Bøger af Tom Spence

Kids get crazy messages these days. Some from television. Some from video games. Some from magazines. Some from friends. Yes, even some from teachers. And the craziest on the list, some from parents. We live in a time when people will believe almost anything. We live in a time when parents don't know what to teach their kids. Some parents don't want to teach their kids. And in each of these cases the kids get the short end of the stick. Too many people expect someone else to fix today's problems. Sometimes that happens. Sometimes we like the solution. Sometimes we don't. Making sure that our children know the truth is not a sometimes affair. What is truth? For some that is a tough question. It shouldn't be. Among all the horse hockey slung around these days masquerading as truth, there is a truth that stands above the fray and must be told. God loves you. Our children should hear this at least once a day. It should be on signs in their rooms. It should be in notes in their backpacks. It should be a thought that never escapes them during the day. It should be a topic of daily conversation. It is seldom any of those. That needs to change. Read this book to your children until they are old enough to read it for themselves. They need to know that the creator of all matter says that they matter and he loves them. God loves you.

Have you ever spent time pondering our existence? Have you ever wondered what the first people might have thought about life? We have the Bible that describes four separate creation accounts. The first two are more detailed than the others, but at least we have something to go by. The world has produced its own version of creation and evolution and tried to explain something out of nothing. Some folks get hung up on the biblical accounts and take them quite literally sometimes even to the point of being eisegetical. Sometimes we need creation to fit into our finite paradigms. We struggle with the explanation of the beginning, when truly no human can comprehend beginning. We came into a world that was already in existence. So how should we think and feel about the creation accounts that we have come to know? I suggest that you just take them as a faith statement. God made it all and it was all good. There is a little more to it than that but unraveling every detail of the creation is not required for salvation or eternal life. So let's have a little fun trying to envision those first humans as they contemplate some of the same questions that we do today.

It is a skit. It could even be a dramatic play. It does lend itself to a high quality video of the home-made variety. Perhaps it is meant to be read and recorded for audio playback without visual distraction. It is another conversation. It is a follow on conversation of two friends who wrestle with following Jesus in today's world. This time, however, there is just something amiss. There is a weariness that shouldn't be there. With eyes fixed on Jesus and all energy used to press on towards the goal, how can things still hurt so much? It's like somebody needs to call a doctor. It is good to have someone to talk with about these things. Is there no medicine in Gilead? Are there no doctors there? Why, then, have my people not been healed? Jeremiah 8:22 GNT

Did you ever think about the urgency with which first century Christians proclaimed the Gospel? It was as if they had very little time to complete this crucial work before Christ's return. Many eschatologists believe that the end times will see a world leader rise out of what was once the Roman Empire, destroy the temple in Jerusalem, and pursue the Jews into the desert. Did you know all this was accomplished in first century?

You know people that just seem so close to knowing the Lord. They talk about Jesus but just can't seem to fit him into that #1 spot. God makes sense to them. There are some educated people that deny an ultimate deity, but truly not that many. But some folks just can't go for a man who lived 2000 years ago being central to a true relationship with God. A once in the history of everything event-a man dying on a cross-just can't be the answer to fixing a world that seems to be advancing technologically at the speed of light while at the same time it is falling apart at the seams. How could Jesus be the answer? Am I a fool for even thinking he could be? This is a conversation between two friends, both intelligent and with the gifts of discourse. One knows Jesus as Lord and Savior and the other just can't make the leap. Don't over analyze the conversation. Just let it flow and speak to you as these two speak to each other.

This is an intense drama laced with wit and humor. A top level executive and a cleaning lady share an elevator for an evening. Why? They are stuck and nobody knows it. The pair exchange thoughts on life, work, love, and God. For some reason the elevator disarms the defense mechanisms normally in effect and the two talk--really talk about things people would like to talk about. The edginess, banter, and tears mix up this confined encounter that leads to truth, revelation, retreat, and more truth. It is called an antiphonal monologue for reasons only the final minutes will reveal. This is a challenging play for the stage as there are only two actors and one scene. There is no off stage time to recompose. This is for the serious drama club, community theater, or professional actor. It has the potential to breach areas often left overlooked.

Could a man sin before he was born? That's what the disciples asked Jesus when they came upon a man who was born blind. They asked Jesus, who sinned? They wanted to know if it was the man born blind from birth or the man's parents. Jesus could have shredded their thinking skills or bizarre theology; instead, he opened a window to see the economy of God. Could people not recognize the man who could now see even though they probably walked by him 2000 times or more over the past decade? Immediately after washing in the pool of Siloam, those gathered around him starting arguing if this was the same man. How could they not know? This opens a window to our human nature even when God has set a path for us to live with a divine nature. What do you do when you encounter something this miraculous and YouTube and Facebook won't be invented for another two millennia? You haul the man before the Pharisees. If you thought courtroom drama on shows like Law and Order were interesting, then you will love the drama that unfolds here. Could a man healed on the Sabbath have known a man sent directly from God? Surely God would have told him to heal on another day. Witness the Pharisees struggle with the testimony and ultimately the teaching of a man who had been blind his entire life until this day. How would such a man fair in a courtroom setting against the lawyers of the day? What happened when the parents had to choose between loyalty to themselves or their adult son? Who was really blind? You can read this in the 9th chapter of John's Gospel. I would encourage you to do that several times and then considered if members of your youth group, adult drama group, or community theater might present this to many as a message in drama. This play is designed for a large cast, but few have substantial speaking parts. It may be performed with an elaborate set or with a plain stage. The message comes with the dialogue and a very unique, out of context character by the name of Common Tater. It will convey a message faithful to the gospel text and do so with just the right touch of levity. A ministry and rehearsal plan is also included. The cast will be blessed as much as those who enjoy the performance.

Christianity for Marines is not about a special type of Christianity. It is about special individuals called Marines who follow Christ. Discover things about following Jesus that you may not have realized that you already know and practice. Christians may find that there is little or no dichotomy between their faith and their fighting organization. Semper Fidelis!

It is a story. It is a skit. It could even be a dramatic play. It does lend itself to a high quality video of the home-made variety. Perhaps it is meant to be read and recorded for audio playback without visual distraction. It is another conversation. It is a follow on conversation of two friends who wrestle with following Jesus in today's world. This time, however, there is an awareness of some spiritual optics-vision in a world gone blind. That's a good post modern term for eyes to see. What happens when a believer realizes that he or she has been given eyes to see the way of God? It is good to have someone to talk with about these things.

How many Christians do you know who are wielding a sword that was never theirs to swing? Are you one of those Christians? What in the world am I talking about? How do you feel when you read the words, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?" Are you glad you are saved? Do you feel like God will twist arms and induce pain until the unbelieving say the words? Sadly, too many Christians believe just that. They believe that God will force confessions from the unbelieving world. What happens to the words, "To the glory of God the Father when he extracts forced confessions?" Maybe it is time to set aside our personal desires and examine some scriptures that might just lead us to different conclusions. Maybe it is time to invite God's own Spirit into our reading of these precious words. Are you up to the challenge?

This is a flexible instruction package that ranges from a single classroom lecture and discussion to multiple and varied sessions. For those with few other rehabilitation or life skills programs, all 7 hours are recommended. For students that have addressed the concept of paradigms or belief systems in other classes, the 1 hour needed for the paradigms class could be omitted or truncated as a review. The Acceptance of Authority class requires some knowledge of paradigms and perception and attempting to sandwich in a few comments on the subject within the existing lesson plan presents too many concepts in a short period. The Grapes of Wrath facilitated discussion builds upon the Acceptance of Authority class, but has general utility for a broad range of other life skill classes. Acceptance of Authority (1 1/2 - 2 hours) The Grapes of Wrath (4 hours) The Power of a Paradigm (Optional 1 hour) This is a lesson plan designed for inmates, youth with discipline problems, and other groups that desire to return to living within the acceptable bounds of law and ethics. Purchase of a single book authorizes that user to reproduce student handouts for his/her use in class. Institutions should purchase one book per instructor.

Does this happen where you live? Children dropped off at school. Children dropped off at day care. Children dropped off at church. Children who make their own meals. Children with no set time to be home. We are not talking about high school juniors and seniors. This is the life of many children from the time they can walk and dress themselves until they move out of the house. Dare we call this environment a home? So many children in this country seem to be inconveniences to their parents. So many children in this country have been regarded as property. We are appalled when this is the culture of a distant country. We can't believe that it was this way in ancient times. We ignore it in our own backyard. Many have mercy on the children of these parents-as we should. Many do not speak the truth to the parents of these children. What is that truth? That many have abandon parenting. That many have forsaken the duties that go with the wonderful gift from God that we call children. That we who know better have done nothing about addressing the root of the problem. That together-those who know what's wrong and do nothing in collusion with those who don't seem to care about their children's welfare-we have created a generation of Throw Away Kids. Are we content to just standby and do nothing? Do we have the courage to speak the truth in love to the parents? Will we assist these parents who have abandoned their parental leadership role in becoming real parents? Do we have the courage to confront without condemning? Are we content with a generation of Throw Away Kids?

The Hebrew people used to talk about God and his laws when the were at home or walking or just about any time of the day. We don't talk about God that much these days. We ask for help. We pray for others. We sometimes even give thanks, but God as the topic of our conversation rarely makes it out of the Bible study group. We all need a friend or two just to talk about the mysteries of our lives and the mysteries of God. We need someone with whom we can have good conversations about God.

Is it heaven or is it hell? Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 That sounds like one day everyone, everywhere, will by the power of the Holy Spirit not by some brute force, joyfully confess Jesus is Lord! Love really does win! Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15 Great! That sounds like some will burn. God desires none to perish but the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Does God not get what he wants? Some say that they can't believe in God if he sends people to hell. Others say they can't believe in him if he doesn't. What do I do?

This is the book that will change America. This is the book that will reduce prison populations and increase graduation rates. This is the book that America has been begging to be written. Acceptance of Authority gets to the root of so many problems that we face in this nation. At the core of conflict after conflict is the unwillingness to accept the authorities of this age. What gets in our way? Our perception of fairness for one and our blindness to so many paradigms at work in our lives that put us on the wrong side of the law or other authorities. School counselors, program managers for prisons and juvenile facilities, teachers, and most of all-parents-need this navigation tool. Sadly, we have been addressing this problem at the back end of the process for decades. It is time to understand and teach acceptance of authority as a tool for successfully navigating our modern world and for achieving the results that we desire for our lives.

Out of the Box is a collection of exercises often called brainteasers, mind benders, or sometimes just puzzles. Clues are provided but you will have to break away from your traditional thinking to answer many of the more difficult teasers. Topics range from music to politics, sports to entertainment, general knowledge to things only a road warrior, historian, or football buff would know. Many of these brainteasers are alphanumeric, while others are more phonetic, and still others are visual. I first published these online beginning in 2000 and have consolidated the best in this single edition. These are fun to work alone or in groups. When solving these by yourself, I recommend that you take only a single exercise and work it until complete. Make a copy of it and carry it with you for a day. Many of the answers will come to your right away and some that you didn't get immediately will come to you at the strangest times. Your mind will surprise you as it deduces answers hours after you have put the book aside. I have used these most frequently in groups. They are great icebreakers, warm-up exercises, and transitions to new topics. When using these with groups, I recommend two or three minutes for individual effort, followed by five or six minutes of collective effort. This combination usually produces better results and energizes the group for your presentation or discussion. Encourage your groups to work these aloud. You will be surprised at how the words of one member will trigger thoughts in another. Dive headfirst into these teasers and let your mind surprise you. Each Out of the Box exercise is provided on a single page with the answers on the back. While some exercises target specific eras, most include a mix of old and new and are fun for groups of diverse ages and tastes. While these materials are copyrighted, the book owner may reproduce each of the 100 brainteasers for any group in which he or she is present. Use these for training, social gatherings, family reunions, or for a long road trip or plane ride. Most of all, enjoy them!

Tell it to the Marines In 1664, King Charles II had been told strange stories of fish that could fly. Before dismissing this story, he summoned an officer of the Royal Marines to his court and the officer verified the existence of such creatures. The king then declared that in all such matters, these stories should be told to the Marines as they have surely been everywhere and seen everything. Since that time Marines have heard some tall tales, verified as many as they have dismissed, and told quite a few of their own. When it's a Marine's turn to tell an unusual tale, it's generally called a sea story. Sea stories distinguish themselves from the ordinary yarn by two basic characteristics. First they are told either by a Marine or a Sailor. Second, their veracity is introduced as incontestable by use of a colorful Aristotelian metaphor, with emphasis on the colorful. Sea stories encompass every variety of experience from stories in a combat zone to events in the home, but are usually marked by humor or an unusual insight. The sea story is a right of passage for a Marine. Enlistment, boot camp, and graduation are all significant events for a young man or woman, but these new Marines know they have joined an elite club when they tell their first sea story. Sea stories sometimes contain what euphemistically might be called colorful language. These stories are told in the full spirit of the events described without most of this language but with the full sea-going color you would expect from a Marine. I hope you will enjoy them.

Joey Summer is a boy who loves baseball. Joey challenges ideas that his friends think are unchangeable. Joey believes that he can compete against the older boys. Faced with few places to practice, an older taunting sister, and a passion for the game not shared by his friends, Joey sets his sights on hitting the toughest pitchers in the league. Encouraged only by his silent companion, Tacos the family dog, Joey discovers that he might just have a little more support than he realizes. Tough Day at the Plate is a great read for baseball lovers or anyone who believes that hard work does pay off.

The modern church has conformed to the world in so many ways. We have become transactional, but we are sent into the world to be transformational with the good news of God's love for us in Jesus Christ. My metaphor for our transactional nature is the vending machine. Form in. Food out. No connections made. We must conform to the patterns of the world no more. We must smash the vending machine model as if it were an Asherah pole or an altar to Baal. We take good news to the lost and connect those who have professed Jesus but are disconnected from the body of Christ. We connect the disconnected.

Sometimes you just need to change the way you do things. Sometimes a short skit is the right answer. Sometimes there just isn't time to do that, or is there? These are for churches and youth groups or drama teams, but just about anyone can handle a part in these short skits. These short skits are designed to be put into use without extensive rehearsals. One or two read-throughs with some motivated cast members can cut the prep time to 20 minutes in a crunch. These short skits do not have to be memorized. The script or some notes can be hidden behind something on stage so the actors can glance at them and stay in character at the same time. The set for each skit can be as elaborate or Spartan as is desired and as time permits. Most props will be readily available in the church or among the cast members' households and will not need to be made or purchased. Youth groups and even adults will enjoy presenting these and watching them. They may be preceded or followed by a message or used as standalone messages. Use these to change the pace and have a little fun while you bring glory to God.

Time and time again we help people who are struggling by giving money or food or a ride. Time and time again they turn away from the people who helped them, away from God, and away from the church that paid their water bill and go right back to the lifestyle which enslaves them. Are people actually comfortable in their poverty? Is there nothing that we who have been blessed with abundance can do to fix the problem? The problem is that we try to fix the problem without ever addressing the problem. There will always be poverty so long as there is exclusion. Most of the time that we have donated food or money, we have also helped people in need continue to worship their false gods, be they self pity, a mindset of entitlement, or belief that they are a victim. The most valuable thing we can give is the bread of life and living water, and inclusion in the family of faith. In true Christian fellowship there are no outsiders. Finding abundance in this century is centered upon inclusion.

Ben Franklin once said: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been about 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; From spiritual faith to great courage; From courage to liberty; From liberty to abundance; From abundance to selfishness; From selfishness to apathy; From apathy to dependence; From dependence back into bondage." It seems that we are on this very course. How do we maintain the principles and values of this Grand Experiment without refreshing the tree of liberty with more blood? This short work hopes to challenge some current thinking and inspire others to reset the foundation of this country so that the blessing of liberty will be available to our posterity as well.

Profanity is everywhere. It seems to be an accepted norm these days. Profanity is mainstream. Is that OK with you? Is there a way to change the current trend? Is there a time and a place for profanity? This book is a one hour lesson plan with student handouts for groups that want to reduce or even eliminate profanity from their lexicon. It is designed for correctional institutions, juvenile programs, AA and NA groups, and even church groups that have recognized the ubiquitous nature of profane language making its way into area previously "off limits" to such vernacular. The lesson is straightforward and practical. It calls upon students to share their experiences and to consider very direct ways to address the problem. A one hour lesson won't fix the problem, but it might just be enough to start the process. This book should be procured for each instructor. Student handouts are reproducible.