Chapter 1

Calling???

One of the most powerful statements in this chapter that jumped out at me was on page34. It says, "God was choosing Paul for service not based on his ability at that moment. Rather, God called him on the recognition of his potential...what he could be and would be with God's help."

I love this statement.

I am also thankful that God see us not only for what we are but also for what we are going to be. I was just a 14 year old boy when I accepted my calling into ministry. Heaven knows that I was not ready for ministry then but I was ready, at 14, to give my life to the Lord so that he could begin a LONG process of making me. Even today some, 16yrs later, I realize more and more that ministry and life are not events but is a process that will mold me for my destiny in Him. If God is calling you then answer. He is not wanting to make it all happen right now, he just wants to start the process!

A Life Worth Living!!!

This is a must read! I bought it on Monday night at the SC Church of God Prayer Conference and have finished it. I have not been able to put it down. All ministers and laity alike need this book in their possession. I am going to be blogging each chapter this upcoming week as I start reading it again on Sunday.

Check out http://www.alifeworthlivingbook.com/ for more information and to order it. His blog which he is sharing with his sons is listed over on the side of my page. Check it out. I know you will be blessed.

Ministry in Postmodernism???

Postmodernism is a term that is being used to describe society. Postmodernism states that there is NO ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Truth is relative and is only what one perceives it to be.

It can be stressful to minister in this type of world. It is here that we see the church begin to implode. We have struggled to be relevant and have struggled evangelize. Churches are closing everyday b/c we have not attacked the situation. If anything we (the church) have fueled the fire of postmodernism with our statements and our workless faith. The world is telling society that God is dead, Postmodernism tells society that God is whatever you want it to be and the church for the past 20yrs or so have said to the world..."God doesn't move like He did in the good old days." We go onto say, "The power of God used to be so real in our churches and in our lives." What is this saying to society? What is this telling the postmodern world??? These statements tell society that they are right! God is dead and God is just whatever...This reminds me of Judges 2:10..."and there arose a generation after this that did not know the Lord and the works that He had done..."

It is "high time" to awake from this sleep that we have been in and be the Church triumphant!! Jesus said, "The gates of Hell will NOT prevail against the Church." We have stood around the Church and have defended it long enough. We must realize that we have not been called to defend the Church but to advance the Church. IT is Christ's job to defend it. He said that Hell would not prevail against it. He has called me and you to "GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS!" You cannot go (advance) and stay (defend) all at the same time. We must tell the world that God still saves, sanctifies, fills with the Spirit, sets free from bondage, delivers, and heals. We must be a church that is full of signs and wonders. We have to tell a world that they can EXPERIENCE the God that we are serving and when they have tasted and see that He is good, they will come back and drink again! We must turn the postmodern question of "Who am I" into "WHOSE AM I"... "For it is in Him that we live and we move and we have our being.." Let us remember that if God be for us who can be against us...