Now it looks like bad make up!

At Kickboxing last night I was hit with a brilliant right jab.

I gave as good as I got.

We fought it out with jab rounds during sparring. Can’t wait till next week!

Wonder what the people will think when I turn up to preach tonight!

So much of what I hear past off as preaching has no sound foundation in Biblical doctrine.

It feels good. Sounds good, taste good. But like a staple diet of Twinkies, it leaves the consumer with no long-term nutritional value. In fact worst than that. When crisis comes, the Theological Twinkie Consumer is fat, unhealthy and unable to cope with the pressure and stress of the moment. Paul tells us:

“each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.”

This is not speaking of the works of the believer, but the substance of the preaching and teaching that was laid up in the life of the believer. It is the teaching that is building on the foundation of Christ. It is the preaching and teaching that will be judged as hay, straw or precious stones. It is the doctrine that we have imbibed that will be consumed by the fire of Judgment and may I suggest the fire of adversity and judged according to the value of its content.

It is in adversity that you see the character of a man emerge and the quality of his discipleship. When faced with death. When faced with suffering, when faced with impossible odds. It is at these times that you find out if the foundation is Christ or self, Rock or sand.

When people jump from Shepherd to Shepherd looking for the latest spiritual get rich quick scheme instead of abiding in the vine of a local church they open themselves up to deception.

When preachers insist upon feeding their flocks on the latest Twinkie fad floating around ecclesiastical circles, they put their ministry in the position of one day being judged as nothing more than hay and stubble.

Build on Christ and build eternity into the hearts of your people.

I am in Phoenix this week for my graduation ceremony for my Masters in Ministry and Doctorate of Theology. The culmination of years of work and effort.

We have been working with the University of Phoenix of Theology and I am please to announce that we can offer fully accredited Bachelor, Master and Doctorate programs through the International Christian Men's Institute.

We are want to identify, train and release men into their ministry to men.

We want to help train ministers to men for churches, sporting organization, the military and business chaplains.

We will be able to test for real life credit. In other words, if you have a life time of study and real world experience we will be able to help you translate this into academic credentials. If you have a degree with another organization, we can give you credit for your study towards the next level of your degree.

If you have previously completed, or partially completed, the Ed Cole Curriculum, we can take this and convert this into a university recognized degree with the International Men’s Network though our teaching alliances.

Let us know if you are interested by emailing.

admin@imnonline.org

Destiny Image have asked me if I would like them to do a special catalogue featuring It's a Guy ThingThey will give me the front cover for a full write up on the book and about how the men's ministry torch was passed to Beccy and I by Dr Ed Cole's board.

They will also give me an inside front cover and two more pages to promote all of the resources available to men that we have at International Men’s Network.

This mail out will go out to their 60 000 people mailing list and then to the people on our mailing list. Initially about 10 000 and then another 50 000 and then the final 90 000. That is a mailing out to some 310 000 people!

If you combine this with the big push in Family Christian Bookstores - what a launch! It has been incredible watching this event unfold, week after week.

Now you all need to buy books next week from the imn store. If you buy it in the month of September I will personally sign them and even personalize them if you want to give them as a gift to someone!

So drop by the online store.

Had a church get together at our house.

3 babies dedicated.
We had 6 people baptized and at the end of the baptisms I did an altar call for salvation and we had 6 kids respond.

Then at church on Sunday we had 5 people confess their need to get right with Christ during the prayer meeting and another at end of the service!

The BBQ was a blast.

We had a 22 foot water slide and a jumping castle and snow cone machine for the kids. It was just a great day for family.

Our personal highlight was Jessica’s Grandmother, Beccy's mum, was baptized as well.

Shelia gave her heart and life to Christ 2 weeks ago during church, something we have been believing God for, for over 20 years now.

A God Sized Vision

You can tell a God sized vision and a God inspired life because it is:
Multigenerational in its execution
Selfless in its focus
Daunting in its possible impact
Impossible in its fulfillment
Exciting in its prospects
Frightening in the ramification of it’s failure
Demanding in its detail
Exacting in its price
All consuming in its passion.
God glorifying & Christ exalting in all that it does.

Make sure you get the download Wednesday.

Be blessed!

Had a wonderful surprise just the other day.

Family Christian Stores (FCS) told my publisher that they believe could be the next 'James Dobson - Raising Boys'! What a complement. To even be thought of in that company!

FCS wants to do a big nation wide promo.

I have included an email that was sent though to me about the opportunity.

I am pumped - pretty cool when you think about it. What a great thing we are in the middle of watching God do an amazing thing.

You can pre-order a signed copy today and we will ship it next week when they get in

——-

Dear John,
Family Christian Stores selected your book "Its a Guy Thing, Helping Guys Become Men, Husbands, and Fathers" for additional advertising/promotion in 350 stores.

Destiny Image plans to commit to this promotion for this book.

Please review the detail summary below:

FAMILY CHRISTIAN STORES PROMOTION
Christmas catalog promotion with distribution of 3,350,000
Special promotion placement on the new release feature table of all 350 stores.
Promo dates: 12/3 - 12/24

I think this is a great opportunity as the promo period is the single biggest gift shopping time of the year.

Blessings,

Don

I love this passage of scripture:
Romans 8:2
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.

If you think about - really think about it - what it means, the full ramifications of what Paul is saying…. it is staggering!

Ministry and churches fail not because of the unknown future, but because of the uncertainty of the people.

It is not the unknown that gets pastors discouraged or people dismayed, it is the uncertainty of the difference between what is said, what is heard, what is meant and what is done.

Effective communication only happens when what is meant is said in such a way that what is heard and interpreted is exactly the same thing.

We live in an age where your word is no longer your bond and spin is applied to every sentence in news and unfortunately in the pulpit it seems as well.

How I have dealt with this is by drafting a Commitment Contract. This Contract outlines what I am committing to them and as there Senior Leader and what I expect from them as my Church Leaders.

This makes everything clear, open and not able to be misinterpreted…. well you know how that goes.