Ready or not, here it comes, and it has been coming for some time.  Simple church, organic church, or whatever you choose to call it is a evolving phenomena worldwide.  I personally have been making the transition from a “regular” church pastor to whatever I am now – whatever that is.

All I know is that I love the Lord and continue to have a strong desire to help people come to know Him in reality and truth.  I am still an elder and leader in the body of Christ but this is more of a function rather than a title.  To most I am just Jim, Dr Jim, hey you or just buddy.  Very seldom am I called reverent or anything close to it – not these days.

I remember when I worked as a mental health professional and longed for the days that I could be in full-time ministry.  I spent my working hours helping people who were in emotional and mental distress but I longed to be in full-time ministry.

Frequently my job required me to work with the local compassion ministry after hours that provided food, clothing and shelter, but I longed to be in full-time ministry.

One day, I was talking with a long time friend and when I shared my dilemma he said, “you’re already in full-time ministry brother”.  It was like scales fell off my eyes and I could see the truth.

Unfortunately, I fell into the mold of the full-time pastor – starting a church congregation, attending pastor’s meetings, a lot of preaching and teaching etc.  I must tell you, my life was much more exciting and fulfilling before I took on this role.  Now it seems God is bringing me full circle, after about 15 years.

Maybe you are longing for full-time ministry?  You need to get free from that erroneous idea.  God does not want us living our lives in these self created Christian ghettos.  Look at the life of Jesus – where did he spend most of his time?  In temples and synagogues ? – I don’t think so.

What do you believe is your purpose?  Why are you here on planet earth?  What need has God created you to fulfill?  Do you know, or do you struggle with this whole idea of living life on purpose?

One day I sat down prayerfully before God and I could see that my vocation, my purpose, is to be a people helper.  Whether I am in front of a crowd giving a speech, or sitting in a small group of people, I flow in my purpose, and I do not have to try that hard to do it either.  This is me, this is who I am.

I would like to see more and more people delivered from religious nonsense.  Let’s get rid of the idea of full-time ministry.  The great success is when what you do most of the time is what you feel you are called to do.  This is why I love the concept of Simple Church – it facilitates a simple life – one in which you are free to be who you are.

Do you love kids?  Do you spend most of your time around them – whether through a job or some volunteer activity? Maybe you are mom or grand mom to the neighborhood.  Just be free to flow in your purpose.  You do not need to be in children’s ministry in a formal church, although that is ok if that is what you feel you need to do.  Just get free of all the religious nonsense.

What you and I do does not define us.  God defines us in the purpose he calls us to, and we are free to enjoy His desire for our lives.  This is how we are designed to flow in life.

You might be reading this post and thinking, “Oh here we go again, and it’s another one of those Christian sites.  If this is what you’re thinking you may be right.  I am a follower of Jesus so in this sense I am Christian.  If you think I am one of those mean people who has a problem with everybody else then you are wrong.

Jesus came to save sinners and like Paul the apostle, I am chief or one of the main ones.  Let him who is without sin cast the first stone – Jesus said this once.  I have my own issues and I do not have time or the desire to judge you for yours.

I think I have rambled enough for now.  I am waiting for my granddaughter to have her first child.  Yes, I am getting ready to be a great grand pop but don’t let your imagination run away with you, I am not that old – she is just young.

I use to love to hear an old song called, “If I can help somebody” ,when I was growing up.  If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.  Think about it, helping somebody – anybody.  What an idea!  Till next time.

During the months following this tragedy it was a good time to reevaluate some things in our lives including my decision whether to continue with this website.  I have finally decided to keep it going but with some significant changes.

We will be posting alot more content including video and audio.  Lood for the focus to be more on personal development with very practical strategies on how to improve your life. Till next time, Jim

How would I be able to raise our children alone? What would I do without my wife? What would our children do without their mother?The next few days were like a bad dream. I would have gladly traded places with Althea. I knew she was with the Lord in heaven and I envied the fact that she was free from all problems and worries. I asked God why she died and not me. He had to know that our kids really needed their Mom. I had some other questions too. Was there anything else I could have done to change things? Did I pray enough or exercise faith enough for my wife’s healing? What did I do wrong?

I began to cry out to God like a drowning man gasping for air. If we were to survive as a family we needed His help. The circumstances we faced did not allow me the luxury of going through the motions of prayer – I needed to know how to really pray and make contact with the Lord. All the questions of why things happened gradually gave way to more pressing needs. Everyday seemed to bring new challenges. Lives were hanging in the balance and I needed God’s help.

I know you have heard this before but — God is faithful. He helped us. He has proven His faithfulness time and time again since those tragic days. During the process of writing this book I found it very difficult to dwell upon some of the painful experiences of the past. But each time I remembered the pain or sorrow I also thought about how the Lord brought us through. In the process, He has shown me some of His truths that have revolutionized my life. ..

Some of the questions I had when my first wife died were never answered but that is not a problem for me. I know God is in control. I know that he never once stopped loving my children and me during that time of overwhelming tragedy and change. I realize now that some of my questions were motivated more by some wrong ideas I had concerning God and the process of faith. Many things are becoming clearer as the Lord continues to bring me into a place of knowing Him…

My desire is that God will touch you through the reading of this book so that you come to realize and appropriate the wonderful power of prayer. Just relax – there is no pressure for us to perform. God will stir us into action but first let us come to Him and learn.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30 – The Message)

Here is a link to the free e-book click here

ENCOURAGEMENT

The secret, the law of attraction, the golden rule – all of these phrases has been very popular lately. Let me share with you a key that I have found to true success – it is encouragement.

Encourage – to inspire with courage, spirit or hope. To hearten, to spur on, giving hope or promise, inspiriting. Hearten means to give heart to, to encourage. Inspirit means to fill with spirit. To inspire is to influence, move or guide. It is to motivate, to move the intellect and emotions.

I want to encourage you today. Encouragement is one of the most powerful things that can happen to us or flow through us. During times of discouragement, it can seem like a life preserver when you are going down in the dark water for the third and last time.

When all hope seems to be gone it isn’t. Why would I take the time to write a post like this on a business site? Why?; because it is the key to true success.

In my brief time in e-commerce, I have seen that those who really care about people, and try to help and encourage them, are the ones really successful.

Are there people making a ton of money on the internet who are just after the money? Absolutely! But listen to this observer. I have been around long enough to recognize the markers to true success.

When a car crashes, if there is enough speed and force, there is a danger of it catching fire. There are many heading for a crash in internet/web marketing, but, I know it does not have to happen.

Today, choose to be an encourager. When you do you will find yourself moving in the other standard markers of success – like telling the truth, respecting your family, good financial habits etc.

Till next time,  Jim