Marriage and Family :: Ray Griffin | Thoughts on Ministry/Life

Dec

Manhattan Declaration

By Ray · Comments (1)

On November 20th, 2009 a newly formed document, the Manhattan Declaration, was signed by Christians from across the land upholding basic convictions that are becoming ever so fragile in our culture. Many from the Southern Baptist Convention were part of this call to clarity.

One arm of the SBC that speaks to issues in our culture is the Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee, headed by Dr. Richard Land. The link to this ministry and an article spelling out some of the highlights of this document and those who signed it at ERLC Manhattan Declaration.

I find it interesting of Allistair Begg’s take on the document and his stance at Truth for Life.

For general information about it check out Wikipedia.

Categories : Marriage and Family

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Oct

Need help finding a job?

By Ray · Comments (0)

One of the exciting things about ministry is that opportunities to encourage and bless are limitless. Creativity abounds. Ideas can become reality quickly!

I spoke with one of my friends in ministry today, Jeff Wilson of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, about a unique but certainly timely ministry that his church family is providing to the Oklahoma City Metro Community. It is called the Jobs Transitions Ministry.

The ministry is targeted at helping the unemployed find jobs. What a critical ministry at a still difficult time in our economy. This ministry speaks to a part of someone’s life that impacts multiple levels of health and stability. God provides, God leads, God equips, and God calls. How cool is it for this ministry to be alive in that process?

Check it out at jobs.hhbc.com.

Hey Jeff and others, thanks!

Categories : Leadership, Marriage and Family

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Sep

Marriage Enrichment Resource

By Ray · Comments (0)

I came across a great resource for assessing and enriching relationships. It is from the good folks at PREPARE-ENRICH.

The assessment is found at: www.couplecheckup.com.

Not only does the assessment cover a broad range of issues that all couples should review as zones of strength or needing growth, but it also gives resources and guides in how to address them. For what you get, the cost is minimal.

“Check” it out!

Categories : Marriage and Family

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May

New York City trip tips

By Ray · Comments (0)

Well, it was past time to take a romantic get-away with my wife. So, my wife and I recently took an anniversary trip to New York, NY. This was a fabulous trip and we loved it.

Here are some of the things that made this trip so enjoyable:

1. VRBO, Vacation Rental By Owner. This service allowed us to stay in a great NYC apartment with a bedroom, living room, full kitchen, and full bath for equal or less than a hotel room. The location we found was awesome, and the staff in person and by phone was great. We felt like we experienced the city in a very unique way.

2. Flex your schedule. We used the City Pass. This allowed us to plan broadly for what we wanted to do, then flex our schedule while there. For instance it rained a bit while we were there, so since we weren’t tied in to seeing things at specific times, we could see things in the best conditions (Empire on a clear night, harbor cruise on a clear morning). The City Pass also was so easy to use; just print off a page at home to use at the first spot you visit to be exchanged for your pass book.
Highlights of City Pass:
Harbor Cruise on the Circle Line
Empire State Building

3. Continental Airlines direct to Newark Airport. For our city, Continental had a direct flight, which translates to a 7am takeoff and a landing around 11:30am. How cool is that! No full day in the air and airports. The other benefit is Newark (EWR) has rail service that connects directly to Penn Station in NYC. So that means a 27 minute (NJ transit) train ride directly to the heart of Manhattan with connection to the subway system (MTA).

4. Broadway tickets at the TKTS booth Times Square. We used this service twice and it is great. Easy! We purchased Phantom tickets 20 minutes before showtime. Again flexibility, the weather was bad, we knew we wanted to see Phantom, get in line, purchase, done.

5. Great Freebies! My wife and I had a great experience at the Today Show (NBC) and even got free Letterman tickets from a page looking for attendees in Times Square. The key again was flexibility. Other freebies of note: Central Park, SoHo, Wall Street, and a particularly moving experience at the World Trade Center’s St. Paul’s Chapel. There are so many things to see and do that simply cost $0, Chinatown, Tiffany’s, Macy’s, and more!

We loved the trip and I would highly recommend it to anyone. If you’ve been to NYC, what are some of your insights?

Categories : Marriage and Family, Personal Growth and Development

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Jan

God’s call on your life.

By Ray · Comments (0)

A while back I wrote the following, but I would add to this one of the most powerful passages that stand out to me in my own call experience and that is Psalm 37:4-5. I would also add the following links to books that could be useful in this journey, Answering the Call, and Called to be God’s Leader.

My prayer is that you experience the Lord’s direction very clearly in your life!

Previous Post:

I recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of Sunday School leaders about one of the most powerful elements of who they are as leaders in the church…their call to service. For us as church leaders, the most critical marker for my service and ministry is my call. The Bible shows us God’s direction in peoples’ lives from Abraham, to Moses, the ups and downs of Saul, David, and the great call of Paul. Why is the call so critical?

1. It is why we do what we do. Really, what is it though? I have experienced two levels of call:

One, General Call, which is static, meaning that time in my life during the summer of 1990 when I clearly understood the Lord wanted my life for His use, whenever, wherever. I surrendered to Him. This call is the touch-stone where I go back to in my mind, kind of marking time and my life to this significant event. He continues to affirm this call on my life.

I have also experienced Specific Call, which has been wildly dynamic, and has offered opportunities for me to listen to Him and His direction in my life to serve in counseling, family work, singles, youth, and education. The most exciting part of this specific call is that He may keep me with my current orders, and then in a heartbeat, He could call to something completely different. I am content either way.

2. It gives direction and purpose to anyone, regardless of where their ministry is. If God calls someone to be a mechanic, or pilot, go, do it. Listen to Him.

3. It gives the ability to weather storms. If I know I am called to a place to serve that is hurting or struggling, or if I find myself in a low spot feeling like I am being pulled in a million different ways and I am ready to pull the parachute and walk away, I lean on the call.

What has He called you to do?

Categories : Creative Communication, Discipleship, Help for the New Minister, Leadership, Marriage and Family, Personal Growth and Development

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