Hold the applause...

Have you noticed how much - explicit and implicit - applause occurs in the church these days? Such as the current wave of using worldly methods to attract people to church - I've written about it* before and it's still really bugging me.

Decades ago I remember my pastor (Pastor T) saying,

"The church is becoming too worldly and the world is becoming churchy."

It's truly really sad what the world is becoming and even sadder what the church is becoming. Actually it's quite unbecoming which is why the question I keep asking myself and others about some of the things I see is: "With all this is God applauding us or is He appalled."

 

I can start off a list but I'm sure that you know some examples of situations that people applaud and God is saying "Hold the applause" since He's appalled with what we're doing or not doing.

In my opinion, the only thing worse than Salt (i.e. us) not coming out of the Salt-shaker** is Salt that is out if the Salt-shaker and its impact is not obvious…

 

Matthew 5:13 says “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” (MSG)

God's expectation is that we are integrated with not isolated from the world we live in so we can influence them positively. The question is what are our churches imparting to our members...it's only with what is within them/us that we can make impact wherever we are.

Bottom-line: 

"Hold the applause", pause, ponder then proceed in the direction that pleases God.

 

References:

* http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2015/11/its-no-playing-matter.html

http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-salty-is-your-church.html







 

It's not automatic

The Bible is truly the Basic Instruction Book for Living on Earth (two other spell-outs: "Basic Instructions Before Living Eternally" and Believer's Instruction Before Leaving Earth").

Assisting or...

...Resisting?

This question crossed my mind as the title of a post several months ago. I kept resisting until the Lord forcefully "assisted" me by reminding me of this Scripture and insisted I get on with it - no matter what people will think or say so here we go.

Oh I wish...

As I lay in bed thinking about this year's Mother's Day post, this verse came to mind:

Matthew 23:37 - “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. You stone to death those that God has sent to you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather them together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me. (ERV, emphasis mine)

In His Presence there's joy

...what about in yours?

This topic came to my mind when I read this passage a few months ago.  As I started writing this, I remembered that I'd written on the topic before - but let's continue on this one. You can read the previous post* later.

Show me, don't tell me

I believe we can learn a lot from the "Show and Tell" activities they have in schools. I've noticed that there is so much "Tell" and sadly little "Show" in some churches.


I like the way the Amplified and Amplified Classic Versions respectively render Romans 12:3:

For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. 

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

While I'm not against people highlighting their accomplishments in life - and in their "former churches", it's a well-known fact that previous performance is not a predictor of future returns. This is true not just in the investment world but also in the Ministry.


Sadly, I've seen too many people who I'd say "have an exaggerated opinion of their importance" and start off by introducing themselves with titles such as "Pastor" "Minister" and saying all that they did with Pastor so-and-so. In essence (and in my opinion), name-dropping in order to gain immediate recognition and maybe positions in their new church. If/when they talk their way into the positions, there is no commensurate performance.


I'm really saddened when people want to be recognized but don't want to be held accountable. When I hear people reciting their "Ministry Resumes" I say (to myself):

 "Show me, don't tell me."  

It hurts...

...but pays

A few months ago, I awakened thinking about humility and Mrs. Pastor then said to myself: "Sometimes it hurts" and decided that I'd write about it. BTW, I know I'm taking a risk...

"Forget the mold"

The Holy Spirit laid this topic and instruction in my heart as 1 Samuel 9: 1-2 was being read as part of one Sermon last month:

The Project

It's been exactly 5 years to the day, since I launched this blog. This was all because I felt I needed to have a place where I could to express myself...so I decided to create the space.


As I prepared for this post, I looked back to the very first post
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2011/04/mrs-pastor.html
and smiled at how much has not changed and how much has also changed.


For instance, these promises have not failed - God has fulfilled and continues to fulfill them:

Your future will be brighter by far than your past.

(Job 8:7 - Contemporary English Version)

 

I will bless you with a future filled with hope -

a future of success, not of suffering.

(Jer 29:11- Contemporary English Version)

I really thank God for how much He has helped me mature and retain my focus on Him not on my husband or even on members of our church for affirmation. Yes - look UP not beside...

Back to the focus of this post - I remember the first time I mentioned this "Project" and my husband gave me the "Green light" to proceed - yes I thank my husband for his support too. Many times, over the past 5 years I've told him that I was tired of doing this and he kept encouraging me to keep writing...and I kept (and will continue) taking the leap (http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2016/02/take-leap.html)

So as Mrs. Pastor celebrates 5 years of existence, I decided to write this piece to encourage you - yes any and every other Mrs Pastor who God has laid a "Project" in your heart to get on with it. You don't need people's applause - just God's approval.

Know and focus on your Purpose...on purpose. You have a #YOUnique Purpose... 

I totally agree with Robert Byrne that: "The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

Just as you are the only person who can fill and fulfill the role of your husband's wife, you're also the only one and best fit for any assignment God has given you...please get on with it.

Take a LEAP...

At the time I wrote this title, I had no idea what the content of the post would be.
Then I was inspired to look for pictures - it is true that a picture is worth a thousand words...