I love how the message translation of the Bible puts this verse, 1 Samuel 15:22-23 Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him!
Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what God tells you is far worse than fooling around
in the occult. Getting self-important around God is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to God’s command, he says No to your kingship.

The truth is that there is nothing wrong with doing something which is beautiful and lavish for God, the woman who broke her very expensive perfume jar over the feet of Jesus in the days leading up to the cross, did something beautiful and lavish and extravagant for Jesus, in a beautiful act of worship. But here Saul is clearly making it about him. He says its about God, he says he kept back the best for God, but it is about his appearance, how he looks, what people think of him. That is religious! That is religion, and its empty, and it has no real worth, because obedience to God is what counts, to what God has asked for, not what He has not asked for

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (Message Translation)
If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he’s talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry. He must handle his own affairs well, attentive to his own children and having their respect. For if someone is unable to handle his own affairs, how can he take care of God’s church? He must not be a new believer, lest the position go to his head and the Devil trip him up. Outsiders must think well of him, or else the Devil will figure out a way to lure him into his trap.”

There is probably as much written about Pastors on the Internet as what there is written about AFL coaches in papers.
We are not superhuman, and certainly not more spiritual than anyone else, just because we are a pastor.
There are certain obligations, responsibilities and rewards that go along with being a pastor. You get to lead people in church, thats great!
But you are also more responsible, as a shepherd.
You need to be allowed to lead, but if you are, then you need to realise you are more responsible as well. Lead…well….set boundaries…well, aim for purity.
I pray today for all my pastor friends, stay true, persevere….be faithful to your calling.
As Phil Pringle says, “Pastoring is a tough gig but if you read your bible & make sure you only sleep with your wife you probably will do ok”

This season I was not expecting much at all, perhaps a few more wins with a young developing side, and more first gamers to blood.

But….now I am expecting more.
Three gusty wins, including one today over Geelong which showed real character and will to win, and without our two best defenders and Palmer to still come in.

Wow.

And to top it all off, Weagles have lost all three of their very winnable wins. Double pleasure!

Here is a Countdown I made up, using Final Cut. Learning the program. Used a music track I made using Garage Band. Feel free to download and use.

Download it here

In a good way that is.
In regard to legalists, he just cant be bothered dealing with them anymore.

“The problem with legalists is that not enough people have confronted them and told them to get lost. Those are strong words, but I don’t mess with legalism anymore. I’m 72 years old; what have I got to lose? Seriously, I used to kowtow to legalists, but they’re dangerous. They are grace-killers. They’ll drive off every new Christian you bring to church. They are enemies of the faith. Other than that, I don’t have any opinion!”

Source

Doing this series post Easter… Looking forward to it!

April 11 what is means to be spiritual, what it does not, freedom in Christ,

April 18th Spiritual prayer, not a rule, but a lifestyle….advocacy, standing in gap,
Holy Spirit power, being a person of prayer,

April 25th Worship, understanding our place in the universe, humbly entering in, realising who God is, what is then the natural expression of that
More…