Weird title, I know. I've been involved in ministry for quite a while now and I think it entitles me to question certain things, like: will the debate over hymns vs chorus' ever end? Will people ever regain their personal involvement in the mission of the church and not leave it up to the professionals (pastors)? Do we need Royal Rangers to succeed in reaching boys (to anyone affiliated with Royal Rangers-please don't be offended by that one, it's just an example)? Does it really matter what color the carpet is? Will the world really end if we rearrange the stage every so often? But more serious questions as well, like: Does anyone in the community even know where our church is? Are we making a difference in people's lives-who don't regularly attend our church? Is the ministry we work so hard at actually producing the results it needs to be producing-people equipped to do ministry themselves? Are we humbly seeking God's direction in the things we do, or have we just become very good at giving God permission to bless our efforts? Are we praying? Are we growing? Are we surrendered? I'm reminded of these questions when I see church services that are so well put together that it seems like they are an end in themselves, and not a means to an end. Don't misunderstand my sentiment, I enjoy a quality service done with excellence in every area, but if the thing is steeped in flash and no foundation, it's dangerous and ultimately ineffective. If the leaders are all charisma, hype, and flash, then I have a fear that the ministry has drifted, maybe in small ways, from its purpose. Just some thoughts. Simple application: Guard your ministry by asking yourself this question: Is my "flash" fleshy? (is it about me?)

I was reminded again this week of Isaiah 44:12 vv- "The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm...the carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; and roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man..that it may dwell in a shrine...he cut down cedars...it's man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles the fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it." Simple application: what common thing are you allowing to become an idol in your life?

"If you want to maintain an image of infallibility, find something else to do besides leading people," J. Oswald Sanders

Quote from Randy Alcorn's book: The Grace and Truth Paradox.

Alcorn states, "We should never approach truth except in a spirit of grace, or grace except in a spirit to truth. Jesus wasn't 50 percent grace, 50 percent truth, but 100 percent grace, 100 percent truth." (John 1:14) Through an amazing analogy, Alcorn illustrates the power of God's grace. Imagine a great and generous king. In the midst of his benevolent reign, he hears that his subjects have revolted. He sends messengers to investigate. The rebels kill them. So he sends his own dear son, the prince. They murder him viciously, hanging his body on the city wall. What would you expect the king to do now? Send his armies and take revenge, right? Kill those rebels! Burn their villages to ashes! The king certainly has both the power and the right to avenge himself. But what if the king turned around and offered these criminals a full pardon? "I will accept my son - whom you murdered - as the pyment for all your rebellion. You may go free. All I require is for you to admit your transgressions and embrace my son's purchase of your forgiveness." We'd be stunned - blown away - to hear this, wouldn't we? But the king's not finished. "I invite any of you to come live in my palace, eat at my table, and enjoy all the pleasures of my kingdom. And I will adopt you as my own children and make you my heirs, so everything tht's mine will be yours forever." Incredible. Then he says, "I won't force you to accept my offer. But the only alternative is spending the rest of your life in prison. The choice is yours." That is a grace that is hard to comprehend. That is the grace we have been given. Yet some still want to point a finger at God and call Him unjust and unfair.

A basic belief that life is a bigger story than simply the story of us would lead anyone to believe that there must be a plan for life, and that plan must be discovered and followed. The Planner of the plan has a plan for every life. When worry and doubt cloud our abilities to figure out the plan, it’s not a stretch to assume that the plan is being forced and not followed. Forcing is not listening, not trusting, not humble, not surrendered, and not best. Following is focused on knowing that there is a plan, it’s lining up with that plan, it’s listening, it’s trusting, it’s humble, it’s surrendered, and it is the best option for living with purpose. I think forcing is a symptom and expression of selfishness. Forcing only happens when something isn’t meeting our expectations or desires. When things are one way and we think they should be another, we force. When things don’t meet our comforts, we force. When things give an advantage to another person over us, we force. We manipulate, and conform, our circumstances according to whatever we desire. Isn’t this the American dream? Making your life into something important, something great, and something worthwhile? The American dream doesn’t have to be baptized in the fire of selfish expression and then forced. It can be an expression of diligent and selfless following.

Joshua 3, "Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites (remember there was millions of them) set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before...Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." There are more than a few great things in this passage, but one that stands out as extremely relevant. Joshua had an issue on his hands...getting millions of people to cross a river that was by no means an easy obstacle. He could have looked at this situation as simply something that needed a little hard work or planning, maybe even delegating the decision of what to do to a committee. But Joshua knew that this issue needed to be fought on spiritual grounds, and that is why he sent the Ark of the Covenant (the physical representation of God's presence) before the people, so that they could follow God's presence and direction. Simple application: What issues or obstacles are we facing that we have been trying to overcome with our own abilities, rather than by trusting in God and seeking His presence and guidance? I believe we can listen and hear Joshua saying to us: "consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." part one part two

Check this out. Unbelievable. Really. woman stuck to toliet