Thursday, March 26, 2009

...Pastor Wayne Cordeiro of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Hawaii... said that each person's plate is a different size; each person needs to first find the size of their plate and then fill it only with those things that are of highest priority. And, before adding any additional things to our full plate, we must take something else off to leave space for the new duty. Finding the size of one's plate takes time and attention. For example, I have personally seen that high-level leaders have an energy level that is unusually high and those working under them who seek to keep up with their pace find themselves quickly burning out.
Mark Driscoll. DEATH BY MINISTRY.
Setting: three weeks of Pre-Ranger school… difficult field exercises… non-stop rain for four days… wet, sleeping in puddles, under only a poncho in 40 degree weather.

My buddy almost quit because of hypothermia. I began to pray and to try to encourage him but deep down I was ready to give up too. As I kept praying and encouraging my friend, I began to believe what I was telling him. As a result, we both made it through.

Letter from a friend.

Monday, March 23, 2009

May I not be like those who do not make You their strength but trust in the abundance of their wealth...

Adapted from Psalm 52:7 by Kenneth Boa. FACE TO FACE: PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES FOR INTIMATE WORSHIP.
Give me grace for such an act of self-recollection as may again bring together the scattered forces of my soul.

John Baillie. A DIARY OF PRIVATE PRAYER. Sunday. Morning.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them. It is God’s love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His Ear. So it is His work that we do for our brother when we learn to listen to him. Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking.

Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking when they should be listening.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer. LIFE TOGETHER.