Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Tue May 3, 2022
I moved around a little in high school. In fact, I went to three different high schools, my last three years, in three different states! (At the time, I was not a happy camper but looking back I am thankful for the way God used those moves to shape me and the calling on my life…but that’s another blog for another day!) In each new school, I distinctly remember being the “new guy,” which carried various implications and outcomes. One of those outcomes, was that I was an “outsider”. Groups, cliques, and “clubs” were pretty much formed in the school, church, and sports team…and I was clearly not a part of them. Even though I wanted in, I did not have an invitation to be “in”. On occasion, someone from within a “club” would became a friend which might eventually gain me entrance into the group. However, there were always a few groups that never let me in and after a while, I quit wanting to be in those groups.
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Apr 25, 2022
Have you ever misread someone?
Have you ever made a judgement about someone only to discover later (if you are being honest) you were wrong! Years ago, I was planting a church and struck up a conversation with a new family that visited with us. As a church planter, people were the focus and having more of them was the means of survival! However, I was not 5 minutes into this conversation, and I began to think, “I don’t think I like this guy that much”. Of course, that was the conversation going on in my head while I was still verbally engaged with him. Fast forward a few weeks and they were still at the church and now looking to join a Bible study small group. My wife and I were about to begin one, but I made sure that they were “assigned” to a different group. Fast forward a year and they were some of our best friends. We had them over to the house many times, at their house often, and stayed connected even after we moved to another ministry. He and I met often for movie nights, sports, and conversations.
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Apr 18, 2022
When I three years old I suffered from convulsions. If you are not familiar with what that might be, it is exactly what it sounds like! It is a seizure-like moment in which I would shake and lose balance and mobility. I don’t remember them, but my mom certainly does! There was one episode I had while we were visiting with extended family. My “seizure” caused me to fall into a pool. My mom could not swim but jumped in after me anyway. Eventually we both made it out of the pool but I swallowed enough water that I quit breathing. In rushing me to the hospital, my uncle gave me mouth to mouth to resuscitate me
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Apr 11, 2022
Confession! Our TV stays on the HGTV channel more than any other channel! To maintain some sense of my dignity, I want to think sports programs are right up there but since I watch those on a variety of channels, HGTV would still win out as the most-watched channel.
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Apr 4, 2022
At the start of training camp in 1961, Vince Lombardi walked into the locker room of the Green Bay Packers and said to his team what would become one of the most iconic quotes in sports history… “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Tommy DeRamus | Posted on Mon Mar 28, 2022
I’m a rule follower. I like to know the rules for what I am expected to do, and when I know the rules I do my best to obey them. And I really like it when everyone around me also follows the rules!
Good leaders understand that in order to get the results they want from their teams they need to clearly explain the rules the team members need to follow as they do their jobs. When the team knows what the expected outcome is and the rules they need to follow to get to that outcome, then everyone is one the same page, working together for the desired result.
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Maggie Baber | Posted on Mon Mar 21, 2022
Sermon: To the Praise of His Glory | Ephesians 1:11-14
Mar. 20, 2022
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Mar 7, 2022
Life gets busy. Life can be hard at times. We have things that press our time; responsibilities with work, family, and friends. It’s so easy to keep our eyes fixed on all that happens around us. And as we live our lives, we are often so focused on these things, that they become our identity.
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Tue Mar 1, 2022
Sermon: The Urgency of the Mission
Feb. 27, 2022
Live Sent Today
Posted in Missions | By Shades Staff | Posted on Mon Feb 21, 2022
Years ago, I read a story about a guy who started a new job and determined that he would make sure that his coworkers would know that he was a Christian. For the next several weeks, he showed up early, stayed late. He would finish projects before the deadline. He kept his desk clutter free and organized. He responded to stressful situations with optimism and resolve. He was courteous, professional, and helpful. He knew that others were watching so day after day he lived this way believing that they would see Christ in him.