Lawrence W. Wilson

Mark ... Right you are. Good catch!

2010-12-05T09:16:22.049-05:00

Mark ... Right you are. Good catch!

I think you meant to say Luke 6:38 instead of Matt...

2010-12-04T22:50:27.680-05:00

I think you meant to say Luke 6:38 instead of Matthew 6:38. :)

Adam, I couldn't agree more. Nothing opens the...

2010-11-30T09:15:26.299-05:00

Adam, I couldn't agree more. Nothing opens the wallet like opening the eyes.

Nothing cultivates generosity than spending time w...

2010-11-30T08:59:59.635-05:00

Nothing cultivates generosity than spending time with friends in abject poverty around the world. The North American church has much to learn from brothers and sisters in the hard places.

Interesting, thanks!

2010-03-23T15:36:33.450-04:00

Interesting, thanks!

Interesting blog, Lawrence, but it’s missing an im...

2010-03-23T08:57:06.829-04:00

Interesting blog, Lawrence, but it’s missing an important part of the equation: Generation Jones (between the Boomers and Generation X). Google Generation Jones, and you’ll see it’s gotten lots of media attention, and many top commentators from many top publications and networks (Washington Post, Time magazine, NBC, Newsweek, ABC, etc.) now specifically use this term. In fact, the Associated Press' annual Trend Report chose the Rise of Generation Jones as the #1 trend of 2009.

It is important to distinguish between the post-WWII demographic boom in births vs. the cultural generations born during that era. Generations are a function of the common formative experiences of its members, not the fertility rates of its parents. And most analysts now see generations as getting shorter (usually 10-15 years now), partly because of the acceleration of culture. Many experts now believe it breaks down more or less this way:

DEMOGRAPHIC boom in babies: 1946-1964
Baby Boom GENERATION: 1942-1953
Generation Jones: 1954-1965
Generation X: 1966-1978
Generation Y/Millennials: 1979-1993

Here are some good links about GenJones I found:

http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20090127/column27_st.art.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ta_Du5K0jk

http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html

Learned of your move from Wesleyan Publishers...ho...

2010-03-17T12:11:00.626-04:00

Learned of your move from Wesleyan Publishers...hope you are enjoying what you're doing now. Great blog. Would love for you to visit my website and blog sometime... go to: http://hisloveextendedministries.com

Tell Heather I said hello...I'm working on my next book. When He Whispers...God's Speaking Even When You Think He Isn't

Be blessed.
Julie

This post is beautiful and I just wanted to say th...

2010-03-12T09:26:31.251-05:00

This post is beautiful and I just wanted to say that in reading it, I recognized that it is actually the "alignment" or as you put it "harmony" with the Father which brings the satisfaction along the journey. So, this would be the more that would truly fulfill, even if the other goals or plans we have do not work out as we think they should. Thank you for the realization here today. Have a beautiful weekend! Your site is lovely! ~Jenn

OK, so it didn't go exactly as planned. I had ...

2010-02-12T12:03:19.493-05:00

OK, so it didn't go exactly as planned. I had to call the real geeks at my domain hosting service, and they fixed the problem in about 10 seconds.

I think I'm in the right career. Dealing with people is definitely easier than dealing with computers. Well, most of the time!

Thanks for the good words, Hetty. You are such an ...

2010-01-15T17:54:04.837-05:00

Thanks for the good words, Hetty. You are such an encourager!

You and your wife Heather have such awesome hearts...

2010-01-14T23:39:49.097-05:00

You and your wife Heather have such awesome hearts thru Christ--and He is smiling BIG, knowing His plans for you--are sure rolling out!! As your heart is just so Christ-Like!!! What an amazing soul you all are-- as we turn our eyes upon Jesus-- we see more and more how HE would want us to handle it!! All thru His love to reach to all--pray for all--mourn with all--and pray for all... You have touched many lives thru Him!! God bless you!!! Thank you for inspiring me!!!!
@AliveinMe ~Hetty Siebens

Great ideas! Thanks!

2010-01-12T08:06:04.122-05:00

Great ideas! Thanks!

Encouraging and timely words, Larry! Thank you!

2009-12-17T12:08:47.211-05:00

Encouraging and timely words, Larry! Thank you!

Cassandra ... Yes, these stories are incredibly ri...

2009-11-20T06:31:48.719-05:00

Cassandra ... Yes, these stories are incredibly rich. I think the church loses a great deal by not emphasizing them in preaching and teaching.

I'd like to say, "Yes." But I know b...

2009-11-19T20:30:30.947-05:00

I'd like to say, "Yes." But I know better. I know that sometimes I keep a proper perspective and sometimes I despair like Elijah under the broom tree and sometimes I am resentful like the older brother of the Prodigal son and sometimes I am impulsive like Peter and say things I later regret.

I'm grateful for the stories in the Bible of real people who had complex relationships with God. I find so much hope in them for me.

That's some of the best writing advice I'v...

2009-11-18T11:15:36.608-05:00

That's some of the best writing advice I've heard. Thanks. :)

before you fix anything "tech" wise you ...

2009-11-14T19:18:22.096-05:00

before you fix anything "tech" wise you must first fix the acoustics in the room. as for the sound all you need to do is spread them apart a couple of feet and use the reverb equipment that we have in the back. i also agree with Anonymous #2 about not making it a production. yes it must run smoothly and effectively with video sound and lights, it would be a shame of we turned our nice quint church into a mega church where no one really knows the person next to them like we do now.

Hey that's me in the picture. And since I will...

2009-11-12T11:32:48.533-05:00

Hey that's me in the picture.
And since I will be moving my membership to our church here in Iowa...I will refrain from entering into the fray :)

Nothing in particular... didn't mean to sound ...

2009-11-12T10:59:49.382-05:00

Nothing in particular... didn't mean to sound ungrateful. Just personally like the small town church feel..I like that we don't feel like a 'production' on Sunday morning.... and didn't want that to get lost in glitz and glamour...

Anonymous #2

Anonymous #2 ... Just curious, which of the propos...

2009-11-12T10:28:40.449-05:00

Anonymous #2 ... Just curious, which of the proposed changes do you think would make the church intimidating for people to enter?

I agree with the statement about the windows on th...

2009-11-12T10:26:58.489-05:00

I agree with the statement about the windows on the same wall as the stage. Sometimes the sun comes through just right and is a little blaring. I like all of the other ideas, too...especially the carpet. I really appreciate the altar being a focus again. Thanks!!!

I agree on the lighting. The 'stage' can ...

2009-11-12T10:16:36.657-05:00

I agree on the lighting. The 'stage' can be so bright.. at times some speakers are even squinting. That can't be comfortable. I don't speak regularly but when I do.. I like to make eye contact. Makes me feel my message is received.

Also regarding the art. Words are a powerful thing. I think we should surround ourselves with positive images and words that stand for what we believe in... and what we want for each other... LOVE -- HOPE -- PRAYER -- FAITH -- FORGIVENESS..

As far as the brick... please don't paint it.

We do have some changes to make ... but we are still a church for the people... let's not make our church intimidating to come into. It is the small town church feel that invited me in and the people that kept me... Let's not lose that.

Anonymous ... I would like to keep the discussion ...

2009-11-12T09:24:20.535-05:00

Anonymous ... I would like to keep the discussion centered on the room itself as a worship space (vs. operational issues), but the point you raise is worth a comment.

I had been hopeful that we could recruit a team of guys who would tackle this chore as a ministry, freeing most worshipers to mingle and interact after the service.

I want the majority of us to do exactly what they are doing after church--talking to each other.

If we are unable to recruit a cadre of helpers to own this task, I would rather pay someone to perform the work rather than cause everyone, including visitors, to engage the chairs rather than one another.

Thanks for the work you are doing. Perhaps its time to look for another solution.

It's difficult that immediately after the serv...

2009-11-12T08:43:31.845-05:00

It's difficult that immediately after the service not everyone helps with the chairs. People disappear and start talking and abandon the same group of people left to do it weekly. I usually clear 3 - 4 rows, then have to rush off and get my kids. Not a big deal, but why can't everyone do one or two chairs (except those that are pregnant or elderly)? If we all leave it to someone else, it will not get done.

Holley ... I should also have said that reading is...

2009-11-11T16:45:39.160-05:00

Holley ... I should also have said that reading is vitally important for a writer. When I am the least creative and energetic is when I am empty. Reading others fills my tank with new ideas and creativity.

Hillary ... Connection to the author should probably have been #1. Took me a long time to learn that one.