A friend shared with me she had just finished reading a book called “The One Thing You Can’t Do in Heaven.” She noted that the author was a “bit over-the-top by human standards”, but he was a modern day Paul.
The quote she shared with me was very inspiring & I want to share it with you. It is called “Fellowship of the Unashamed”:
I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.
I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.
I won’t give up, back up, let up or shut up until I’ve preached up prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.
My colors will be clear. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ…”
Rom. 1:16
She remarked “What a place this would be if Christians actually lived like this?”
Well I challenge you- why not live like this? Live out loud the calling God has placed in your heart. After all, doesn’t change begin with you?
Check out the first part of this post Economy Got You Down? Part 1
Soulman: Provider of Soul Food.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
ECONOMY GOT YOU DOWN? Part 1
Recently, I was reading in my devotional time and I was reminded of a very encouraging passage in Matthew 17.
Peter is asked for tax money by some officials. What's interesting is that the disciples had very little. Often, we see them with only the clothes on their backs wandering from town to town following their seemingly poor Lord. Where would they get the money? How could a group of rag-tag fisherman without two nickels meet this bill?
Well, Jesus tells Peter to do something unusual. He tells Peter to go fishing and the first fish Peter catches has money in its mouth. That money pays their bills! Jesus answers the need with a miracle!
As I talk to other Pastors, a theme is clear across the country: Churches are struggling financially. One prominent Pastor I talked to recently shared that his church is hundreds of thousands of dollars behind in their giving. Two days ago, I heard of another church laying off four of its Pastors due to low finances. Times are hard for everyone. People are not able to give like they could in the past. The downturn in the economy has caused us to turn down ministry opportunities.
But here's the good news. God is still our Leader. Throughout history, the Church, more than any other institution, has shown remarkable resilience. As a matter of fact, the Church often is at its best during hardship because hardship forces us to rely on God more. Difficulties remind us that all comfort, all prosperity, all that we hold dear comes from one source, Jesus Christ.
Check out the rest of this post in Economy Got You Down? Part 2
Peter is asked for tax money by some officials. What's interesting is that the disciples had very little. Often, we see them with only the clothes on their backs wandering from town to town following their seemingly poor Lord. Where would they get the money? How could a group of rag-tag fisherman without two nickels meet this bill?
Well, Jesus tells Peter to do something unusual. He tells Peter to go fishing and the first fish Peter catches has money in its mouth. That money pays their bills! Jesus answers the need with a miracle!
As I talk to other Pastors, a theme is clear across the country: Churches are struggling financially. One prominent Pastor I talked to recently shared that his church is hundreds of thousands of dollars behind in their giving. Two days ago, I heard of another church laying off four of its Pastors due to low finances. Times are hard for everyone. People are not able to give like they could in the past. The downturn in the economy has caused us to turn down ministry opportunities.
But here's the good news. God is still our Leader. Throughout history, the Church, more than any other institution, has shown remarkable resilience. As a matter of fact, the Church often is at its best during hardship because hardship forces us to rely on God more. Difficulties remind us that all comfort, all prosperity, all that we hold dear comes from one source, Jesus Christ.
Check out the rest of this post in Economy Got You Down? Part 2
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Why Blog?
Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog.
To be honest with you, I didn't want to have one. First of all, I find it difficult to believe that people would want to take the time to read it. Why read a blog by your's truly when there are so many more worthy writings out there? I'd rather read C.S. Lewis than R.B. Hayes any day!
I also didn't think I could keep up with another responsibility. Four kids, a growing church, attending the grand opening of my garage door . . . life is busy!
But my staff convinced me that people may want to know me more and might actually read this thing. And my outstanding assistant, Sheila Long, pointed out that numerous questions have come across my email account that represent real questions on the hearts of so many. For years, she has kept files on my pastoral responses to such questions.
So, as a start, the following blog contains a collection of topics based on snippets of email discussions between a pastor and his congregation. I offer it as a beginning. As my blogging skills grow, I'll add to this body of information with journal entries, random thoughts, poetry, pictures, and whatever else I can think of. Hopefully, you'll be blessed and God will be glorified.
Thanks for your interest and Happy Reading!
Grace,
Rusty
To be honest with you, I didn't want to have one. First of all, I find it difficult to believe that people would want to take the time to read it. Why read a blog by your's truly when there are so many more worthy writings out there? I'd rather read C.S. Lewis than R.B. Hayes any day!
I also didn't think I could keep up with another responsibility. Four kids, a growing church, attending the grand opening of my garage door . . . life is busy!
But my staff convinced me that people may want to know me more and might actually read this thing. And my outstanding assistant, Sheila Long, pointed out that numerous questions have come across my email account that represent real questions on the hearts of so many. For years, she has kept files on my pastoral responses to such questions.
So, as a start, the following blog contains a collection of topics based on snippets of email discussions between a pastor and his congregation. I offer it as a beginning. As my blogging skills grow, I'll add to this body of information with journal entries, random thoughts, poetry, pictures, and whatever else I can think of. Hopefully, you'll be blessed and God will be glorified.
Thanks for your interest and Happy Reading!
Grace,
Rusty
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