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Pastor's Window
A look at life and ministry.

An Embarrasment of Riches

  04/08/08 22:11, by , Categories: Church Life, Stray Thoughts
I thank God for our deacons. I don't know what I would do with out them. They demonstrate tremendous spiritual leadership. They have servant's hearts and shepherd's minds. To have men that I can confide in, share with, get advice from, lean on, and also have them be teachable even though most are older than me...that is a truly wonderful gift to our church from God. This board demonstrates the Biblical model for church leadership and I feel privileged to be on a team with them. Thank you Lord!!!
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Youth Ministry and the Family

  04/08/08 22:06, by , Categories: Family, Church Life, Living Life
I was just reading a blog post from a youth pastor down in Windham. He quotes an article that associates the exodus of teens from the church as the near adulthood with the shift of spiritual development in teens from fathers to youth pastors. The complete post is here: http://unbound411.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/no-need-for-youth-ministries/ I agree with the blog's author Matt in that I don't think the youth pastors are directly to blame for the shift. I do think that it is true that fathers have played less and less of a role in being the "pastors" of their home. The traditional family has taken many hits and that role is often not taught or even modeled in churches. I have seen pastors who did not pastor their own homes individually. As a youth pastor, I have often found myself being defaulted to as a spiritual father. I don't believe I edged out or removed a father from that role, but I sometimes had to fill it when the dad did not. Perhaps where us youth pastors could do more

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Batteries Recharge

  04/05/08 21:52, by , Categories: Family, Living Life
Today I took my family and we fled the corner for the day. :) We went over to China to visit my parents. It was nice just to get away from an exhausting and at times discouraging week. Today it was just about family and enjoying those healthy relationships. We had a great visit with my folks, I had fun with my kids. Sarah and I got a chance to just talk and catch up, it was wonderful. Nehemiah in the morning. I am looking forward to this series, as I mentioned before. But for now, I am going to bask in a day with my family. Not a full recharge perhaps, one day doesn't replace a week. But an awesome boost. Thank you Lord for family.
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Light & Darkness-Truth

  04/03/08 22:33, by , Categories: Stray Thoughts, Politics, Living Life
1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God. Ephesians 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 1 John 2:9-11 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. (10) The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. (11) But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. I take great comfort in these verses. My God knows. And all is laid bare to Him. May I always look to myself, to the log in my eye. May my prayer be the same as David in Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; (24) And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.
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Nehemiah Series

  04/01/08 13:11, by , Categories: Announcements
I am really excited about the series in Nehemiah. Been working hard on it today and I am really excited about what is in there. I think it will be a good challenge for us over the next three weeks. Nehemiah is my favorite book in the Bible. He is a great role-model.
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A look at life and ministry.

About the Author

After growing up in Maine, Ira graduated from Bible College and wandered into Western Maine and has never found his way back out. He has a deep love for the rural churches of Maine and the people who make up this great state. He loves Truth over Tradition, Christ over Culture, and People over Process. He love to equip, teach, and disciple and longs to see the Maine church grow healthy and make disciples.


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