We All Speak

Pastor Shot...Lived a Life of duplicity

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:36:00 +0000

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/04/georgia.pastor.shot/index.html

Come to the River

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Refresh: Warning Signs

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:16:00 +0000

I am preaching a series through the book of Ezekiel. This week's sermon in on Ezekiel 5 - Warning Signs. I am going to use this video to introduce the passage...

The Father Friendly Factor

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Are You Father-Friendly?

More and more men state that work-family balance issues prevent them from being a successful parent, and more and more women are saying that they want their husbands to be more available so that they can balance their work-family priorities, as well.

I was privileged to talk with several other experts on Kojo Nnamdi's NPR show last week - Work-Life Balance : A Male Perspective. As Generation Y men enter the workforce and become parents, they're placing more emphasis on their role as a father and are looking for companies who will do the same, even in tougher economic times.

With Father's Day just passed, it's a good time to analyze what are you doing for the fathers in your company. Many work-life programs offer parenting resources for both women and men, but with information and a style that is geared more for women. Maternity leave is a standard, but paternity leave is only starting to catch on.

Focusing on fathers will boost your bottom line - studies show that good fathers are better leaders - and it doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some ideas:
Include Men/Fathers In Marketing Collateral. If you're advertising a seminar/workshop or hosting a presentation, make sure the imagery includes men and fathers so that men feel welcome and at-ease.

Offer Literature Specifically for Fathers. Brochures/pamphlets with specific information for men on topics like balancing work and family, keeping children safe, and other parenting tips will get more traction among men.

Organize a Dads Group. Encourage men to meet over lunch and invite in guest speakers. This will give them a safe place to talk about fathering and support each other.
To see how father-friendly your company is, you can use a free diagnostic tool - the Father Friendly Check-Up. Offered by the National Fatherhood Initiative, it helps you pin-point strategies for becoming a more father-friendly organization.

Don't let your fathers get left in the dust during these tough economic times. With just a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, you can actively and effectively support the fathers in your company.

Reflect: How To Make Good Decisions

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:45:00 +0000

I just read this article over at the "Church Leaders Intelligance Report." You can read the entire article at: http://trackit.outreach.com/read/archive?id=4786&e=kenspeaks%40gmail%2ecom&x=241b03b4

"Carl Spetzler, director of the Strategic Decision and Risk Management Program at Stanford University, develops decision-making strategies for managers and executives making choices about everything from acquisition targets to international strategy. He offers this definition of a "good" decision:

The right frame. Assurance that you're solving the right problem in the first place.

Clarity about what you want. You know whether you're trying to maximize value or to minimize damage.

Creative alternatives.

Gathering the right information, including information about uncertainty, which is essential if you want to choose the best alternative.

Reasoning, which includes what you know and what you don't.

A commitment to make it happen, since a decision is no stronger than its weakest link.

Refresh: National Day of Prayer

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Today, is the National Day of Prayer. I was interested in this recent report that came out about the prayer lives of preachers.

You can read the report at: http://trackit.outreach.com/read/archive?id=4757&e=kenspeaks%40gmail%2ecom&x=0433bce2

The report stated: "According to the survey, the average Protestant minister prays for 39 minutes a day, although 21% typically spend 15 minutes or less per day in prayer. Although younger ministers are less satisfied with their prayer lives, this does not appear to be due to spending significantly less time in prayer. Younger ministers average 35 minutes a day in prayer, compared to 41 minutes among pastors 45 to 59 years old, and 38 minutes among older pastors. The typical pastor spends 32% of his or her prayer time making requests, 20% in quiet time or listening to God, 18% giving thanks, 17% in praise, and 14% in confession."

What do you think - Why don't you think preachers pray more?

Redesign: Twittering in Church

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

I just read this article at cnn. You can read the article at: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1895463,00.html?cnn=yes

Obviously I like this idea as far as people processing sermon information and being able to communicate to others what they are learning and thinking.

However, I do have to wonder if we should start having a ban on twittering in certain services so that we can truly hear God speak...

Redesign - A New/Old Way of Doing Church

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sun, 03 May 2009 12:51:00 +0000

I just reads this article about "house churches" at www.azcentral.com. This is an idea that I have been really thinking about over the last few months. I also just started reading Barna's book "Revolution" which is about the same idea. I kind of see this as a both and deal. We should have a time of all the church being together but we should ultilize the concept of the house church. what do you think.

Redesign: How to Lead Change in the Church

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:11:00 +0000

This article was just posted over at the "Church Leaders Intelligence Report."

How to Lead Change In his classic text, Leading Change, John Kotter offers insights into the mechanics of change. In particular, he explores the following eight fundamental qualities of successful change leadership.

Establish a sense of urgency. Wise leaders realize people have an aversion to change. Unless prodded to make adjustments, most people won't budge from business as usual. Since leaders are likely the first ones to sense the need for change, they must convey a sense of urgency by convincingly identifying the threats of staying the same.
Gather a guiding coalition. Before making the case for change to the entire organization, a leader should persuade fellow influencers of its necessity. In every company, a small group of stakeholders lay claim to a majority of the influence. Unless a change agent rallies these key decision-makers to his side, he will have difficulty garnering enough momentum to shift the organization.
Create vision. Before launching a movement for change, it's essential to formulate a compelling vision to support it. The vision should clearly spell out the rationale for making a change, and it should paint a picture of the preferred future that will arise as a result. The vision should be refined and simplified until it can be shared in five minutes or less.
Communicate vision. Human emotions tend to be drawn toward the discomfort and inconveniences of change. For this reason, it's critical to make every effort to communicate the value of change. Leaders too readily fear repeating themselves when they should be more afraid of their people misinterpreting the vision or losing sight of it.
Empower others to act on the vision.First and foremost, build margin for change. People's responsibilities continue in addition to their involvement in major change initiatives. Give them space to internalize the change and readjust their focus. Changing is a difficult endeavor. Be sure ample resources, meetings, and man-hours are being devoted to make it happen.
Plan for and create short-term wins. Often the scale of a needed change can be overwhelming. Whittle it down into bite-sized bits, and be sure to celebrate every milestone accomplished. Build upon small, short-term victories to infuse the team with momentum so they can carry out the full extent of the desired changes.
Consolidate improvements to extend change. At first, changes are fragile. They need nourishment and protection in order to take root in the organization. Be vigilant of hard-fought changes, and recognize that many of them will take years to be fully ingrained in the organization.
Institutionalize new approaches. The best leaders know change is not a once-in-a-while proposition. The process of change is ongoing. When leaders manage change effectively, they gain respect and earn the right to craft a culture where change is a regular, even welcome, aspect of the organization.

Adapted from "How to Lead Change," by John Kotter, Leadership Wired, Issue 1, 9/08

Reflect: You Are Going to Die the Way You Live...

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:34:00 +0000

There is a great article over at CNN entitled: You Are Going to Die the Way You Live." This is a great title and I think would make a good sermon series....

What do you think would be the best sermons for this series?

The article speaks about the fact that death is just a part of life and how a person has lived will also be a big factor in how the person will end their life.

As I reflect on this concept I hope that I have lived...

1. As a good husband that loved his wife as a soulmate and as a friend.

2. As a great dad who was involved, responsible, and committed

3. As a faithful servant of God whom God will be able to say "Well done good and faithful servant."

4. As a preacher of the Bible who always proclaimed the Word of God with boldness and conviction.

5. As a continual learner who always tried to improve himself and the situations around him.

6. As a hard worker who never forgot that his father modeled for him how to work hard in the coal refining factories of the midwest.

7. As person that was always optomistic and looked for the best in others.

If this is how I lived, then I know that I will die with peace and love

Redesign: Mormons Leading the Way

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:24:00 +0000

The Arizona Republic has an interesting article today about how illegal immigrants are dividing the church. The article points out how aggressive Mormons have been at reaching immigrants and that some don't consider whether those immigrants are illegal or not. You can read the article at the link above or at: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/04/02/20090402ldslatinos0402.html

I think this issue will be one of major issues facing the church for the next 50 years. I wrote an article for churches on how to be more immigrant friendly. You can read the article at: http://www.christianstandard.com/articledisplay.asp?id=319

What do you think?

Should churches ask immigrants they reach if they are legal or not?

Refresh: Know the Signs of Burnout

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:28:00 +0000

I just read this great article over at the Christian Leadership Alliance about Burnout. I found it helpful and thought you would as well.

Both staff and volunteers at a church can be susceptible to burnout, even when they have a deep passion or calling for their work. It is vitally important that a pastor know the signs of burnout and remain vigilant about preventing it in those who regularly serve in the church.

Burnout is defined as a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term exposure to a demanding situation. Burnout is the cumulative result of stress. A person may be more prone to burnout if he/she:

Identifies so strongly with work that they lack a reasonable balance between work and their personal life

Tries to be everything to everyone

Holds a monotonous job

Works in the helping professions, such as health care, counseling, teaching, law enforcement or the church.

Ask these questions to see if a partner in your ministry is experiencing signs of burnout:

Do they find themselves being more cynical, critical and sarcastic at work?

Have they lost the ability to experience joy?

Do they drag themselves to work and have trouble getting started once they arrive?
Have they become more irritable and less patient with co-workers, work partners or visitors?

Do they feel that they face insurmountable barriers to their ministry?

Do they seem to lack the energy to be consistently productive?

Do they no longer feel satisfaction from achievements?

Do they have a hard time laughing at themselves?

Are they tired of people asking if they're OK?

Do they feel disillusioned about their service or position?

Are they self-medicating—using food, drugs or alcohol—to feel better or to simply not feel?
Have their sleep habits or appetite changed?

Are they troubled by headaches, neck pain or lower back pain?

Burnout can be overcome, but first we must understand its cause. Burnout can result from:

Lack of control. Perhaps a servant is unable to influence decisions that affect their ministry, such as the hours they work or the assignments they get. Perhaps they're unable to control the amount of work that comes in.

Unclear job expectations. Examples include uncertainty over what degree of authority they have and not having the necessary resources to do their work.

Dysfunctional workplace dynamics. Examples are serving with a bully, being undermined by ministry partners or having a leader who micromanages their work.
Mismatch in values. If their values differ from those of the organization or the way it handles grievances, it will wear on them.

Poor job fit. Working in a ministry that poorly aligns with their interests and skills is certain to become more and more stressful over time.

Extremes of activity. When a ministry is always monotonous or chaotic, they'll need constant energy to remain focused. Over time, this energy drain can lead to burnout.

As a pastor, maintain an awareness of situations that might produce burnout in yourself, your staff or those who serve. Do not allow the symptoms of burnout to go ignored. Like stress, burnout can have significant health consequences including fatigue, insomnia and weight gain or loss. It has the potential to put some people at increased risk of depression, anxiety and other emotional difficulties. Working in an environment that negatively affects your physical and mental health can affect your personal life and, left untreated, it can spoil a Christian's heart for ministry, the church or even God. Make it a priority to eliminate the risk of burnout from your church's ministry.

Christian Leadership Alliance, 8/11/08

Blogging Again

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:23:00 +0000

All - I enjoy blogging but I have a little blog burnout over the last year. I am starting up the blog again to my on line friends and for the friends in my area. I hope to post about the church, life, and other important issues facing Christians in this world. The blog will be devided into the following post:

Reflect: Those concepts that I am preaching about or spending time thinking about. I would ask that you think about them as well and help me to think further than I ever could on my own.

Rejoice: Those things that I find encouraging and what I want to share with my friends

Refresh: Thoughts around how to stay connected to God and live in proper flow

Restore: Posts about my church: Restoration Point Christian Church

Redesign: Comments on how the church and life should be redesigned to be more like God would desire.

Be Part of My Fatherhood Fifty

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 01:43:00 +0000

As many of you know a couple of years ago I joined an organization entitled the National Fatherhood Initiative (http://www.fatherhood.org/). Growing up with a good dad I always recognized the importance of a good dad, but having heard the stories of both good and bad dads over the past couple of years I have been deeply touched about the importance of helping dads become involved, responsible and committed in the lives of their children and families. I don't normally ask others to become involved with all that God reveals to me or that I become interested in, but I have felt an extra need in this area.

The body of research that forms the basis for the National Fatherhood Initiative's (NFI's) important work is overwhelming. Currently, one out of every three children in the U.S. is growing up in a home without their biological father. This number rises to 2 out of 3 in African-American communities. Studies consistently show that kids who grow up without fathers in the home, on average, do worse across every economic, psychological, social, and educational measurement.

Kids from father absent homes are:

Five times more likely to live in poverty

Three times more likely to fail in school

Two times more likely to abuse drugs

Two times more likely to become involved in crime

Two times more likely to be abused and neglected

Three times more likely to commit suicide

In addition to these staggering statistics, we recently released a study titled, "The One Hundred Billion Dollar Man: The Annual Public Costs of Father Absence." This study was carried out by independent researchers who found that the issue of father absence is costing the federal government $100 billion a year in the form of support for single-mother households and child support enforcement.

Clearly, the issue of father absence has far reaching and damaging consequences for our nation's children and for our society as a whole. Since 1994, NFI has taken an innovative approach to addressing the problem of father absence. I am now reaching out to you as my personal friends because God has given me the vision of rasing up 49 other individuals that are committed to this father cause.

I am asking you to join me to form a group that I am going to call the "fatherhood fifty." All I am asking you to do is to say 50 prayers over 50 days concerning NFI, fatherhood, your children and the children that go to bed everynight without a father. Additionally, I am asking that you make a one time gift of $50.00 to the National Fatherhood Initiative. Please join me in this important cause.

You can join me by 1. Sending me an e-mail committing to be one of the fatherhood 50. 2. Send a check made out to NFI to me at 101 Lake Forest Blvd Gaithersburg MD 20877 and 3. Starting November 13th pray for NFI and for your children every day for the rest of the year (50 Days). Thanks again and I look forward to accomplishing great things with your help. Ken

You can follow the fatherhood fifty at: http://www.fatherhoodfifty.blogspot.com/

Fall Festival - Whittier Lake Park

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:15:00 +0000

What We Believe...

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:58:00 +0000

I was recently asked what the church that I teaches at beleives. Here are some of the core values that we teach...

As an independent, non-denominational church, Catoctin Christian Church believes:

... that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, who died for our sins and arose from the dead.(1 Corinthians 15: 1-8 & John 3:16)
... that the Bible is the inspired word of God - a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.(2 Timothy 3:16 & Psalm 119:105)
... that every person has worth as a creation of God, but that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.(Romans 3:23)
... that forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life are available to those who trust Christ as Savior and Lord.(John 3:16)
... that those accepting Christ should repent of sin, confess their faith, and be baptized into Him.(Romans 10:9 & Acts 2:38)
... that the Church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to evangelize the lost and edify the saved.(Ephesians 4:1-16)
... that Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Life Lessons from Nicodemus:

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:52:00 +0000

John 3:1-21

1. We all Need a Fresh Start.

Note verse 3. “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born again.”
Key Question to Ask: Where in my life do I need a fresh start?

2. Fresh Starts Start with Spirit and Water.

· V.5 “Very truly I tell you , no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”
Water—Is a reference to baptism and is a symbol of the washing away of the past.
Spirit—The Holy Spirit is what gives us strength to move down different paths.

3. Fresh Starts can last a lifetime and even for an eternity.

· Verse 14—”Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
The key to a successful start and a good life is to put Christ first in all that we do.
Key Question: Why is it so tough to put God first in all that we do as we live?

4. Fresh Starts means picking the right direction.

Note verse 19 and the contrast between light and darkness.
In this passage we also learn about truth—what does verse 21 say about the truth?

New Small Group Study - How to Get Started

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:03:00 +0000

I recently started a new small group at my home. This small group will be discussing how to get started. This past week we discussed how to get started right...By using the Bible

The Bible is the account of God's action in the world and his purpose with all creation. The writing of the Bible took place over sixteen centuries and is the work of over forty human authors. It is a quite amazing collection of 66 books with very different styles all containing the message God desired us to have.

It provides many stories about the lives of good and bad people, about battles and journeys, about the life of Jesus along with letters written to groups of Christians that met in homes. It comes to us in narratives and dialogues, in proverbs and parables, in songs and allegories, in history and prophecy.

The accounts in the Bible were not generally written down as they occurred. Rather they were told over and over again and handed down through the years before someone finally wrote them down. Yet the same themes may be found throughout the book.
So along with the diversity there is also a remarkable unity. So what is the Bible? Well, in addition to all the above, the Bible is this:

It is a Guide for living life to the fullest. It gives us a road map for the perilous journey of life. Or to put it another way, on our voyage through life's ocean, we find our anchor right here.

It is a storehouse of wonderful stories for children and grownups. Remember Noah and the ark? Joseph's coat of many colors? Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah and the fish? The parables of Jesus? In these stories we recognize the triumphs and failures of ordinary people - and we may even see ourselves!

It is a refuge in trouble. People in pain, in suffering, in prison, in mourning, tell how they turned to the Bible and found strength there in their desperate hours.

It is a treasury of knowledge as to who we are. We are not meaningless robots, but we are magnificent creatures of a God who loves us and gives us a purpose and a destiny.

It is a sourcebook for everyday living. We find standards for our conduct, guidelines for knowing right from wrong, principles to help us in a confused society where so often "anything goes."

24 Hour Prayer Session – April 5th and 6th

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Every year at my church we set aside 24 hours that we will pray together over the needs of our church and church members. Today is start of the 24 hour prayer retreat. I ask people in our church to pray for 30 minutes and I suggest an outline from them to follow. Below you will find the outline. I would ask, that you stumble upon this that maybe God is asking you to pray for our church as well. I would love to hear how your prayers went and what specifically you prayer for.

Prayer Outline (suggested)

Start with a Prayer of Praise: (5 minutes)

It is essential when we come before God to recognize who He is and what He has done. As we get our hearts and minds in the right spirit with God come before Him with joy and appreciation of the way that He has loved you and has cared for your needs. Spend this time singing the two worship songs of "Shout to the Lord" and "Open the Eyes of My Heart." If you can't sing, then read the words and pray them to God.
Pray for the Lost and for Visitors who will attend Catoctin Christian Church this year. (10 Minutes)

Jesus had the mission to "seek and save the lost." God is concerned that His church be mission minded. Pray the Scriptures through the Prayer for Newcomers. Allow God to bring to mind two or three specific people that you know that need God in their life. Pray specifically to God for these individuals and their needs.
Spend some time of your prayer with a time of Silence. (5 minutes)

Let God speak to you… Clear your mind of any thoughts and let His Holy Spirit direct you. Let the Spirit speak into your life and into your situations as He sees fit. Listen to the promptings of the Lord and what God is asking you to do.
Pour out your hurts and Wounds to God who can heal you. Pray a prayer of forgiveness to those who have hurt you. (5 Minutes)

Scripture reminds us that sometimes are prayers are not effective because we have put a roadblock in our relationship with God by allowing the hurts of others hinder our relationship with God. Spend the next few minutes just pouring out your thoughts and feelings to God and asking Him to help you forgive anyone that has hurt you.
End Your Pray Praying for the needs of your church as God brings them to your mind. (5 minutes)

Some suggested needs might be:
1. A cause that will impact our community
2. The new restart so that we can start in a way that pleases God.
3. pray for diversity and for a variety of visitors to attend our church
4. Pray for the youth and their decision to be committed to follow Christ.

Glen Olson - A Once in a Lifetime Type of Man

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:27:00 +0000

Yesterday, I preached the funeral for Glen Olson. Glen was a member of my church and was greatly loved. Below you find an article about Glen that was written in his local paper over a year ago. The article speaks to the strength, passion, and positive attitude that Glen displayed thoughout his life. He was the type of man that made you a better man from just being around him -

________________________________________________________________

TOWSON — NINETY-TWO-YEAR-old Glen Olsen walked up to the board at the standing long jump during the Maryland Senior Olympics on Thursday morning at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium, bent his legs three times to warm up and asked several questions as he got ready to jump.

THE FREDERICK MAN, who became blind three years ago after a bout with Shingles, took his first jump and went a little more than two feet. He fell forward as he came down. His daughter, Peggy Renn, helped him up, but he was fine.

"How did I do," he asked? He was told they had to measure the distance first. He took two more jumps, the longest being three feet.

Olsen, who lives in Crestwood Village in Frederick, has been coming to the state Senior Olympics almost every year since 1988. Even blindness has not prevented him from taking part in the event, although it has limited his activities to four events -- the softball throw, the Frisbee throw, the football throw and the standing jump. In the past, he took part in everything from pool shooting, to the javelin to bowling. He stayed the whole day.

This year, he was be there a little more than an hour. His daughters Peggy Renn and Cathie Olsen, his son Lief Olsen and his granddaughter Inga Olsen were on hand. Inga, one of seven grandchildren (he has six great-grand grandchildren) took pictures. Olsen was the only participant in his age group and was probably the oldest -- certainly one of the oldest -- to take part in the event. "He's always been into stuff like this, he really enjoys it," Renn said. "It keeps him active, it gives him something to look forward to doing. He's been talking about this for months."

After the long jump, Olsen went to the softball throw. He went up to the line and someone handed him a softball. "Is that the best one? I want the best one," Olsen said. Cathie Olsen walked about 10 yards in front of him to make sure he threw the ball in the right direction. Although he is blind, he can see shapes. "Is anyone behind me," he said as he wound up and threw the softball about 11 yards. He threw two more times, 13 and 15 yards.
"I used to be able to throw it (a total of) 118 yards," he said.

Next, it was on to the Frisbee toss. Olsen tried to figure out the best way to throw. He finally made three tosses, two of eight yards and one of seven. Then, it was time for the football throw. Lief Olsen took special interest in this throw, reminding his father to take two steps back and then walk up two steps as he threw the football. "You've done better in practice," his son said as his first throw went nine yards. "Sort of take a hop like you did in practice." The next two throws went 10 yards and 11 yards. "The football throw is the hardest," Glen Olsen said. "The softball is the easiest. I know how to handle the small ball better."

The whole competition took a little less than an hour. Asked if he would come back, Glen Olsen said, "God willing." EVEN THOUGH HE is 92, Olsen is very alert and had no trouble remembering details. He had a cane besides him while he was interviewed, but said he didn't need it. He was exercising with five-pound weights, something he does several times a day for 20 minutes to half an hour. "I still have the muscles I had when I worked in the coal mines," he said with a smile. "I can lick my weight in wildcats."

Olsen is from Fordham, Pa., near Punxsutawney (which Olsen described as near the place that is famous for that groundhog). He grew up in that area, but didn't play high school sports.
"In high school, I was only 5-foot-5 inches," said Olsen, who turned 92 on Aug. 2. "All the big guys played football and basketball. I went out for them, but they wouldn't throw me the ball. I was too far from the basket." He and his bother took up tennis. "We only had one court in town and no one used it," he said. "It was all covered with dirt. My brother and I said, 'Let's go fix it up so we can play some tennis.'" They became very good at the sport.

After graduating from high school Olsen went to work in the coal mines. "I worked in a room that was 4-feet high and I would shovel coal on my knees," he said. "I got paid 71 cents to dig a ton of coal. They never paid you in cash. You went to the company store and the guy recorded everything in a book. Most of the time you weren't able to pay your debt."

In the late 1950s, Olsen moved to Frederick. He has been here since, working as a real estate salesman. In the late 1980s, he met John Ey, who got him involved in the Senior Olympics.
"It started with John Ey. I didn't know they had Senior Olympics until I met John Ey," Olsen said. "He said why don't I get involved in Senior Olympics. I said, 'What are they.'" The two began practicing together and entered his first Senior Olympics in 1988, winning a silver and a bronze medal. (His first event was the mile walk.) Olsen has won 49 gold, 32 silver and 22 bronze medals since then. In 2001, he won 10 gold and the year before he won 12 medals overall.

He has participated almost every year, missing the event in 2003 because of Shingles and missed last year because his family had the wrong date. If there was an event, Olsen would take part in it. "My favorite sport was tennis, but I also liked the javelin," he said. "But they eliminated it. I did well in horseshoes. I would win that every year. I would get there in the morning and stay until about 4 p.m. He said running events were his worst. "There are a lot of people faster than me," Olsen said. "I wasn't sold on running." He had to cut back after losing his eyesight, but didn't want to stop.

He's also recruited others to take part. "I talked one of the ladies here into going to the Olympics," he said. "She was 72 and would walk around the village fast. I coaxed her into going and she set a record in the mile walk." Initially, he and Ey went together. When Ey died a few years ago, Olsen's family members went with him. Lately, though, it's just been him and his family. His children are all for it. "We're glad he got involved, something like this is good for him," Peggy Renn said. "I want to do it as long as I can participate," Olsen said. "I'd go through all the events if I had my sight."

A Pastor's Heart - New Series at Lifeway

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:34:00 +0000

http://www.lifeway.com/ is running a new 5 part article series that I wrote entitled: A Pastor's Heart. The series is designed to help pastor's stay in touch with their people even in the midst of a difficult and busy schedule. This first article "A Pastor at Heart, Stay Connected to Your People" really outlines just a few simple principles that any preacher or church leader can follow. The principles that I list in the article are:

Send postcards and notes of appreciation. I have found that sending a small note to a person to let them know that I appreciate something that they specifically did means a great deal to them.

Pray for the specific needs of your congregation weekly. One of the most important tasks that I can participate in for my church family is to take their requests, needs, and praises to God. Schedule a specific time each week to pray over the needs of your church family.

Create an e-mail file for each of your members and send e-mails regularly.E-mail allows you as a minister to connect quickly and frequently to your members.

Create an open door policy for your members. Welcome visits from your members.

Take congregation surveys. A survey allows the pastor to know how the members really feel about the church and its ministry.

Start a Pastor’s blog. You can find out more about blogging at my article entitled: How to Begin Your Own Pastor's Blog.

You can read the entire article at: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A%3D167206%26M%3D200827,00.html?

Devotional Thought - Listening For Directions

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 21:29:00 +0000

Today I read an inspiring story about how a blind Iraq war vet was learning to ski. The story was about a man by the name of Ivan Castro who was a former Army Ranger. Castro is now blind because of a mortar explosion that happened just five feet from him. The blast pulverized Castro's left eye and after surgery failed to save his right eye, he became blind. Castro said after he became blind, "You know when you're blinded, you don't know what life is. You don't know what's out there."

Now two years later with the help of his instructor at Sun Valley Adaptive Sports Program he is now able to ski down a mountain. The goal of this program is to give "courage and hope so that can take back those skills to improve thier relationships." They have to listen to the instuctor who is behind them to guide them down the rocky and dangerous slope. The key the particpants say is to concentrate on what the instuctor's are telling them.

Jesus said to his followers in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

Today we have been wounded by the mortar of life. The sins of others and our own stupid mistakes. These poor choices have often left us blind and not knowing what life is all about. Jesus does not want us to stay blinded, but rather He is the voice that is calling to us. He is calling to guide us and direct us down the slippery and dangerous slope of life. If we will hear His voice and listen to His direction then we will find success and the courage we need to move forward.

What is Jesus saying to you today? How is He trying to direct you?

Devotional Thought: Where are You Walking

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:42:00 +0000

The Power of one man is significant. One man, Brad Blauser, vowed to make a difference in Iraq. When he came to Iraq as a cilivan contractor and saw the destruction and depression of so many Iraq families he helped organize the distribution of wheelchairs that had been donated and paid for by a charity - Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. A recent news story states that "He first came to Iraq in 2004 as a civilian contractor. Struck by the abject chaos surrounding him and seeing helpless children scooting along the ground, he pledged to find a way to help." He now provides these wheelchairs to families that provide hope and a new beginning.

The news story went on to relate that "Iraqi parents will go to any lengths to improve the quality of their children's lives. Blauser points to one of his favorite photographs, of a father carrying his son in his arms, an endless desert road behind him. He had carried his son more than 6 miles to get a wheelchair. In August 2006 we had a distribution in northern Iraq, Blauser remembered. "We watched him [the father] come forward, and people rushed to take the boy from his arms. And he said, 'No, I've been carrying this child all my life. I can carry him the last 100 yards to receive his wheelchair.' "

This man walked 6 miles to find help for his son. I can just imagine the pain and agony of this father. He has never gotten to see his child run and play like the rest of the boys in his neighborhood. Every where this child has gone has been because either his father or someone in his family had carried him there. Six miles seem like a long way to walk, but not for this father - he would have walked any length to provide for his child.

You know the Bible says that Jesus "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:6-8).

The point is that God doesn't ask us to walk anywhere to be with Him. The fact is that He sent His Son to this earth so that we could be healed. He went to great lengths to make sure that we knew His love and How He cares about us.

Sermon Discussion: Good Things Can Come Happen From Places We Don't Expect

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:22:00 +0000

Sermon: "Good Things Can Happen From Places We Don't Expect".

I have been reading the birth of Jesus stories lately, for obvious reasons. I have been looking at the birth in relation to the prophecies of the Old Testament Prophets. One prophecy that really got me thinking was the fact that Jesus was to be born in Bethleham.

You read the story and the porphecy at: Matthew 2:1-6 and Micah 5:1-4. What really struck me was the fact that God would have the Savior of the world born in a place that no one expected.

The more I thought about, I came to the conclusion that we all have unexpectations and but in reality God can bring good things from places that we don't expect.

So tell me - when has God done something for you in an expected place?

Christmas Eve Service

kenspeaks@yahoo.com (kenspeaks) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 01:29:00 +0000

Church Life: I am getting really excited about our Christmas Eve Service. This year we are using an old church building next to the facility that we rent to host "An Old Fashion" Christmas. The old building reminds me of the traditions of old that we should keep and creates a warm family environment where we will be able to worship together as a family.

If you can, you might want to drop in at 7:00 or 8:30pm to one of the services on December 24th. We are located at 7819 Rocky Springs Road in Frederick MD. You can click on the link to find directions.

I would like to hear from you what you are looking forward to most this Christmas...