What is professionalism? Professionalism is doing something because you’ve gotten good at it, good enough for people to pay you for it. It might not even feel that much like a job. But professionalism hollows out gospel ministry. Professionalized ministry flows out of a man’s own adequacy and gains for him a successful career. If you have a professional mentality, you will pray that God will bless your efforts. But if you have a biblical mentality, you will go beyond that. You will pray that God will do for you what only He can do, for the display of His glory alone.
Ray Ortlund

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A Hero Comes Home

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#1 · April 6, 2003, 12:01 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

<> A Hero Comes Home <>

A hero made it home today
America cried and wept
We felt the pain of grief and loss
For the family that was left.
 
A hero walked the golden stairs
To a mansion in the sky
I wonder if he looked back to earth
And whispered "America Please Don't Cry"
 
I only did what I had to do
I fought to keep you free
And if you really want to
There's something you can do for me.
 
I know my MOM is weeping
Her heart is about to break
Having to give me up
Is almost too much to take.
 
The favor that I'm asking
Please keep her in your prayer
It will make my leaving easier
Just knowing you'll be there.
 
Ryan AMERICA loves you
We thank you for your work
You're one BIG SOLDIER in our eyes
For the duty you never shirked.
 
When we thank GOD for our freedom
It is you who will come to mind
We will ask a special blessing
On the family you left behind.
 
Sharon Steege
 
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<> DON'T WE ALL <>
 
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come
from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work. Coming
my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a
bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes,
and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other
times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those
"don't want to be bothered times."
 
"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.
 
He didn't.
 
He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look
like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
 
After a few minutes he spoke.
 
"That's a very pretty car," he said.
 
He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly
blond beard keep more than his face warm.
 
I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.
 
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never
came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him
if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held
true to the inner voice.
 
"Do you need any help?" I asked.
 
He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never
forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it
from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing
but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.
 
"Don't we all?" he said.
 
I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in
the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun.
 
Don't we all?
 
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed
help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare,
but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three
little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how
much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you
have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or
a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you
can give that.
 
You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.
They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different
perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from
daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.
 
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe
he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and
wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.
 
Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then
said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."
 
Don't we all?
 
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Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
 
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