Insane

If this was how I had to get to work, I wouldn't go. JM

Help Wanted

So on my drive up here I saw a help wanted sign at a gas station. Here's what it said:

Are you at least 18 years old? Can you pass a drug test? Do you want
to work?

Ummm...they sure aren't setting their standards too high. But what if they changed it just a little bit and instead of focusing on the requirements for employment instead focused on what would make a great gas station employee.

Do you like interacting with people? Do you like a busy
atmosphere? Can you efficiently handle transactions and make people smile?

I'm betting they'd be a lot happier with that person than the person that would respond to the first ad.
Usually when we're filling a lay ministry role, we focus on the first kind of description because we're consumed with the present. We need somebody now and we don't care who. But wouldn't it be better for everybody if we went about it like that second description? JM

Matthew 25:14-30

The reward for doing a good job is more responsibility. Responsibility is reward. If we are responsible with the things that God gives us, then he will give us more responsibilities. We will receive greater levels of influence and importance.
Verse 29 is a tough one:

Those who have much will get more, and they will have much more than they need. But those who do not have much will have everything taken away from them.'

That's different from almost every other verse we read in the Bible. God wants to reward those who are willing to work. If you are willing to work hard for God's glory, then He is willing to bless you beyond what you will ever need. JM

My Wife Left Me

My wife left me this morning. She took the kids. It's all my fault.
Well, really she did leave this morning to go back to St. Louis for the week. I have staff retreat Sunday through Wednesday and then our Crucible retreat Friday through Sunday. So instead of just being by herself all week, she flew home.
It was sad to watch her leave. I watched her go through security and then make her way down the terminal.
I saw Noah as he walked alongside her. As they passed the first gate in the terminal, he looked excitedly out the window and pointed a plane out to mommy. It was really cute to see.
I miss them already. At least I'll be really busy. JM