Head-dibs

A brother sent this to me--enjoy! "Thou art the blessed God, happy in Thyself, source of happiness in Thy creatures, my maker, benefactor, proprietor, upholder. Thou hast produced and sustained me, supported and indulged me, saved and kept me; Thou art in every situation able to meet my needs and miseries. May I live by Thee, live for Thee, never be satisfied with my Christian progress but as I resemble Christ; and may conformity to His principles, temper, and conduct grow hourly in my life. Let Thy unexampled love constrain me into holy obedience, and render my duty my delight. If others deem my faith folly, my meekness infirmity, my zeal madness, my hope delusion, my actions hypocrisy, may I rejoice to suffer for Thy name. Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country of everlasting delights, that paradise-land which is my true inheritance. Support me by the strength of heaven that I may never turn back, or desire false pleasures that will disappear into nothing. As I pursue m...

This is (I believe) one of the greatest poems ever written. Just wanted to share it with you: ***************** BOOTS by Rudyard Kipling We're foot-slog-slog-slog-sloggin' over Africa - Foot-foot-foot-foot-sloggin' over Africa - (Boots-boots-boots-boots-movin' up an' down again!) There's no discharge in the war! Seven-six-eleven-five-nine-an'-twenty mile to-day - Four-eleven-seventeen-thirty-two the day before - (Boots-boots-boots-boots-movin' up an' down again!) There's no discharge in the war! Don't-don't-don't-don't-look at what's in front of you. (Boots-boots-boots-boots-movin' up an' down again) Men-men-men-men-men go mad with watchin' em, An' there's no discharge in the war! Try-try-try-try-to think o' something different - Oh-my-God-keep-me from goin' lunatic! (Boots-boots-boots-boots-movin' up an' down again!) There's no discharge in the war! Count-count-count-count-the bullets i...

Between the atheist who would not dream of financially supporting the church and the Christian who will not financially support the Lord's church? Between the skeptic who does not believe the Bible and the negligent Christian who never reads it? Between those who do not believe in Bible classes and those who choose never to attend a class? Between the atheist who does nothing to build up the Lord's church and the Christian who finds fault with others but does nothing himself? Between a man of the world and a person in the church who lives like a man in the world? Between a man of the world who lives for self, and a person in the church building who lives for self, not God? These are tough questions for Christians who live in a tough world. The fact is that Christians make no difference until they are different. So, what's the difference?

We are familiar with the quip, "whaddya think you are, God's gift to man?" Would you believe that the remark actually came from someone's definition of "ministry?" What does “ministry” mean? "An office and function whereby one proclaims the mystery of godliness. A work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of church leaders that informs theology and practical implementation." (Stitzinger, James. “Pastoral Ministry in History.” TMSJ 6/2 (Fall 1995) 143-80. All quotes hereafter come from this summative article.) FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT: The shepherding love, care, mercy, discipline, compassion and delight of God toward people. FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT: Same as OT plus the wisdom, glory, power and humility of Christ; laying down life for sheep. Elder (presybteros): Administration and spiritual guidance of the church; Bishop/overseer (episkopos): guidance, oversight, leadership in the church; Shepherd/pastor (poimen): position denoting leadership and authority...