addiction to ministry [part one]
![addiction to ministry [part one]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/soldier-in-quicksand-150x150.jpg)
What is wrong with me? I came to church with stress hanging on me like an oversized jacket. My heart had focused on people instead of God’s provisions. Ministry failed to excite me. And then it hit me… Like quick sand, the more I struggled the faster the mire sucked me under. Soon, I didn’t [...]
[video] 60 seconds to significance: why is work important?
![[video] 60 seconds to significance: why is work important?](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/60seconds-doug-barr-150x150.jpg)
It’s all about transforming lives. I’ve seen this in rural Kenya, as well as downtown in the city where I live in here in Florida. We all want to feel like we’re able to contribute to society in some way. In fact, I could argue that one of the greatest sources of shame comes [...]
paper or plastic? [the grocery store ministry]
![paper or plastic? [the grocery store ministry]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/grocery-store-100x100.jpg)
My husband Rich and I exchanged apprehensive glances as we stood in line at the grocery store checkstand. Behind us, a man flung his order onto the conveyer belt: two rotisserie chickens, a basket of strawberries, a loaf of French bread, a large bottle of cheap wine. His brows met in a deep furrow above [...]
support your local church
My hands pressed against my face and I stared at my bathroom wall. Most of my intimate conversations with God happen here. Yes, it’s unorthodox. I hope it’s not disrespectful. My thoughts run amuck, but one thought blazes through the rest: What’s going on? Maybe it’s the blogs I read where cynical and discouraged Christians [...]
women ministry leaders in the new testament
Usually when one considers gender leadership issues in the New Testament the first place to look is the well-known verses of Paul that seem to suggest that women should either be quiet in the church or that they should not hold any leadership positions over men. However, before one makes overall conclusions about women in [...]
the pastor and the secular job
I am a paid minister. Ever since I became an ordained minister back in February of 2002 most of my income has been supplied from a local church or parish. Getting paid to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a blessing and a privilege and something I certainly do not take lightly or for [...]
how to pray for your community
This experience in Santo Domingo was totally unexpected. Our team was down there to see how local churches all across the country are transforming their communities, but this one wasn’t on our agenda. It was our last day in the Dominican Republic, and we had already finished all of our meetings. We were making a [...]
[management by God] walking upright
![[management by God] walking upright](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/bible-nerd-100x100.jpg)
I was working in a job a while back that I somewhat enjoyed. And because I had small successes, I thought I was the best thing that ever happened to that company. I thought I knew everything, and there certainly wasn’t anyone around that was about to prove me wrong. When I look back at [...]
[management by God] r-e-s-p-e-c-t
![[management by God] r-e-s-p-e-c-t](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/ArethaFranklin-100x100.jpg)
In the infamous lyrics sung by Aretha Franklin, one verse goes something like this, I’m about to give you all my money, And all I’m askin’ in return honey, Is to give me my profits, When you get home. As The Queen Of Soul sings about wanting a little respect, one thing is certain. It requires [...]
[management by God] greed and desire
![[management by God] greed and desire](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/greed-100x100.jpg)
It’s a question the average Christian has been asking since the “American Dream” was first dreamed. American consumerism tells us that we need more, and if we don’t want more, then there must be something wrong with us. Even the church is split on this issue of “how much money is enough”. On one side, [...]
management by God [the end of an era]
![management by God [the end of an era]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/mbG_ad-100x100.gif)
Is the Bible relevant in a secular workplace? That’s the question that I was suddenly confronted with during a mentoring session by a VP with whom I worked closely. We were studying a book together, and I expressed that some of the principles didn’t jive completely with my Christian world view. So I was (respectfully) challenged [...]
live [micro]blogging at #ICSEX for 2010-09-27
![live [micro]blogging at #ICSEX for 2010-09-27](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/icsex-stage-100x100.jpg)
NEW POST: [#ICSEX] something’s gotta change: I’ve been waiting for today for a long time. I… http://goo.gl/fb/pnZT8 # Been chattin’ w/ @cmarkley… and even let him buy me a coffee. That dude rocks! # stage setup for @theideacamp looks pretty cool… http://twitpic.com/2sl8ab # Opening Session The first reason sexual addiction is a difficult issue culturally [...]
a hermeneutic on gender and ministry [#ICSEX]
![a hermeneutic on gender and ministry [#ICSEX]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/first-century-synagogue-100x100.jpg)
Few things bother me as much as misinterpreted and misapplied scripture. And (I believe) one of the worst examples of this is around the issue of women’s role in ministry in the church. There are many that disagree with women being active in ministry, and others that would go so far as to say that [...]
the seventy-two project
Later the Master selected seventy(-two) and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands. On your way! [...]
[highcallingblogs.com] how to engage community on facebook
![[highcallingblogs.com] how to engage community on facebook](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/DSC09444-300x201-100x100.jpg)
Note: This is an excerpt of a featured Community post (written by yours truly!) at HighCallingBlogs.com. Facebook is a game-changer. Say what you want about sites like MySpace, Twitter, or a number of others, but Facebook is the killer app that brought social networking into the mainstream. Social networking is ultimately about community, and not just surfing [...]
[real-time connections] author’s closing thoughts
![[real-time connections] author's closing thoughts](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/Roberts-0004-100x100.png)
I’m really excited about Realtime Connections for several reasons: First, it’s for everyday disciples – not just preachers. My other books have been geared primarily to pastors and church leaders, but many everyday disciples wound up reading them and wanted something more practical. Also, when the Great Commission is fulfilled it will take the whole [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 10: stop subverting the message
![[real-time connections] chapter 10: stop subverting the message](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/dome-of-the-rock-100x100.jpg)
As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in one of Dan’s group blogging projects. Initially I had asked Dan for a different chapter assignment. Apparently my reply to “Dan only” was against group blogging protocol and the chapter I requested was given to another. That was fine with me as I [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 9: making space for everyone
![[real-time connections] chapter 9: making space for everyone](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/founding_fathers-100x100.jpg)
I don’t know what I expected when I volunteered to lead the discussion on chapter nine of our BibleDude group blogging project, but it wasn’t a discussion on religious freedom. With a title like Making Space For Everyone, I was thinking tolerance; I was thinking love (I like to talk about those things). Bob Roberts, [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 8: sweating the work
![[real-time connections] chapter 8: sweating the work](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/Construction_Workers-100x100.jpg)
I must confess to you a scandalous secret: I have an aversion to Evangelism. Oh, dear reader, please do not hate me! This distaste does not stem from a lack of love for my God – it’s just that my experience with evangelism has always been so – um, what’s the word? Fake. I think [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 5: living as a disciple
![[real-time connections] chapter 5: living as a disciple](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/flower-in-the-road-100x100.jpg)
Recently my wife and I were out to dinner and I was moved to asked her this question, “Are we serving God enough?” Our first response was no, but as we thought more about our lives and our involvement with our children, church, and school, we felt that we were serving our Lord to our [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 4: linking to the world
![[real-time connections] chapter 4: linking to the world](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/global-ripple-100x100.jpg)
The fourth chapter of Real-Time Connections by Bob Roberts Jr. focuses on “Linking to the World.” The first several chapters laid out his vision – that we would make disciples not through increased ‘church-based’ activity, but by being obedient in our every day lives. Robert’s does have a disadvantage in writing about how to get [...]
[real-time connections] chapter 3: your job is your ministry
![[real-time connections] chapter 3: your job is your ministry](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/pillars-of-labour-100x100.jpg)
Alternate title: Some Unholy Questions About Work In Chapter 2 of Real Time Connections, Bob Roberts, Jr., talks about “Hearing God’s Call.” As Senior Editor for TheHighCalling.org and HighCallingBlogs.com, I thought this would be a good chapter for me. Bob Roberts tells the story of his own calling to ministry. As an eight-year-old kid, he [...]
group blogging project: real-time connections
When Jesus instructs us to, “GO into all the world,” we often struggle with exactly how we can do that when we have to keep up with our jobs and families. If that describes you, then you’ll want to check out this latest group blogging project on a new book called Real-Time Connections. Zondervan describes the book [...]
