Are You A Cheerful or Miserable Servant?

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Stern Looks.
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Over on nosuperheroes.com Chris Lautsbaugh has written a great article talking about “Miserable Servants“. We all know the type, they are the people who are serving faithfully in ministry, but never seem happy about it…

Although I really don’t like to admit it, I have been that grumpy servant at times. Whether through being overworked, over committed or simply burnt out, I’ve been there and done that …

Chris lists some great ideas about dealing with miserable servants, including:

  1.  Tell them “You don’t have to do this.”
  2. Get to the root of their motivation
  3. Find out if they want to server
  4. Limit their service
  5. Love them or ask them to leave

Chris expands considerably on each of those points in his article and I would recommend that you check it out for yourself.

TAM 011 – Not for My Glory, but for Christ’s Glory

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The Accidental MissionaryIn this episode of The Accidental Missionary Podcast I reflect on a book that I have been reading and challenged by called “Don’t Waste Your Life” by Dan Carlin. With this, and other things that have been occurring in my life, I feel that God has been confirming and reminding me about what God wants me to be doing, and where He wants me to putting most of my effort…

My last few weeks have been spent editing different audio teachings on the YWAM Teaching Podcast. This year we have released different teachings by:

  • Loren Cunningham
  • Darlene Cunningham
  • Joy Dawson
  • Winkie Pratney
  • David Hamilton
  • Jim Stier

Podcast Recommendations

A great podcast that I have been listening to recently for some spiritual input and teaching is the Feeding My Faith Podcast by Dave Jackson.

My Last Five in Five

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper (affiliate link)Lately I have been personally challenge a lot with how I spend my time, and where I put my effort. It is too easy to get distracted with pursuing riches in this world, and neglecting the things of God. I was reminded again that my purpose here on earth is not to build up earthly treasures, but to build up God’s Kingdom, pursue His plans and to store up treasures in heaven.

God has called us to a life of full-time, volunteer missions. That may not look like how some people think we should be living, but it is the lifestyle that God has called us to.

One of the books that I have been reading lately that has challenged me in my thinking is John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life”. If you have a chance to read it I would highly recommend it …

Some of the scriptures that really stood out to me that were highlighted in the book are:

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

(Matthew 13:44-46)

Treasures in Heaven

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

(Matthew 6:19-20)

The intro music to this episode of The Accidental Missionary Podcast was Amazing Grace, performed by Amanda Bryde.

Special thanks to Jon Davis Jr. his comments and feedback about the podcast.

Business as Missions

TAM 010 – Recording from YWAM Adelaide Oval, Househunting

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The Accidental MissionaryThis episode of the Accidental Missionary Podcast was recorded sitting at the bottom of the steps to the sports oval at the Youth With A Mission Southlands – Adelaide location. I was waiting for the staff to return from their breakfast club and kid’s club ministry that they are engaged in every Thursday morning in Port Adelaide. It my first day of “work” at the centre and turned out to be a great chance to find out more about what they do and talk with Lucas Cristofali, who heads up communications for all three YWAM Southlands locations.

In the podcast I mistakenly pointed people to the wrong web-site address for YWAM Adelaide, the proper address is www.ywamsouthlands.com. Here are some photos of YWAM Adelaide and the  YWAM Adelaide sports oval:

Resources and links mentioned in the Podcast:

TAM 009 – In Australia Making Bonehead Foreigner Mistakes and Visiting YWAM Adelaide

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The Accidental MissionaryThis episode of the Accidental Missionary Podcast is coming to you from the nation of Australia!

We have been in Adelaide, Australia for a two and a half weeks now and are still trying to recover from travel shock. It seems a bit surreal to realise that life has changed so dramatically in the last few months and that we are now trying to make our home and settle in a new city and new country. At the beginning of the year I certainly didn’t foresee all of this happening…

I think that it will take me a while to get used to being back in Australia. This morning I made the mistake of throwing on laundry without first checking the weather. I find that it is usually not a good thing to do your laundry in the rain when you need to dry your clothes on a clothes line…

Washing our laundry in the rain - woops

Yesterday we went to visit the YWAM Adelaide ministry and was really encouraged to see some of the fantastic ministry that they are involved with. A lot of their work is working with the homeless in Adelaide and they are also engaged in ministry into the sex industry. I must admit that I was shocked to hear that there are over 100 illegal brothels here in Adelaide …

What Happened to Jesus’ Twelve Disciples?

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I think that one of the travesties of the modern church is the thought that once we make the decision to follow Christ everything will be better. We expect that God will bless us and that life will get better as we follow Him and submit to Him.

Jesus never promises that life will be easy!

Instead if you read the Bible what you will read is that the followers of Jesus were regularly persecuted and that it should be expected. We aren’t promised a reward here on Earth for following Him, but rather our reward will be in Heaven:

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Mat 5:10-12)

We only have to look at what happened to Jesus’ original 12-disciples to see this persecution lived out in their lives:

What happened to the 12-disciples?

  • Peter – martyred in Rome. He was crucified upside down.
  • Paul – martyred in Rome. He was beheaded.
  • Andrew – martyred in Asia Minor, crucified.
  • Thomas – martyred in India, stabed through with soldiers spears.
  • Philip – martyred in Asia Minor, crucified or beheaded.
  • Matthew – martyred in Ethiopia, stabbed with a spear.
  • Bartholomew – martyred in Armedia, beheaded.
  • James – martyred in Syria, stoned and clubbed to death.
  • Simon – martyred in Persia, crucified.
  • Matthias (replaced Judas) – martyred in Syria, burned to death.
  • John – died of natural causes.
  • Jude (Thaddeus) – martyred in Edessa, crucified.

You would think that the immediate followers of Jesus would have received the “greatest blessing”. If that is the case then the “greatest blessing” would be martyrdom…

How does that fit in with the idea that things will be better when you follow Christ?

Do we need to change how we talk about the truth of Christ’s Lordship and Salvation?

Is the modern Church preaching the gospel that we read about in Bible, or something that is watered down and made more palatable?

source: Christianity.com

Photo by Martin LaBar / Foter