Is Suffering Necessary?

I am sure you, like I, have found the 23 Psalm very comforting in times of loss, distress, suffering, and pain. I have found it extremely helpful in the times when I have felt like I was hopelessly lost in my suffering, pain and grief. I have to say it is not particularly a time of distress for me recently. I am more unsure about the future right now than in any period of suffering. Frankly, I am in a good place kind, of more like the green pastures, than the valley of the shadow of death. That is maybe why Jesus is calling me to write this particular post right now because you usually have a better perspective on suffering in the green pastures than during the journey through the valley of the shadow of death.  So here are a few thoughts on the 23 Psalm and it's obvious depth into the journey of suffering and finally to show is the absolute necessity of suffering in helping us lean on the Good Shepherd for the benefit of our souls and finally "dwelling in the House of the Lord Forever".

The Lord is My Shepherd I shall not want...

Normally the crisis of life make us cry out to God more than the green pastures. I have never learned about faith deepening or trust strengthening in the easy times (green pastures). In My life I only grow in significant ways in the valley of the shadow of death. I do learn about thanksgiving in those good times, but the valley of the shadow of death is absolutely necessary because we have to lean on Christ as the Good Shepherd in those times because He is our only hope.We are tempted to resent and become bitter at the shepherd for leading us through the dark valley, but the same is true in the green pastures we are temped to love the blessing rather than the giver of all good gifts. We are tempted to love the grass rather than the Shepherd who led us to that green pasture. So there are dangers in the green pasture not just the dark valley, and the Good Shepherd leads us into all of them by His wise and good plan. "I shall not want" means that we have no lack of anything that the shepherd thinks isn't absolutely good for us. He will in his wise and good plan give us everything that we need for our good and his glory even the hardest of circumstances, He allows for our great good. As you probably notice that the Shepherd walks with us the whole way. As you endure in the hardest of trials know that the Good Shepherd has laid down His life for the Sheep, and in every way has taken on human suffering in His body on the cross, so that He can become our brother that has gone before us in taking on our sin and shame. Everything that you think is an impossible suffering he has endured more! He has become our great high priest who can sympathize with and has entered into our weakness! That has to be the most comforting thing. He has fully entered the human experience and taken onto himself the full brunt of human suffering and so he is qualified to be a Good Shepherd. So as you take on this trial, hardship,  or suffering know that if it was necessary for Jesus to be perfected through the things he suffered, then it must be absolutely necessary to suffer with Him and for Him to lead us through the dark valley. Philippians 3:10 one of my favorite verses "I want to know Christ in the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death". In our sufferings we can fellowship with a Good Shepherd, Savior, and Lord.

Is Halloween Dangerous?

I was thinking about the supernatural today. I guess it seems appropriate, since today is Halloween. I was wondering why most American and Western Christians do not think the supernatural rhealm especially the demonic or spirit rhealm is real. So today in, deep contemplation, I asked my wife and she said she thought it was because it is so sensationalized in the media and treated more as entertainment rather than reality. I think it is dangerous for us as Christians to not give any credance to the spirit world, which biblically exists beyond a shadow of a doubt. I remembered the great book by C.S. Lewis called Screwtape Letters in which a senior demon is communicating in a series of letters to his young apprentice called Wormwood. Here is a lengthy quote from the book in which Screwtape describes a great strategy in demonic warfare. Making us Christians think the spirit realm is not real.

"Our policy for the moment, is to conceal ourselves.  Of course this has not always been so.  We are really faced with a cruel dilemma.  When the humans disbelieve in our existences at we lose all the pleasing results of direct terrorism and we make no magicians. On the other hand, when they believe in us, we cannot make them materialists and skeptics.  At least, not yet.  I have great hopes that we shall learn in due time how to emotionalize and mythologize their science to such an extent that what is, in effect, a belief in us (though not under that name) will creep in while the human mind remains closed to belief in the Enemy. …If once we can produce our perfect work – the Materialist Magician, the man, not using, but veritably worshipping, what he vaguely calls ‘Forces’ while denying the existence of ‘spirits’ – then the end of the war will be in sight." (p31)

-C.S. Lewis

Screwtape Letters 

Screwtape writing to Wormwood giving him advice on keeping himself concealed and helping humans continue to disbelieve in the existence of demons

We could also say that our culture doesn't disbelieve in demonic or the supernatural rhealm, but we are just entertained by it. Witchcraft, the occult, and the like are huge selling phenomena in today's entertainment industry. That is even more dangerous. We see these things as practices and religions that entertain us is even more senseless to me. I leave you with a scripture that for us as Christians should sum up our biblical relationship with the adversary. 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:12, 13 ESV)

Is Fear Real?

I watched a good movie the other day.  It is called 'After Earth'. There was a very profound quote in the movie about fear. Will Smith is the hero character named General Cyper Raige which is by the way a pretty awesome name (way to go M. Night Shyamalan). In this particular scene he is giving his son advice on fighting an alien that can literally smell his fear. It is pretty spot on advice, and maybe even biblical. It could also be pretty helpful advice when you are fighting an alien that wants to tear you apart limb from limb, or maybe you are like me, just facing the unknown...

"Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity, Kitai (Jaden Smith character).  Do not misunderstand me. Danger is very real. But fear is a choice. We are all telling ourselves a story, and that day mine changed (because he decided not to fear)."

-Will Smith character playing General Cypher Raige in 'After Earth'-

It kind of sounds like a pretty wise man once said...

"And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not worry about your life, as to what you will eat; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:22-32 NASB). 

Lord help us turn our fear into faith.

Is UFC 166 the Answer to Our Masculinity Problem? Masculinity, Ministry, and the cultural slide. How Should We Respond?

I read an article recently about a famous Evangelical leader who was being parodied as appealing to men to be more alpha.  In the satirical piece, he was quoted as saying, “The problem with our churches today is that the lead pastor is some sissy boy who wears cardigan sweaters, has The Carpenters dialed in on his iPod, gets his hair cut at a salon instead of a barber shop, hasn’t been to an Ultimate Fighting match, works out on an elliptical machine instead of going to isolated regions of Russia like in Rocky IV in order to harvest lumber with his teeth, and generally swishes around like Jack from Three’s Company whenever Mr. Roper was around.”  The article went on to poke fun at men who bash on guys who don't spend every waking moment doing "masculine" things like changing the oil, watching football, beating their bare chest in front of the latest UFC 166, 



or Muy Thai stick fighting.  There's a crisis in the church today; we have a skewed understanding of true masculinity, which this article highlighted by exaggerating some of the views that are out there.

I believe in men being masculine, but we would be wise to find out what truly makes a man masculine? From examining scripture, I have four observations.

1. We need a healthy balanced definition of Masculinity. Webster defines the word masculine as "having qualities appropriate to or usually associated with a man." It is also defined as "courageous, bold, or strong."  Nothing about violence, machismo, or emotional distance, which some of these aforementioned activities can involve.  Do we need macho guys in the pulpit or men who are connected to their families, and wives in particular.  I have found that even the act of watching football can isolate me for a complete weekend (not to mention Thursday and Monday night). Some wives are virtually widowed in the Fall; I call them "football widows."  Is masculinity now equated with violence such as UFC, and football? Both of these have made me more violent over the years (and I have played football for 10 years of my life). Jesus shows us true masculinity.  The scriptures say about Jesus in Isaiah 53:9, "He had done NO VIOLENCE, and there was no deceit in his mouth." The scriptures also talk about doing violence to our wives in Malachi 2:16. The prophet says, "The man who hates and divorces his wife," says the Lord, The God of Israel, "Does violence to the one he should protect," says the Lord almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful."  Could unfaithfulness include loving a sport or hobby more than our spouse?  I think there should be a healthy balance of strength, and boldness, kindness, and tenderness in the biblical definition of masculinity, rather than the masculinity litmus test being your ability to bash someone's face in on UFC 166. Here are some other scriptures for your perusal: Ps. 11:5, Pr. 13:2, Is. 59:7, Matt. 11:12, Jer. 22:3; Ps 119:37.

2. Men in ministry need to be spirit filled and humble. We don't need men in ministry who are more effeminate; we don't need "studs" either.  I remember years ago our student ministry decided to stop attending a very popular camp with our students because of this very issue. We attended this camp for years, and then as I began looking around at their staff, they were all studs and studdettes.  There was not one minority, disabled, unattractive, or "un-cool" person on their staff from year to year. It was an unreal picture of the kingdom of God. Jesus ministered to the odd, hurting, needy, marginalized, leprous. He reached prostitutes, people with disabilities, the sick, and tax-collectors. It also seems like the biblical definition of the 'elder' or 'overseer' seems to fly in the face of what I am going to call the "new evangelical masculinity." I would actually consider this definition the height of masculinity.  In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul writes that a church leader "must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."  This passage seems to be the antithesis of the description of manliness that we're hearing from several evangelical church leaders lately.

3. We need leaders whose masculinity is evidenced in part by their transformational ministry. Transformational leaders are connected emotionally (to people and the Lord).  They feel deeply, act deeply, and worship affectionately.  Men, where is your affection for the savior? We go to concerts and get crazy, or a baseball game, or for that matter play video games for countless hours, but where is our excitement to worship Christ?  A.W. Tozer said, "Any man (or woman) who is bored or turned off by worship is not ready for heaven."  So my question to you is not, Are you a masculine leader? But, do you have a living, humble, needy, celebratory, affectionate, meditative, worshipful, loving, and tender, communion with Christ? If so, you are masculine by his standards.  If we say No to any of these things, and say "I'm not a very emotional person" then we may need to examine our hearts.  We need to pray and ask him to change us into a emotionally connected servant leaders, like Jesus our master.  I'll give you a few instances of how our master was compassionate, affectionate and emotional: Matthew 14:10-18; Matthew 20:30-34; Mark 8:1-6; Luke 7:12-15; Philippians 2:1-3; Matthew 9:36-38; Mark 1:40-42; Mark 6:34; John 11:32-38; Luke 19:36-41; James 4:9, 10; Matthew 13:15; I Thessalonians 2:1-19.

4. We need men who serve faithfully rather than seeking to be superstars in the church. For example, we don't need more multi-site churches beaming sermons into their venue via satellite.  As we're seeking to lead other men, we can give them opportunities to lead and invest in them. We can give them feedback and encourage them when they take those opportunities.  They will speak with their feet and walk out the door if we don't provide opportunities to express their pastoral gifting in this way.  We need more men of average intelligence, and average teaching skills, to be preaching the not-so-average gospel in the not-so-average power of the Holy Spirit!  Our men need to be empowered through training and service.  The "big ministry" and personality-centered ministry concept gives young men the impression that if they have only 200 or fewer people in their church, they're not adequate or successful in ministry.  Success is not how many butts are in our seats.  There are so many men out there who appear "average" in other people's estimation, but they're not average because they minister week in, and week out in the Holy Spirit's power!

In conclusion, I wholly disagree that the problem with the church today is not enough "masculine" men in ministry; we don't have enough men who call on the name of the best man in all of human history, the most humane and mighty man, Jesus.  No, not the most interesting man in the world from the Dos Equis commercials.  

No, "that one," the one who did seemingly un-masculine things.  He let evil men savagely disfigure him by beating him in the face and pulling his beard, the symbol of a Jewish man's masculinity.  He then let them put him on a cruel cross to do the most masculine act in all of history!  He took responsibility!  He took responsibility for your sin and mine.  That man is the ultimate measure of masculinity.  May we all as men measure up to that man Christ, "who emptied himself taking the form of a bond-servant; and being made in the likeness of men, being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  Can we all follow the example of Christ? Then and only then will we measure up as masculine men, and if that isn't very masculine in our culture, then I'm not masculine, and I don't want to be.  I want to be like Christ!

Book Richard To Speak For Your Event

Richard is currently serving as an evangelist, missional leader, and church planter of the newly formed LEAP Network in Germany. Most recently he was the student pastor at Creekside Community Church in San Leandro, CA for 8 years.  Richard graduated from Columbia International University (Columbia, South Carolina) in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Bible and Youth Ministry, all the while gaining valuable experience in youth ministry at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina.  Richard then moved to Savannah, Georgia where he was Minister to Students at South Effingham Community Church.  Richard returned to Columbia to finish his Masters degree in Leadership, Evangelism and Discipleship in 2004.  During his time in seminary, Richard worked as Minister to Students at Red Bank Baptist Church in Lexington, South Carolina.  He then served at Tommy’s Interactive Church in Columbia, South Carolina, where nearly the entire congregation was made up of students.  After finishing his degree, Richard worked with adolescents at a mental health hospital in Lexington, South Carolina.  Richard is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry degree at American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, CA (in partnership with Bakke Graduate University in Seattle) Richard is married to Simone whom he met while working with Tommy’s Interactive Church. Richard has two daughters and one son. Ana was born in 2006, Lydia was born in 2009, and Caleb was born November of 2011.  He enjoys sports, playing with his daughters, hanging out with his wife, and watching movies and their favorite TV shows together.  Richard is passionate about seeing an ever increasing number of students come to know, worship, and obey Jesus authentically. Richard has been Preaching and communicating to youth part time or full time since 1994.  His experience is vast, from speaking to small groups, to much larger crowds.  He is an engaging, funny, energetic, animated, and a passionate communicator.  He seeks to challenge students into greater relationship with the Lord or call them to make a commitment to him for the very first time.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BOOKING RICHARD TO SPEAK AT YOUR YOUTH GROUP, CHURCH, RETREAT, CAMP, OUTREACH EVENT, OR ANY OTHER EVENT PLEASE CONTACT RICHARD AT richardpmoore23@gmail.com  WITH AS MUCH DETAILS AS YOU CAN FILL OUT. QUESTIONS AT THE BOTTOM WILL HELP RICHARD UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS.

Reference Quotes from Past Ministry Partners

“I taught Richard Moore at Columbia International University. He was a fine student and frankly turned out to be one the most gifted graduates of our Youth Ministry major. I recommend him to you without reservation.”

-Michael Holt-

Professor of Youth Ministry

Columbia International University 1991-1998

“Richard is an exceptionally gifted speaker, who puts his words into action. Even years later, I still remember some of the messages he gave at "English Camps" here in Germany.”

-Sammy Dittmann-

Youth Pastor, Baptist Church

Essen, Germany

http://www.facebook.com/followmeessen

“Richard Moore is a man of great passion for Jesus. Richard is a godly man, great husband, and dad. He has a unique gift of communicating with a rare quality of authenticity and truth-telling. Richard is one who ministers in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

-Dr. David Olshine-

 Director of Youth Ministry, Family and Culture

Columbia International University

Co-Founder of Youth Ministry Coaches

“Richard is a gifted communicator with a heart for passionately communicating Biblical truth. His faithfulness to the Word, sensitivity to his listeners and pastoral care for people has impressed me greatly over my years of working with him. This is a man of faith boldly serving the Church and glorifying God"

-Brian Howard-

Former Program Director, Sonshine Specialized Camping Ministires
Current Student Ministries Programs Director

Calvary Community Church, Westlake Village, CA

“I have known Richard for around 17 years. He has been a Godly man and would do whatever it takes to reach people for the cause of Christ. I was fortunate to be on the search committee and Chairman of Deacons when Richard came to Red Bank Baptist Church. I saw both of my sons grow in Christ under Richards’s leadership.”

-Rev. Grady Harmon-

Former Chairman of the Deacon Board

Red Bank Baptist Church, Lexington, SC

"I have had the privilege and the blessing of working with Richard Moore at Tommy's Interactive Church in Columbia, SC and studying with him at Columbia International University. Richard is an excellent youth pastor and a committed student of God's word. Richard is passionate about seeing youth come to know Jesus and demonstrates competence and integrity in leadership and in ministry. Despite his many proficiencies in ministry, Richard is humble and dependent on God's Spirit to lead him. Richard chooses intentionally to "put on the towel" as he models Jesus' servant leadership style. It was a pleasure working with Richard and I only regret that we do not still get the opportunity to serve together."  

-Robbie Pruitt-

High School Bible Teacher

Quisqueya Christian School

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Former leadership team, Tommy's Interactive Church

"In our day and age, it is difficult to get someone to speak who is both passionate and knowledgeable. Richard is clearly both and this makes for a great speaker to students. I believe that across the country students are hungering for the Word of God delivered passionately. Richard is God's man for the job!!!"

-Adrian Despres-

Itinerant Evangelist

Kingdom Building Ministries 

Chaplain, University of South Carolina Football Team

Send Inquiries to richardpmoore23@gmail.com please try to answer these questions to the best of your ability...

1. What is the name of the event?
2. Contact Name:
3. What is your position held in relation to the event?
4. Phone Number:
5. Email Address:
6. Website Address:
7. Event Dates:
8. Where will the event be held?
9. What airport would Richard fly into?
10. When do you expect Richard to arrive at event?
11. When would Richard be available to return from event?
12. How many times will Richard be speaking?
13. How long should Richard plan to speak for each message?
14. When is the event scheduled (precise times of day)?
15. How many are expected to be in attendance?
16. What is the general age group of attendees?
17. What would you like Richard to speak on (Scripture, Topic)?
18. Would you cover all of Richard's expenses (airfare, hotel, food, transportation to and from event)?
19. Please feel free to list any other pertinent information:

Paul's Discipleship Strategy

Paul's Discipleship strategy was very very intense.  That is why it was also so effective.  One of the many passages where he expresses that strategy is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-19 where he expresses his deep affection for the Thessalonian believers. Actually I am pretty sure that if Paul read the title of my blog it would seem so foreign to him to call this a 'strategy' because it was so personal to him. That is the label we put on it in the modern era. All our attempts to disciple people into the life of Christ are, and have failed. We have for the most part relegated the discipleship life to what we as a church do on Sundays.  This would never have been able to fit into the practice of Paul. He could not have even have come close to accomplishing what he describes in this passage on Sundays. I have heard from a mentor and friend that a very famous preacher said that "discipleship happens for him during his sermons on Sundays"! I also heard from this same mentor that a youth pastor had been 'let go' recently after 10 years at a large church, and was devastated.  He was devastated because youth ministry is the ministry in churches, in my experience, that comes closest to what Paul talks about here.  In youth ministry over time you get really close to people in your desire to minister to them.  This has been my experience at least.  As I read and exegeted Paul's experience or 'strategy', if we have to call it that, of discipleship it blew me away how little of those things I actually did while discipleing students for the past 8 years. But in doing only some of them that is why it was still that hard to leave my most recent church like I did two weeks ago. because when you show a deep affection, your job then as a pastor becomes so personal it is not a job anymore.  Please read the following passage here and my notes of the things that Paul implemented with the Thessalonian believers and ask, Does my discipleship strategy line up with his...

For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness- nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost. But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while-in person, not in spirit-were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. For we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, more than once-and yet Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:1-19 NASB)

Here is a list of the things he did while among the Thessalonians:

1. Suffering (for the Gospel)

2. Boldness (in the Gospel)

3. Opposition (He faced Opposition to the Gospel)

4. Exhortation (A deep pleading to obey the Gospel)

5. Approved (He was deeply called by God) 

6. Entrusted (He was entrusted with the gospel and He entrusted them also with the sacred Gospel)

7. Speak to please God not men (Paul always sought to please Jesus through reliance on Him)

8. Non-flattering speech (He did not seek to flatter the Thessalonians but was in their face)

9. Non-greedy (He sought to never be a burden on them)

10. Non-glory seeking (He sought only God and His glory)

11. Gentle (as a nursing mother)

12. Affectionate

13. Labor (Faithfully labored among them)

14. Hardship (Faced great hardship for the gospel and them)

15. Proclaimed (Fearlessly)

16. Devoutly (He was devout so they could see holiness in action)

17. Uprightly (not just a holy life but he avoided things that could be construed as not being right)

18. Blamelessly (and walked a blameless life in Christ in front of them)

19. Exhorting (as a father does his children: Notice he made it personal by seeing himself as their mother and father Just a bit personal huh?)

20. Encouraging (as a father does his children)

21. Imploring (as a father does his children)

22. Constantly thanked God when the word was received (I am terribly poor at this! He rejoiced)

23. Connected in the spirit (He saw distance from them as an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to connect them deeper in Christ!)

24. Eagerness to see each other (How many times are we so eager to see each other that you can hardly stand the time when you are not together)

25. Enduring suffering (He endured suffering for them to get a glimpse into the sufferings of Christ)

26. Disciples are hope, joy, and crown of exultation in the presence of Jesus at His coming (Do I really think of the students that I have discipled over the years as my crown of exultation (rejoicing) when I stand before Jesus on the day of his return?)

If we are honest we are probably fall woefully short of this standard of discipleship that Paul gives here. Let us repent of our inadequacy. Let us run to Jesus the perfect discipler and "fisher of men", and ask Him to make us desperate for Him and His way of affection, boldness, suffering, gentleness, Holiness, and rejoicing that He lived in, and now lives in for us!

Here are a few other passages in 1 Thessalonians that I gleaned on how Paul felt about the Thessalonians. You can peruse then and ask God to change our heart for people and become the "Fishers of Men" that Jesus would have us become!

• "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor," (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4 NASB)

• "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words". (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4, 14-18 NASB)

• "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:4-11 NASB)

• "But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 NASB)

Here is a quick video of what it might cost us to be a disciple and a disciplemaker of Christ.

Ana Sings "Yes Jesus Loves Me" while falling asleep.

My Daughter Ana has down syndrome it also known as Trisomy 21 a third strand of Chromosome on the 21st set of Chromosomes.  Children and people with Down Syndrome experience global delays in speech, mental development, physical development, and many other health complications and risks.  She also developed a rare from of epilepsy at about 10 months old.  These episodes of seizures that she had delayed her even more. With all these factors, she has had a hard time becoming verbal. She is also very stubborn, and that has not helped much.  She must get that trait from me. My wife and I were sitting up watching a movie a few nights ago. It was not a particularly riveting film, and so I will not tell you the name of the film for the negative backlash that it might create (seeing as it won several Oscars). I will tell you however the movie Amazing Grace dealing with the same topic was much more powerful. Maybe that is because I am a Christian, and I want my social justice to affect my personal ethic, and vice versa. So we were practically falling asleep to this film and all of a sudden we heard our daughter singing something from her room dark room while falling asleep. It was an obvious melody, even though it was hard to make out what she was singing, or trying to sing. And then it became clear. She was singing "Yes Jesus Loves Me". It was a shock, surprise, and joy to hear it. We were both shocked together, and overcome with joy that our nonverbal daughter could first of all sing, and second that she could sing of the saviors love for her.  She then sang the chorus I am pretty sure "Yes Jesus Loves Ana, so Yeah".  You listen for yourself,and tell me what you think. Pretty AWESOME!!!