Vitamin Bs for IOTs!

Are you planning to attend the CEF National Conference, April 30- May 4, 2007 at Ridgecrest? It's going to be great! Besides the excellent Bible messages, inspiring workshops and wonderful fellowship, we're also going to celebrate our 70th birthday! (That's CEF's 70th birthday, not the blog administrators!)

This is going to be a conference that keeps on giving. The department of education has been working hard on a series of 14 special workshops that you'll be able to purchase on a CD so you can present your very own Good News Across America conference.

You're going to love the new workshops we've developed on subjects like Child-Size Apologetics, Transforming Children through the Spiritual Disciplines, Developing Biblically Focused Kids in an Unbiblical World and Using Images to Convey Truth -- just to name a few! The CD will have all you need--instructor notes, student notes, PowerPoint and transparency visuals and lots more.

But the most special feature of the conference (in our humble opinion) will be on Thursday afternoon from 1:00-2:00. That's when we're having our special IOT session called Vitamin Bs for IOTs! What in the world does that mean? You'll have to come and find out! Let's just say it will be a time for encouragement, information and...well...surprises! You won't want to miss it! So make sure when you get to the conference to block out Thursday from 1:00-2:00!

We appreciate each one of you and all you do to train others in this important work of reaching children for Christ. We can't wait to greet you at the conference and hear first-hand what God is doing in your area! See you at Ridgecrest!

PS: There's still time to get your entry in for the big blog contest! Send in your TCE testimony and picture by next Monday, April 30. See the March 26th post below for complete details!

Tragedy

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those on the Virginia Tech campus, the families of the slain and the survivors. We were all astounded as we watched and listened to the cold, enraged words of mass killer, Cho Seung-Hui. Our minds struggle to wrap themselves around such senseless horror. What in the world happened in this young man's life that triggered the downward spiral leading to such a vengeful act?

He wrote violent, obscene stories that all had a similar theme. They were about young people--mostly young men--being exploited by adults and then seeking astounding vengeance.

Was this young man a victim of childhood sexual abuse? Many signs seem to point in that direction--his hiding behind dark glasses, hats and fake names, his obsession with sexual depravity, his sense of victimization and rage--it all speaks of the shame and frustration typical of many who have been sexually abused. Was he a target of bullying or physical abuse? Many of his writings point to that possibility.

Undoubtedly his life will be studied from every possible angle. We may learn about some terrible abuse that set him on this path. Nothing we learn will ever excuse or fully explain his actions, but it may shed light on some of it.

This whole tragedy should remind each of us that we labor in the most important and determinative ministry field in the world! It should give you new motivation for the work you do as an instructor of teachers. Just think of the children those teachers you train are going to reach. What terrible events will never happen because a child is reached with the Gospel before sin takes hold in his or her life?

What if someone had invited little eight-year-old Seung-Hui to a Good News Club when he first came to this country? What if he had responded to the Gospel and become a child of God? Perhaps 32 people on the VT campus would still be alive today. Perhaps those families, that campus and our nation would not be in mourning.

This event should prompt us, as never before, to pray for our nation's children. The enemy of our souls is out to kill and destroy. He knows the value of a child's soul. He knows he can so damage a child that the effects can last a lifetime--and even spill over into the lives of others.

Unfortunately, we know that many in the Body of Christ have yet to get that message. Too many churches continue to entertain children on Sunday morning instead of actively seeking the salvation of every child God brings their way. Too many teachers hesitate to speak of sin and the blood of Christ or to give a salvation invitation. Too Christians are unconcerned about the unreached children in their community.

IOTs, this is a living illustration! Use this terrible tragedy to challenge your TCE students to the urgent need before us. Were there churches or believers in the neighborhood where Cho Seung-Hui grew up? Did anyone ever attempt to reach him with the Gospel? Was there a Good News Club in his area? He is one child we missed--and the ramifications of that fact are stunning.

Where Are You?

Hey all you IOTs--we know you're out there! We also know you're all busy with clubs, TCE courses, seminars, banquets, committee meetings, recruiting for summer ministries and all that other CEF stuff! But it's time to prioritize and remember what's truly important in life--our blog contest!!! Well, okay--so maybe it's not the most important thing on your schedule right now--we'll forgive you for that! And we're prepared to accommodate you.

We are announcing an extension of our blog contest! You now have until April 30 to send in a testimony from a TCE student as to how the course affected him or her or how the things learned in the course have impacted that teacher's Good News Club. Remember to include a picture with the testimony. The picture can be of the TCE course or of the teacher's club. We've noticed a number of you have been writing great testimonies in our guestbook. You could send us one of those with a picture!

Remember also what is at stake here -- the chance to win your very own "Ball of Many Colors"!! Just think of all the ways this amazing, Wordless Book-colored soccer ball will add to your training ministry. You could use it to review the message of salvation, to demonstrate a review game or to bop students on the head when they fall asleep in your class! (Oops, strike that last suggestion please.) And remember, the teacher whose testimony you send us will also win this amazing prize! Do you really want to deprive some deserving teacher the opportunity to own such a treasure? Huh? Do you?? We didn't think so!

Not only do you receive a great prize, your testimony and picture will be featured in a future post right here in the Cafe! Do you know how much people are willing to pay for that honor? Well, nothing actually...but we won't even charge you for this privilege!

So, have we convinced you?? Your over-qualified and under-paid blog administrators are looking forward to receiving your testimony. These people have nothing else to do and they're starting to annoy the rest of us, so please keep them busy! Entries will be evaluated and the top eight will be announced on May 11. Send an email to Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com with your testimony and picture today!

Happy Resurrection Day!

As many in our world focus on Easter bunnies, bonnets and baskets, we believers are reflecting on the most special event on our calendar--remembering the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ and the joy of His resurrection. We celebrate the empty tomb. We love telling the children the story of how Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day!

The truth of the resurrection gives us hope for the future. We look forward to that time when we will experience the resurrection of our frail, mortal bodies--when corruptible is raised incorruptible! We look forward to our home in Heaven and the grand reunion with friends and family. Those truths are precious to our hearts.

But the fact that Jesus arose and lives today should have significance to us, not just for the future, but for today! What does the resurrection mean to you in the course of everyday life? As you reflect on that thought, consider the words of the 19th century hymn writer, Phillips Brooks:

"The great Easter truth is not that we are to live newly after death--that is not the great thing--but that we are to be new here and now by the power of the Resurrection; not so much that we are to live forever, as that we are to, and may, live nobly now because we are to live forever."

That's a thought-provoking statement, isn't it! Are we living nobly, renewed day by day through the power of the resurrection? Are we more like the Lord Jesus today than we were yesterday? Last month? Last year?

Living in the power of the resurrection affects everything we do. It affects our relationships and our ministry. It affects how we relate to our TCE students and to the children. It affects how we view the world and the circumstances of our lives.

As this Resurrection Day draws near, may you know in a fresh new way "the power of His resurrection," and may that knowledge infuse your life and ministry with vitality and joy!

Happy Resurrection Day from your friends at CMI!

A Contest!

Okay all you IOT’s out there, here’s what you’ve been waiting for. Announcing the first ever Instructors’ Café Contest!

Instructions:
• Send by email to cheryl.oetting@cefonline.com one personal testimony of how a TCE course in which you participated as an instructor affected the life of a teacher. This could relate to how the teacher was personally touched or motivated by the teaching or how the course material was effectively used by the teacher in his or her Good News Club.

• The testimony MUST be accompanied by a picture of the teacher, the TCE class or the teacher’s club. Also, permission must be granted by the teacher and parents of any children in the picture to be used in our blog.

• The testimony and picture must be received in our office no later than April 30, 2007. One entry per person please.

• When sending entry please include: your full name, mailing address, daytime phone number and verification that permission is given to use the testimony and picture in our blog. Also, please put "Blog Contest" in the subject line of your email.

How will the winners be decided?
Your trusty,impartial blog administrators will evaluate each entry and choose the eight most inspirational testimonies with good clear pictures. Winners will be announced on this blog on May 11, 2007.

What do I get if I win?
Besides our undying gratitude, you and the teacher you tell about will each win a cool Ball of Many Colors! Think of all the ways you could use this durable, Wordless Book colored soccer ball as a teaching tool in your training, your clubs or for activities in camps or CYIA! In addition, the eight winning entries will each be featured in our soon-to-be world renown blog to inspire and encourage other IOTs!

Who can participate?
This contest is open to all credentialed IOTs or IOT candidates who have visited the Café at least once since we opened in January 2007. Participation by all full time department of education personnel, blog administrators (or Martha Wright’s dog!) is strictly prohibited.

So, get those cameras out, write down those testimonies and get those emails to Cheryl! We look forward to hearing from you!

Amazing Grace

Have any of you out there seen the new movie, Amazing Grace? If not make plans to see this amazing film! It is the true story of William Wilberforce, who led a twenty-year fight to abolish slavery in Britain.

Wilberforce had become a believer in the late 1700's and was elected to the House of Commons at age 21. His mentor and pastor was John Newton, the former slave ship captain turned preacher and writer of the famous hymn. The film depicts the bond between the two men and how Wilberforce was inspired to serve God by carrying out his relentless battle against slavery.

The film conveys a wonderful testimony about the power of the Gospel to change lives. You’ll want to cheer when John Newton tells William, “Although my memory is fading I remember two things clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.” When was the last time you heard that in a movie theater??

The film also shows the power of one. One man with a vision and passion is able to stand against the current of his times and turn an entire country in a new direction. Another theme is the power of love and friendship. Wilberforce could not have persevered without the encouragement of his wife, friends and pastor. This was a group who truly edified and strengthened each other to complete their God-ordained task.

The actors did a wonderful job of depicting these larger-than-life people. Wilberforce is not a plastic hero. He is portrayed as a man troubled by doubts and fears and plagued by physical infirmities. Yet, he is a man of extraordinary humility, compassion and courage.

So, what does this have to do with being an instructor of teachers? First, it should edify you in your task. You may wonder at times if teaching all those TCE courses is really making a difference. Remember the power of one! You have the opportunity to influence so many lives through your training courses. Not only are you influencing the teachers, but think of all the children you are reaching through them! Who knows but that your courses may be used of God to bring dramatic change to your local community or state!

You can also use this film to challenge your TCE students. Remind them that they may very well have a future William Wilberforce in their Good News Club! That child who is driving them crazy could grow up to be used of God in amazing ways to influence a generation.

And one other thought. The edifying effect of Wilberforce’s close circle of companions is a wonderful reminder of the importance of our bond, not only as believers, but as IOTs. We need to be constantly looking for ways to encourage and strengthen each other for the task God has given us. This blog is a great way we can do that. Even though we can’t be together in person, we can meet here at the Café for that little “shot in the arm” that will keep us going through another course.

So, go see Amazing Grace! You will be supporting good, substantive filmmaking and you will be wonderfully inspired in the process. For more info on the movie visit www.amazinggracemovie.com.

Resurrection Truth!

If you've been watching the news, you've no doubt come across the provocative report concerning archaeological "evidence" that questions the resurrection of Christ. According to a report in USA Today,

"A TV documentary, The Lost Tomb of Jesus, airs Sunday (Discovery Channel, 9 p.m.). The show's director, Simcha Jacobovici, held a news conference in New York Monday to unveil two stone boxes, or ossuaries, that they say once held the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The documentary contends that inscriptions on the ossuaries pinpoint a hillside tomb in Jerusalem as the burial place of Jesus, his possible wife, Mary Magdalene, their son, Judah, and his mother, Mary. Finding a burial site for Jesus, much less a son and evidence of a marriage, would contradict the New Testament, the authors note, and challenge the belief that Jesus rose from the dead."

Actually, this so-called evidence was found some twenty years ago. But filmmaker James Cameron (Titanic) has decided it is time to unveil this find to the world. Some historians are saying this will be a bigger blow to Christianity than The DaVinci Code.

While it will undoubtedly validate the views of unbelievers and shake the faith of the skeptical, true believers will not be moved--though we are certainly annoyed at these ongoing attempts to discredit the Word of God!

How will children react to this news? If they have seen the reports on TV or heard adults discussing it, they may have lots of questions. Teachers might even hear some of those questions come up in their Good News Clubs.

So what is the significance of this development to us as IOTs? We need to be even more vigilant in training our TCE students in how they present the resurrection of Christ. Help your students to see that it is vital that they include this truth. They need to do more than just mention that Jesus rose again. Encourage them to do some teaching about the resurrection. They can tell the children that after Jesus rose from the dead He was seen by hundreds of people. Tell the children Jesus arose in bodily form. People ate with Him, talked to Him and touched Him. His followers so believed the truth of the resurrection they were willing to die for that truth in later years.

We have ample proof of the resurrection of Christ. Scripture says, "He showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs..." (Acts 1:3). We can't share all of that proof with children each time we teach, but we need to be diligent to communicate to them in small bites that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and lives today!