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' I'm sorry that you'll never see him again!" With that the old man began to cry and said, "I could never stand that! Tell me more about Jesus!" I did. He came to faith that afternoon. Later he died. Now he enjoys his grandson and all the children of God.

Friend, have you ever shared the Good News of Jesus Christ one on one with another person? I hope so. But what do you do when the person doesn't want that Good News? Perhaps you should be honest enough to say, "I have some bad news for you (Mark 16:16b)." Briefly explain this. Ask what seems to stand in the way of believing in Jesus as personal Savior.

Let's share the Good News of Jesus at every opportunity, but let's also be honest and loving enough to share how the rejection of the Good News will result in very bad news. May God richly bless you as you share the Good News of Jesus with people that He loves so much!

What do these time-saving devices have in common: PDA's, laptop computers, cell phones, electronic banking, fast-food restaurants, e-mail, and microwave ovens?

They have NOT: uncomplicated our lives; given us a sense that we have more time than before; made us essentially happier; increased our wealth; improved our relationships with one another; increased volunteerism in churches; given us more time for prayer; expanded the time we spend in Bible study; helped us to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

What have they done? They have forced clear-thinking Christians to creatively consider the rat-race of modern life, which someone has said, "Even if you win the rat-race, you're still a rat."

Life seems to be moving at a faster pace than ever. The promise to do business in "real time" has often left us with our heads spinning. For Christian churches, there has actually been an increase of those who respond, "I don't have time." It's the answer Christians give when asked about worship attendance, Bible study, joining a small group, helping with Vacation Bible School, serving on the church board, attending a Christian conference, or mentoring another Christian (even, sadly, one's own son or daughter).

The challenge of time is also an opportunity for Christians to step up in ministry to let God "redeem the time."

Focus on these issues:

1. Encourage your church to teach time management from the Christian perspective: every moment is a gift from God and an opportunity to be a good manager, to God's glory.
2. Teach your children (and other children of God) to make time-use choices based on biblical values, not habits, appetites, cultural influences, or peer pressure.
3. As you plan your day (we all get 24 hours, no more, no less), do so in a "God consciousness" attitude of prayer.
4. Live each day as though it is your last. One of these days, you'll be right!
5. Learn about and avoid time bandits: unplanned, repeated trips; certain television programs; some church meetings; etc.
6. Practice the Sabbath: down time, one day in seven.
7. Follow the biblical pattern, which is to work from rest, not rest from work (see the chapter on the "Rhythm of Life" from the book The Passionate Church by Mike Breen and Walt Kallestad).
8. Help your church practice more "get-away block time." These are retreats of one or two days, scheduled away from all the "time-saving devices," to focus on what really counts.

It's about time: how to use it, not waste it, enjoy it, and invest it. As Christians, we have a lot to say... and practice. It's about time!

Dr. Kent Hunter (LCMS) is nationally known as the Church Doctor. You can contact him at (800) 626-8515, or visit his website at www.churchdoctor.org.

Please be in prayer for the safety of those who are in combat in Iraq and Afganistan: Then give names with rank and branch of service. Put in newsletters and bulletins. Pray for them in worship services.

Beside having lay people take care of Scripture readings at worship, more lay people are being involved in leading the congregation in ex corde prayer, heartfelt prayer (prayer that comes from the heart) at the beginning of worship. We like the idea and have been favorably impressed at worship services where this is done.

When was the last time you updated family information for your congregation? It's important that the church can reach members for sharing information and especially in case of an emergency. Link to a sample information sheet here. Feel free to adopt or adapt.

It costs $8,800 to give birth to a baby. It costs $197,700 to care for the child until age 17. But "...you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect" (1 Peter 1:18-20). Oh, how precious you are. Oh, how precious are the children in your neighborhood. Why not reach out to one of these "expensive ones" for Jesus? Why not develop a plan for your church for such an outreach?

"The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not, 'What a lovely sermon!' but 'I will do something.'" - Billy Graham

After the christening of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That minister said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, and I want to stay with you guys!"

More than 19 million children in the U.S. - about 25 percent of the total - live in households without a father. In the African-American community, that figure rises to 56 percent. In Hispanic households, 31 percent are without fathers. Among whites the figure is 22 percent, according to Reuters. Does your church offer a ministry to kids without dads and to single parents? Why not ask several single parents in your church to pursue this ministry? What a great ministry this would be!

Stanza one of a beautiful hymn of praise to the Lord for the early part of your worship service by Twila Paris -

You are Lord of creation and Lord of my life, Lord of the land and the sea.
You were Lord of the heavens before there was time. And Lord of all Lords you will be.
We bow down and we worship You, Lord. We bow down and we worship You Lord.
Lord of all lords You will be.

What would Jesus say to your Mormon neighbor, the relativist in your family, your friend who had an abortion, or the homosexual in the office next to you? You can find out this summer. Ask your pastor to preach on these and other worldviews through the eyes of Christ's grace. What would Jesus say to the:

• July 15 - Addict
• July 22 - Abortion
• July 29 - Muslim
• August 5 - Mormon
• August 12 - Hedonist
• August 19 - Relativist
• August 26 - New Ager
• September 2 - Catholic
• September 9 - Homosexual
• September 16 - Religious Person

. . . what will you say?

Could it be that the person knows that a change is necessary, but is ambivalent about changing? Authors Miller and Rollnick suggest four types of ambivalence that keep a person in the "I want to, but don't want to" dilemma:

1. Approach/avoidance ambivalence: The person is both attracted to and repelled by the change. Some aspects of the proposed change are appealing, other aspects are threatening. The change doesn't happen because both poles of the change are balanced against each other.
2. Approach/approach ambivalence: Change option "A" and change option "B" are equally attractive options. Since "A" and "B" are equally balanced, no change occurs, because to choose "A" means a rejection of "B."
3. Avoidance/avoidance: This person can't bring himself to change because "the lesser of two evils" doesn't exist; both are equally bad.
4. Double-approach/avoidance: This person finds equally attractive and repelling characteristics in both issues; when he/she moves toward the positives in "A," the negatives become prominent. But the same thing happens when he/she moves toward the positives in "B."

What can be done to help the person who finds himself in one of these ambivalent dilemmas? Whatever you do, do not prescribe your own course of action. "John, I think you should..." Most of the time John will give one of two responses: (a) a list of the reasons why your suggested changes won't work; or (b) an initial compliance with your recommendation with no motivation ("buy-in") to continue the action after you've moved on. Frequently, such people are quick to revert back to their old behaviors once the pressure is off.

Miller & Rollnick offer several strategies for helping your counselee overcome their ambivalence. Here are two:

• Guide your counselee to develop their own arguments for change. When people articulate their own reasons for action, they are more likely to follow through with it. "When you think about changing, how do you answer the objections that other part of you gives for not changing?"
• Amplify the discrepancy between your counselee's present behavior and their own stated life-goals or self-perception. "Help me understand how this [e.g., irresponsibility] fits with how you see yourself as an [upstanding Christian, church member, etc]".

Change is a difficult process that defies simplistic solutions. Helping people change requires prayer, patience, and perseverance.

Dr. Craig Loving is a pastor as well as a therapist in private practice in the Denver area. You can reach him at 303-349-7398 or by visiting his website.

A Florida pastor just shared with us that he plans to have his entire membership go through the Bible study, I Have Good News For You. He said that his people need to get back to the basics. They need to be "on the same page." He plans to divide the membership into fellowship groups each with a lay leader. They will have one lesson a week using the DVDs. They will do the worksheets together. Light refreshments will be served. When the ten-week course is completed, he hopes that each group will continue meeting for Bible study and fellowship. Another pastor just shared how he will do the same thing, but each group leader will teach with the aid of the Good News Leader's Guide (#102). Here are some additional ideas:

1. Place posters in prominent places with a sign-up sheet placed to the side of each poster.
2. Speak of the class in sermons, prayers, bulletin paragraphs, newsletters, and flyers (#105).
3. Invite all members and transfers to attend for a refresher, to get to know the pastor better and the pastor to become better acquainted with them. People usually enter into a new and higher level of discipleship.

Pastor and people should work hard at bringing people to the new class. The prospect may have many fears about studying the Bible and, of all things, "Going to a Lutheran Church." Your presence with the prospect the first session or two will mean much.

Sometime ago, as a group of 30-40 soldiers moved into the Atlanta, GA, air terminal, the civilians around them stood and cheered. It was spontaneous and a great moment to be there. From the crowd a young girl, perhaps 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the men. He knelt down and said, "Hi," and the girl asked if he would give something to her daddy for her. The soldier, in his early 20s, said he would try and what was it he could give her daddy. The little girl hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

The girl's mother stepped forward and explained that her husband was a Marine in Iraq for 11 months and how much little Courtney missed him. Some of the other soldiers huddled together and one pulled out a military walkie-talkie. He talked on the device a minute or so, and then walked back to Courtney, bent down and said, "I just spoke to your daddy, and he told me to give this to you." And he gave her a kiss on the cheek. He said, "Your daddy loves you more than anything, and he is coming home very soon." Then the soldier stood and saluted Courtney and her mother. There were very few dry eyes among the crowd in that moment.

The applause resumed as the soldiers headed toward their gate. Then the young soldier turned at the last moment and blew Courtney a kiss. There was a big tear rolling down his face.

We need to remember our soldiers every day and pray for their families. We need to thank God for their sacrifices. And regardless of what some fools may say, these men and women are heroes. If they were not defending our freedom, we would certainly fail at defending it ourselves. The enemy is close to the gates, and he has the money, the will and the ways to destroy us. May God give us courage to keep that from happening.

We live in the land of the free, only because of the brave.

Rev. Bob Tasler (LCMS) lives in Castle Rock, CO. He writes a weekly message like the one above and emails it to hundreds of people around the country free. You may subscribe by emailing him.

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