Throw a party this month!
 Matthew 18
16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends,
 17 ‘We played wedding songs,
      and you didn’t dance,
   so we played funeral songs,
      and you didn’t mourn.’
 18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

What results is Jesus talking about here? What is the conflict?
Well it seems the religious leaders of Jesus;’ day were getting very upset because Jesus was going to lots of parties, drinking and eating.
They did not like that Jesus was ‘hanging out with’ a whole bunch of sinners, and seemingly enjoying Himself!!
Yet Jesus replies, “wisdom is show to be right by its results”. In other words, what Jesus was doing would be proven right if it had good results. I reckon the results Jesus was talking about was people becoming Christians.
As Christians we can get very comfortable in our “holy huddles” . I know I can! Do you ever find yourself wondering if you have any non church friends? Maybe its time to make some!!
Throw a party!
Melinda and I are throwing a street party this year, and I dare say there will be lots of drinking and eating. Pray there are also some wonderful results. Maybe you could think of something you could do for your friends this year?

The last post on this subject went a little off skew, perhaps because I like to stir.
In an Aussie context, what do we mean by results?
Surely the key is leading people to Christ.
But how long will that take?
Some people say as much as 5 years, maybe more.

I do know this. If people are going to follow Christ, we need to befriend them, and that takes time.
Jesus, in the passage listed below, went to a lot of parties, and threw a few Himself, including supplying the drinks (no skippers required in Jerusalem though!)

Maybe we should do the same. Maybe the focus of our efforts should be borne out of love and friendship, not programs.
Programs can and should facilitate relationships. But having the best programs in the world wont do squat if people aren’t prepared to get out of their shells and make friends. I find that tough.

Matthew 11
18 For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man,[f] on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

I am the 107,565richest person in the world!
You may need to go here first

http://coinmill.com/AUD_USD.html

to convert you Aus dollar salary into US,
then go here

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

and find out where you stand on the scale, you are probably a lot richer than you think, it all depends on who you compare yourself too.

Starting a three week series based around Hybels book, “just walk across the room”

I have a peer group, a group of fellow Pastors.
We meet every month or so, probably when one of us gets our act together and organises it.
Without this group of friends who have encouraged me, told me off, exhorted me, prayed for me, prayed over me……

I would not still be in ministry.

I think friends are very important, but as I journey in ministry, there has been few things as important and needful to me as these guys.