Somethings are Worth Fighting For

Sam: It's like in the great stories Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that mean something even if you were to small to understand why. But I think Mr. Frodo, I do understand, I know now folk in those stories had losts of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding onto something.

Frodo: What are we holding on Sam?

Sam: That there's some good in the world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.

Quote of the Day

“First, there are the cop-outs. These people set no goals and make no decisions. Second, there are the holdouts. They have a beautiful dream, but they’re afraid to respond to its challenge because they aren’t sure if they can make it. Third, there are the dropouts. They start to make their dream come true. They know their role. They set their goals, but when the going gets tough, they quit. They don’t pay the toll. Finally, there are the all-outs. They are the people who know their role. They are going to be stars. They want to shine out as an inspiration to others. They set their goals…the all-outs never quit. Even when the
toll gets heavy, they’re dedicated. They’re committed.” — Robert H. Schuller

How to Dress a Wound

“And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” (Luke 10:33,34)

In the course of life, emotional and spiritual wounds are to be expected from time to time. Whether these are inflicted maliciously or by accident, proper treatment for the wound is necessary for healing to take place. Treatment and a visit to the Great Physician, should be the first course of action for all wound victims. Below are other important tips for dressing a wound:

1. Don’t let the wound get “dirty.” Yes, it’s true that the wound hurts. But our reaction to the injury can be like putting dirt into an actual wound, causing a serious infection. Let repentance clean out the “infectious” elements of the wound. If you are faithful to remain pure and humble before God, He will send healing into the hurt areas of our lives. (Psalm 25:9)

2. Remember, the doctor didn’t inflict the injury. When there is a wound inflicted, it’s easy to look for someone to blame. Many times, people turn the blame on God. However, He is the One who can relieve the pain and bring about healing. Talk to the Lord about your hurts and let Him prescribe something that will help. (James 1:17)

3. Listen to the doctor. After the Lord has given you His prescription, take your medicine like a good child of God. If it’s a pill of forgiveness that He has told you to take, then swallow it. Follow the Doctor’s orders and you will experience a release from the pain of your situation. (Proverbs 17:22)

4. Remove the “bandage.” You can’t keep a bandage on forever and expect the wound to heal. Get into some Christian fellowship again, and let the air of friendship and connection bring healing to your soul. (Acts 2:42)

5. Don’t pick at the “scab.” Too many people reopen wounds by revisiting the cause of the injury. Be very careful in your thoughts and conversations with others. (Philippians 4:8)

6. Remember, you can be healed. It’s up to you. With proper divine attention and intervention, you can be stronger than ever after an injury! (Psalm 107:20)

Peace

Peace in today’s society is a commodity much desired and rarely found.
 
Looking for Peace?

We live in a world that is looking for peace. Most of us are more familiar with tension, stress and anxiety than peace. Lack of peace is the result of our complex, accelerated and stressed-out world. If you can complete these sentences with the appropriate word, you need to learn what resources are offered you by the “God of Peace.”

…I am ready to throw in the… (towel).
…I am at the end of my…(rope).
…I am just a bundle of…(nerves).
…I am at my wits…(end).
…I feel like resigning from the human…(race).
…I am in over my…(head).

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart!  And the peace I give
isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 14:27

Old hymn that says – “Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea 
Or demons or men or whatever it be, 
No waters can swallow the ship where lies 
The Master of ocean and earth and skies. 
They all shall sweetly obey thy will: 
Peace, be still.”

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A CHURCH WHEN GETTING A NEW PASTOR By Dr. Jim Garlow

There are many pastors that I know that are about to take a new church, and many churches that are seeking a pastor. This article was Preached by Dr. Jim Garlow on October 8, 1995 as he was leaving Metroplex Chapel in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, (which he had planted 13 years earlier) to go to Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, California. I believe many churches will find it very beneficial as they move into the next season of their corporate journey.

1. Let your new pastor dream his dream. Let him have his own vision. Don’t tie him to the previous pastor’s vision. Let the previous pastor’s vision go. Release him. Embrace the new.

2. Let him be himself. He will be different than the previous pastor. If he is hilariously funny, let him be a clown. If he is unusually serious, let him be somber. Appreciate his uniqueness.

3. Commit to stand with him through the hard times. The honeymoon will eventually end. Be committed to him for the “long haul”. Put a defense around him. He will be attacked. Make sure you’re not one of the attackers. Don’t make him take the hits. Help protect him from the people with a “Jezebel spirit” who want to control and manipulate him and “till outside their vineyard.”

4. Let him lead. If you are part of the old staff that remains, give him your loyalty. If you are a board member who remains, give him full allegiance. Be committed to follow him.

5. Support him even when he can’t publicly explain why he had to make a certain decision. Bear in mind that pastors frequently cannot defend themselves in order to protect the guilty. They have to remain quiet about issues. Often times they have to dismiss a staff member, or remove a lay person from leadership (yes even when they first arrive) and yet they cannot discuss it. Consequently, the pastor receives criticism. If people knew the truth, they would support their pastor. Don’t try to be God. Just be quiet and support your pastor.

6. Release him from being your “best buddy”. He probably won’t be. If the church numbers above 100, it is more than he can possibly be close to, socially. Let him love you – and he will – but don’t try to spend large amounts of social time with him. He can’t physically spread himself around that thin.

7. Let his wife be herself. (This is assuming you are calling a male pastor, of course.) If she is hilariously funny and outgoing, let her be that way. If she is unbelievably quiet and shy, don’t attack her for not being friendly. If she is incredibly stylish, don’t criticize her. If she is non-stylish and looks out of date, it’s okay. The church will survive that too. If her skirts appear expensive, that’s her business. If her skirts are too short, be quiet and look the other way. Bottom line: Let her be herself. (NOTE: If your pastor is a female…well, you know how to “translate” this.)

8. Look for opportunities to encourage and affirm him. Find every opportunity verbally, by written notes, or other ways to encourage your pastor. The church will reap huge rewards.

9. Stay focused on the big picture. With the single exception of a pastor denying the reality of Jesus, there has never been a church fight that was really worth it. Don’t leave the church over any issue, unless he stops preaching that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, died on the cross for our sins, physically resurrected, and is coming back again. As long as he preaches that, love him and stay with him. Bottom line: chill out! The 11th Commandment says, “Thou shalt not sweat it!” So don’t. Two years later, that issue won’t matter, but the big picture will – so focus on it.

10. Stand by your church. By all means, don’t leave the church during this time of transition. Of course it will be a difficult period. Transitions always are. But your church stood with you during your difficult times, so…stand with your church during her difficult times. It needs you. While you are in the transition it feels like it will last forever. But it won’t. When it passes, you will be glad you stayed put. If you expect your church to stand with you, then stand with it…no matter what!