The New Year is often a time of spiritual reflection. And when searching for answers on life’s deeper meaning, many people turn to the Bible.
While I have a seminary education and study the Bible on a regular basis, I still feel like what I don’t know far exceeds what I do know about what its truths.
But I will say the scriptures have proven to be a reliable source of guidance for every single area of my life. Its teachings are practical, inspirational and eternal in application. So here are 3 guidelines to help you get the most from reading the Bible.
The Bible Is Relevant To Modern Life
Critics point out that the Bible is thousands of years old. An ancient document about ancient people speaking on far removed events not relevant to modern life.
But read it from cover to cover and you’ll discover eye-opening similarities between then and now. Okay, some of the Old Testament books get a bit dry.
But no other document in the world speaks with its candor about the reality, the struggles, the tragedies and triumphs of human life. All the events that took place thousands of years ago are taking place today.
The Bible covers every issue we face today and pulls no punches. It is transparent…even raw in how it honestly addresses…
Murder
Rape
Adultery
Incest
War
Sexuality
Eternal Life
Money
Success
Power
Relationships
Love
Peace
Contentment
And the list goes on
The Bible speaks with authority. Offers practical insights and advice. And in spite of all life’s difficulties, still presents hope. There is no other book that is more relevant for life today.
The Bible Considers Itself Absolute Truth
This is probably the biggest reason the Bible is rejected in our modern society. It is written as a prescription. It should be followed according to doctor’s orders.
But many of those prescriptions are uncomfortable and culturally unpopular. Love my enemies? Seriously? I’m struggling to love my family and friends.
So rather than conform our lives to its teachings, we conform its teachings to our lifestyle.
How?
By calling truth relative and treating the Bible like a menu selection. Pick and choose the parts you like and reject the ones you don’t.
Not how the Bible is designed for use, but still a worthwhile endeavor. Because truth is truth. And when you follow it…even in parts…even simply as good advice…you’ll benefit.
Because treating other people the way you want to be treated is not only a Biblical truth. It’s a sound principle that pays off in positive, practical ways.
But if you want to experience the Bible’s complete effect. If you want to experience its full, healing power. Then you have to follow the complete prescription.
Why?
The Bible Claims There Is Power In Its Words
The Bible claims to be the very Word of God. And it says those words are alive and active…penetrate even to dividing soul and spirit…judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Wow. Pretty deep, huh?
To be honest, I can’t fully explain what that means. I can say, God’s Word is not a magic formula. Words you repeat like hocus pocus, abra cadabra and poof, things occur. I will also add my own life is not a perfect example of any of them. Same is true for everyone else.
But they are words you embrace. Practices you put into effect. Principles you follow. Many of them are very simple. Hardly any are easy.
I will also say they are personally transforming. At least, it’s true in my own life and I’ve observed it in others too.
The key is in how you approach the Bible. If you read it like a historical document. Or looking for loopholes, special exemptions or to justify your behavior, you’ll probably experience limited benefits.
But if you read it with an open mind. With a willingness to receive it as absolute truth. And follow its prescription. It will change everything. Beginning with you.
Chip Tudor is a professional copywriter,
author and Pastor of Community Life
at Fairhaven Church in Dayton, Ohio.
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Sports often lure people away from church. But a church intramural sports league can grow your men’s ministry.
And when used strategically, a church intramural sports league can also be an effective tool for church outreach. Here’s how.
A Church Intramural Sports League Engages Men On The Sidelines At Church
According to the statistics, a typical church congregation is 61% female and 39% male. And that’s just attendance. Talk about actual participation in church life and the ratio shoots up to 70% – 80% female.
For the most part, men sit on the religious sideline. First by choosing not to attend church and then when they do, it’s worship attendance only.
When I took on leadership of the men’s ministry at my church, this staggering mismatch in gender involvement was like facing a climb up Mount Everest.
Why?
Well, men are not naturally relational like women. Women enjoy drinking coffee together and talking about their family. Men don’t.
But men are mission oriented and will aspire to a cause.
And that’s what a church intramural sports league gives them. An objective. A mission.
An Intramural Sports League Creates A Team Spirit That Can Be Spiritually Applied
For the most part, men prefer action. They’re warriors. A church intramural sports league gives them an opportunity to compete…to win. And winning is an achievement that men value.
And as they compete as a team…as they strive to win, they also build comradery with teammates.
Although men don’t relate like women, they do relate. They bond together as they pursue a mutual goal. And that goal can be turned into a spiritual purpose. A shared brotherhood.
An intramural sports league presents another distinct advantage. The league is built completely within the church. Guys playing against other guys from the same church.
Sure. It’s still competitive. Everyone plays to win. And sometimes, tempers flare a little. But it exists within a greater community that is part of a greater purpose.
And when the game is over, it encourages guys to part as brothers.
An Intramural Sports League Can Move Men To Take The Next Step
Team coaches play a key role in a church intramural sports league. Their leadership exerts influence on men to take the next step. It is a critical component in the engagement process.
For this reason, I’m careful about the men I recruit as coaches. They must set the team agenda and lead by example. Because they are the bridge that leads from the court to the church service.
When team unity is formed through a church intramural sports league and coaches exert influence, it helps move men together into spiritual activities. Perhaps, not all at once.
Most people will probably agree it includes one or all of them.
But where do they come from? Blessings randomly sprinkled from heaven? A successful enterprise? An enlighten state of being?
Or maybe something you do? Like giving back to the community or pampering yourself with a soothing hot tub after the kids are in bed?
Because if these words spoken by Jesus Christ are true, then why are so many people miserable? Why is Christmas saturated with sentimental feelings, and yet, the highest point of suicides during the year?
It’s often a time we turn to faith for answers. So as you reflect on life’s deeper meanings during this Christmas season and perhaps your own quest for the abundant life, here are some thoughts to consider.
To Find An Abundant Life Seek a Reliable Source of Faith
I believe happiness and joy are universal gifts from God that are available to everyone regardless of your belief system. Purpose you discover. Contentment you learn.
And we’re all turning to something in our search for them.
What is it for you? Is it proven? Reliable? Authentic? This is where you start.
And as you search, keep this principle in mind: Intangible rewards come from an intangible source. I think this is where many people go wrong.
They pursue the tangible—like money—to gain the intangible—like happiness. But it only leads to what king Solomon calls chasing after the wind. You can’t get there because the two run on parallel tracks.
Of course, there are many intangible paths to choose from. Which is the right one? And how can you know?
I’ve chosen Christianity as the most unique among all religions, paths to enlightenment and sources of happiness, peace, contentment and purpose. I talk more specifically about what makes it unique in my e-book, Christianity for the Average Joe. Check it out for a conversational explanation of what the Christian faith is all about.
Jesus Christ, its founder, claims to be God and the source of abundant life. Something only he offers. An exclusive claim and a big one at that.
Was he egotistical or self-delusional? And does he deliver?
Well, his path is not all that attractive to a contemporary mindset. It features denying yourself, following him and obeying his commands. So not only is he crazy, you’re a little crazy to follow him.
Which maybe explains why there’s not a bigger crowd following him today.
Even though I don’t think happiness, peace, joy, contentment and purpose are exclusive to following Jesus, he enhances them. Drives them deeper into my life. And builds in a resiliency that flourishes even through life’s ups and downs.
To Find An Abundant Life Embrace a Life Long Faith Journey
If you prefer something rational, materially rewarding or more inward and mystical, forget Jesus. Following him is the opposite of all that.
It’s a faith journey that’s outward focused—an approach radically different than every other religion and spiritual teaching. A formula that lives out his practical instructions in a community of believers.
Rather than a short-term fix, it’s a long term solution. And that’s what you should look for. Something that endures for a lifetime in the realities of a confusing world.
Contrary to some opinions, Christianity doesn’t have all the answers. There’s a daily struggle with doubts and your own, imperfect humanity. But there’s also an unexplainable, redemptive and personal presence that empowers and transforms you from the inside out.
And along with the other intangibles of happiness, joy, contentment and purpose, you find the most elusive, yet powerful expression on earth…hope. In this, Christianity stands alone.
To Find An Abundant Life Pursue a Faith that Keeps Pleasure in Proper Perspective
Ever watched a TV or movie scene where someone stumbles across the desert, dying of thirst and sees an oasis in the distance, but when they get there it’s a mirage?
That’s how pleasure is.
Like happiness and joy, I believe it’s a universal gift from God for our enjoyment. And when exercised and moderated within its design enhances joy, happiness, peace and contentment.
But ignore the instructions on proper use and what is intended as wholesome and sweet quickly turns unwholesome and sour. Followed by emptiness…longing…even bondage.
Pleasure seduces and allures with its charm. But when experienced only for its own sake, is a mirage. Another dead-end path to happiness and joy that leaves you feeling cheated and empty.
It contributes to and is part of an abundant life. But is unsatisfying by itself.
I guess, when you get down to it, the abundant life is so much of what so few of us want to pursue. And therefore, find it elusive. Always beckoning…and just out of reach. When it’s right in front of us all the time.
I wish you the best in your search. And hope you enjoy an abundant life and meaningful experience this Christmas season.
As a professional, freelance copywriter, one of my specialties is corporate blog writing.
I recently quoted a price to write a series of corporate blogs for the marketing director of a medium size corporation. I had written other marketing and public relations material for her so we had a working relationship.
But for the corporate blog, she’d been using a blog writing service and paying $50 per blog article. My quote, as a freelance copywriter, was considerably higher. And it created a dilemma. She liked the quality of my copywriting, but was unsure about paying a much higher rate than the blog writing service.
I explained that as a freelance copywriter, I could not compete at the rate the blog writing service offered. If price was the determining factor, I understood if she went with the blog writing service instead of me. It was and I lost the gig.
Oh, the trials and disappointments of the freelance copywriting life.
Since then I’ve acquired other corporate clients that gladly pay my rate to write their corporate blogs. And it raises the question: Why pay a freelance copywriter for your corporate blog when a blog writing service is so much cheaper?
In Corporate Blog Writing A Copywriter Writes for People and SEO Ranking
In corporate blog writing there are two audiences. The human audience the audience that reads it and the web spiders that crawl it for content to list in search engines. A freelance copywriter writes for both.
Your blog article should include 3% to 5% of the keywords you’re interested in along with F2 tags those spiders will pick up to rank your corporation higher in the search engine page results.
At the same time, the keywords must be artfully inserted and the article engaging for readers. It takes both time and effort to accomplish.
For the writer of a blog writing service making $30 to write a 500 word blog article, speed is essential because you have to write several articles a day to make money. You’ll likely focus on either SEO or content. To do both and do it well will slow you down considerably.
But as a freelance copywriter charging an hourly rate, my focus is on carefully balancing the two in a blog article that gains both page ranking and readership. I don’t pad my time, but I don’t let time determine the pace. It’s all about delivering a quality product.
In Corporate Blog Writing A Freelancer Writes Persuasively
A corporate blog should attract potential customers. So it should do more than simply provide information. It should persuade the audience your corporation has the solution they’re looking for. And this is where an experienced, freelance copywriter excels.
He’ll use a conversational tone of voice. An engaging story. Even, perhaps, a little humor to keep the audience’s attention. And he’ll address problem areas for the audience and subtly position his corporate client as the hero.
On one occasion, a persuasive story I wrote led to a $100,000 sale for the company. I think that corporate client will tell you my rate was an incredible value to them.
There’s a certain psychology to persuasive writing. A bit of Freudian psychoanalytical leveraging. And it comes naturally to freelance copywriters since we’re all slightly out of our minds to choose the profession in the first place.
In Corporate Blog Writing A Freelancer Provides Personal Service
When you contract a freelance copywriter, you deal directly with that writer. We’ll communicate by phone, Skype or e-mail. And we’ll respond quickly because we know that prompt, customer service is important.
Most of us have charming personalities too, but that’s another blog article.
Blog writing services keep you away from the writers. Your directions are filtered, which promotes misunderstanding and makes it harder to clearly communicate the message you want delivered.
A freelance copywriter will also personalize your message. I encourage client phone interviews because I often pick up emotional inflections that help me know what to emphasize in the copy. I also gain industry terms and often, corporate language that adds a unique voice to the corporate blog.
So if cost is the bottom line for your corporate blog, then a blog writing service is the way to go. But if you’re looking for balanced SEO and quality content, persuasion and personal service, a freelance copywriter is the right choice.
Corporations that choose freelance copywriters to write their corporate blogs consider value rather than cost. Because they know that value can have a big payoff.
Humor writing by exaggeration is a common writing technique in humor storytelling. Like when sharing about a funny incident you observed during the day with your friends or family.
And as you tell the story, you exaggerate in a few places, because, well, it’s more entertaining. And everyone laughs as expected.
So you tell it again to another group and it’s even funnier than before.
Why?
Because you increased the drama and embellished it more than the first time. Add some here, take away a little there. Or perhaps insert your own, humorous, color commentary. In essence…you exaggerate the truth.
Humor writing by exaggeration is based on a simple premise. Take the truth and stretch it. The humor comes from how creatively, and how much you’re able to stretch without going too far.
So here are three ways to use exaggeration in your pursuit of humor writing.
Writing Humor through One line Exaggeration Jokes
There are two parts to a one liner exaggeration joke. The set-up and punch line.
The one liner, exaggeration joke was a regular part of the comedy routine used by former Tonight Show host, Johnny Carson. In fact, he often used the audience to set-up the joke during his monologue.
Johnny: I visited a small town the other day.
Audience: How small was it?
Johnny: It was so small…
…you had to make a reservation to use the parking meter
…during snowstorms, salt was spread using a salad shooter
…the municipal water system’s pump was supplied by Water Pik
The set-up line leads you toward a general assumption and the punch line surprises you with a twist you didn’t expect. One that exaggerates the truth to a level of absurdity.
Writing Humor Through Exaggerated Anecdotes
Humorous, anecdotal stories—like the ones you tell about your day—are more than just a joke consisting of set-up and delivery. They’re universal in nature because they represent an average, everyday life. Funny stories that could happen to any of us.
Often it’s truth with an emotional aspect to it. Like an embarrassment, unpleasant experience or pain that everyone relates to in some fashion.
Like your last visit to the dentist who had an unhappy childhood and now takes sadistic delight in tooth extraction.
Dave Berry, Bill Cosby and Mark Twain all used exaggeration in anecdotal narratives.
Here’s Mark Twain describing the sour experience of eating his first tamarind.
They pursed my lips till they resembled the stem-end of a tomato, and I had to take my sustenance through a quill for twenty-four hours. They sharpened my teeth till I could have shaved with them, and gave them a wire edge that I was afraid would stay, but a citizen said, “no, it will come off when the enamel does” –which was comforting at any rate.
Writing Humor through Exaggerated Characters
When writing short, humorous skits, there’s not much time for character development. So I create exaggerated characters by using common stereotypes.
The vain, female Diva, the dumb jock, the shifty guy lurking in the shadows, the nerdy geek and the miserly accountant.
Stereotypes make funny characters because your audience already knows something of the character’s motivation and reasons behind what they say and do.
Of course, the stereotype is just the start. Next you exaggerate the stereotype to the Max.
The female Diva is not just vain. She’s so vain that whenever she sees her reflection, she pauses to appreciate it. The dumb jock is so clueless he doesn’t realize the football helmet he misplaced is on his head. And the nerdy geek is so socially awkward he talks to computers like they’re people.
People laugh at them because these exaggerated, stereotypes don’t represent anyone in real life. Even though everyone can probably think of someone that’s a close resemblance.
So when you need to add humor to your writing, start with exaggeration. You’re probably already better at it than you think.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books on Amazon.com, articles on his blog, and writes copy for a variety of advertising and marketing communications clients.
Do you like reading books with humor?
Then check out my Christian detective novels Soul Pursuit and Finding Grace. You’ll enjoy engaging stories with a Christian message, fun characters, and witty dialogue.
A Church intramural sports league is a great way to engage young men in your church. Here are three advantages an intramural league offers over an inter-church sports league.
The Difference Between an Inter-Church & Intramural Sports League
Let’s be clear on the difference between an inter-church and intramural league.
In an inter-church league, you form a team—like basketball, softball, volleyball, etc.—from within your church and compete against teams from other churches in your community.
The league is a joint effort among participating churches and is led by representatives from each church.
An intramural league is formed by creating teams from within your congregation. It offers three advantages over an inter-church league.
A Church Intramural Sports League Engages More People
In an Inter-church league, you’ll engage 10 people on your basketball and volleyball team and around 15 for softball. And there’s competition on who makes the team roster and plays.
But in an intramural league, multiply 10 players per team times 4- 8 teams and you engage 40-80 people! So there’s room for everyone that wants to play.
The task of engaging that many people may even sound a bit daunting.
Competition releases the warrior side in men. Rather than discourage it, I plan for and even promote a competitive league environment. But it must be managed.
It’s difficult to exercise control over coaches and players from other churches in an inter-church league. But the players and coaches in an intramural league are your church members.
You recruit and direct the coaches, establish the direction and set expectations of behavior. And you’re the authority who enforces expectations and maintains accountability.
An Intramural Sports League Promotes Community
When different churches compete against one another, the “my church is better than your church” mentality is always present.
But in an intramural league, everyone is from the same church. You worship, pray, study and serve together.
We also strategically plan fellowship opportunities during and at the end of the season to promote unity.
Even though you play hard, and perhaps, become a little testy in the heat of competition, it’s easier to let it go after the game because there is a greater sense of unity.
So now that you understand the advantages of an intramural sports league and the potential for engaging men in church life, why not start building your league?
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