Friend or Leader?
Would you rather be "loved" or "respected"? A comedian is liked. People laugh. Is he respected? Respect is earned by loving people AND treating them with merciful and kind respect. 
Christmas During Our Pandemic, Does It Have to be a Bad Thing?
2020 has been difficult for the entire world. Celebrations, weddings, graduations, work, birthdays; were either postponed, or downsized.But does Christmas and the holiday season have to be a bad one? Absolutely not!
It Takes So Little to Be Above Average—This Christmas

For those who pastor or are in a church leadership role – Christmas is a time to make a memorable and influential ministry impact.  Yes, Christmas is a time of “good tidings and joy to all people.” The beginning of the incarnation happened at Bethlehem. 

 At the same time, while your kids or grandkids are having a wonderful time, there are others who can benefit from a simple ministering word from their shepherd.  Let me give you four suggestions.

Depression and the Need for a Light at the End of the Tunnel

Depression and the Need for a Light at the End of the Tunnel

https://carltoncoon.com/blogs/news/depression-and-the-need-for-a-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel

Depression has been called the mental and emotional common cold. Depression is common. However, many people remain unaware. They also remain unaware that depression affects people from the most successful – to the unknown.

Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 15-26 - The Church's First Business Meeting
Peter and apparently his peers felt it was important to have twelve ordained workers. This was about staffing the mission.
Begin your 2021 Ministry Planning NOW
We have talked a little bit about the holiday season, and the challenges of them. One of the things I've noticed in the last few days, is my inbox is just full of emails, with people who are challenging me...
No Root, No Fruit! The Importance of Stabilizing Converts Before Putting Them in Key Roles
Do Christian leaders occasionally make the mistake of trying to bring people to a place of participation they are not ready for. People should be rooted in the church as well as rooted in the Word of God to be productive.
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 9-11 - Jesus' Ascension
The disciples already had His promise of a SPIRITUAL return to be IN them, but this was different.  The angels speak of another PHYSICAL return of the Lord.
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - Pentecostal Power
Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity 
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - The Remedy for Self Interest
Pentecost changed the entire outlook of these men.
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 6-8 - Wilt Thou Restore the Kingdom?
Imagine them thinking and talking among themselves, ”You know that resurrection was a pretty neat trick, but I wonder when He is going to take care of the ‘main’ thing, the business of restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 1-2 (continued)
With Jesus there was action and doctrine. A bird must have two wings in order to fly. The church must also have the two wings of “action” and “instruction.” Seek balance – “to do and teach.”  Both are necessary. To be over-balanced toward one or the other leaves the church weak.
Book of Acts, Chapter 1, Verses 1-2 (continued)
Jesus was both a “doer” and a “teacher.”  Teaching without action is philosophy. Those who “do” without having instruction usually end up taking that is unfocused or do things the hardest way possible. As leaders we must “do” and “teach.”
Book of Acts, Chapter 1
The four gospels funnel into Acts. Acts is then a too oft ignored bridge from the life of Christ into practiced and practical Christianity.
For Better Understanding of Acts Blog #8

The book of Acts covers approximately thirty years. Understanding the time involved gives a sense of the time in Paul becoming a convert, a disciple, and then a student of the scripture. It helps see the development of Peter as the apostle preaching the first gospel message to the Jews and nine years later to a Gentile.

 

Various Ways of Looking at Acts (Continued) Blog #7

Acts contains an experiential theology of salvation whether dealing with those who conspired to commit murder (Acts 2); a prayerful and honest-hearted Roman military official (Acts 10), or an Ethiopian who had traveled to Jerusalem to worship (Acts 8). How to be saved is found in the book of Acts!

 

Various Ways of Looking at Acts (Continued (Blog #6)
Step by step the gospel message moves from Jerusalem to Rome. The missionary effort was not easy. Persecution, personal disagreements among leaders, and people backsliding did not stop the missionary effort.
Various Ways of Looking at Acts (Continued) Blog #5
The church in the book of Acts is shown as a spiritual entity. At their best, the Christians in Acts were indwelt, empowered, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Various Ways of Looking at Acts (Continued) Blog#3

Acts has much divine activity. God was breaking in on people of various cultures and backgrounds. Luke was especially concerned that his readers understand this.

 

Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles continues in the same vein of the gospel of Luke as Luke (the author) begins to share the "teaching" and "doing" of the followers of Jesus.

Waterproof Man Drowns in Dry Creek
Lot positioned his wife for failure. Actually, Lot positioned his entire family for failure.....