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J. Campbell White: Most men are not satisfied with the permanent output of their lives. Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within his followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world he came to redeem. Fame, pleasure and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the…

For years of my life I didn’t get that. I still remember hearing my mom talking about obligation. It went something like this. Because of my bitterness against the ministry, I grew up determined that I would not do some things. In fact, there were two things I said I would not do. I said I would never…

In a book called "The Christian Calling," the author tells of a group of laborers who were working every single day, digging holes five feet deep in the street. The boss didn't tell them why they were digging holes. After they were done digging these holes, he would come over and he'd look at the holes…

In his book Let Your Life Speak, Parker Palmer, a Quaker, tells the story of how God used Palmer's friends to shape his vocational path in a significant way. Palmer had been offered the opportunity to become the president of a small educational institution. He was certain the job was for him, but he…

Against better judgment and much advice, I occasionally show up to play basketball early in the mornings. Several guys play here at 5:30 a.m. Of course we sleep walk for the first 15 minutes, then play for another 45. It has been my unhappy privilege on some occasions to guard Carl Bradshaw. Now he’s…

It was over 16 years ago, now, that I went through a process that was much like this. I’ve told you about being in ministry for a couple of years, then running from it because I just didn’t think I could do it and I really didn’t want to do it. I left the full-time ministry and even though I was serving…

In his book Good To Great, Jim Collins illustrates the need for strategy by telling about a high school track team who made the transition from good to great. Over a five year period, the school went from a top twenty state team to one which contended for state championships on both the boys’ and girls’…

Pediatrician David Cerqueira shares a story of how a dying girl showed his church the honor of serving God: One Sunday my wife had prepared a lesson on being useful. She taught the children that everyone can be useful—that usefulness is serving God, and that doing so is worthy of honor. The kids quietly…

Amy Carmichael, Irish missionary to India said that “the reason there is so much shallow living living—much talk but little obedience—is that so few are prepared to be, like the pine on the hilltop, alone in the wind for God.

Can I show you how this worked in my life? When God was trying to call me back into ministry, I remember going through this process. I was a believer, but I was out of the will of God. After several years, I had gotten to the place that I was quite unwilling to do what God wanted me to do. I had a plan…

During the 2007-2008 NFL regular season, New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady set the record for most touchdown passes in a regular season, paving the way for his winning the MVP award. At the age of 30, he has already won three Super Bowls—an accomplishment that sets him apart as one of the best…

I still remember when Kathy and I moved to Wilson. We had made our move here contingent on the sell of our home. We put it on the market in Asheville, and, while we had a few people to come and look at it, we had no offers on the table for 2 months. We waited and waited, living in limbo. Finally the…

As a pastor, I spend a lot of time in hospitals. To this point that’s been as a vistor and not as a patient. Of course, I realize that if I don’t die suddenly in some way, the day will come when I will not be the visitor, I will be the visited . . . and with my family history, that could very well be…

SSamuel Zwemer, a missionary from the U. S. said: “The unoccupied fields of the world await those who are willing to be lonely for the sake of Christ.”

Several men are in the locker room of a private club after exercising. Suddenly a cell phone on one of the benches rings. A man picks it up and the following conversation ensues: "Hello?" "Honey, It's me." "Sugar!" "Are you at the club?" "Yes." "Great! I'm at the mall 2 blocks from where you are. I saw…

*The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember... Noah was drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar Leah was not beautiful Joseph was abused Moses had a stuttering problem Gideon was afraid Samson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah…

Randy tells that he was wrestling with his sense of calling. On a beautiful summer evening, he was walking. He looked up at the sky, and prayed, "God, if you want me to be a minister, show me a shooting star." Upon completing this prayer, Randy turned his eyes up to heaven and was startled when a big…

CALLING Though I don’t claim to be an expert at mechanical work, I certainly know how to change the oil in my car. Yet, I never do. I always take it to a quick lube to get it done. Why? It isn’t worth my time to do it. In an article for Reader’s Digest, Jane Spencer asks the question, “Is it really worth…

Timing is doing the right thing at the right time. Four essentials of timing: Rely upon God Renounce selfish motives Be Ready Be Resolute Good historical examples of men who seized their timing. The Call, The Hour Has Come, Ch. 25, Os Guinness

Leslie Weather head preached for years in London. He told the story of a young nurse at City Hospital who had just started when she was assigned a terminally ill man. Unnerved and frightened, she turned to an older physician. “Doctor, when this man dies, what do I say to his wife?” The old doctor replied,…

Pentecost, the day on which we are indwelt by the Spirit, sweeps us up into the dance of the Trinity. We are summoned to the dance floor, [and] the music is grace and love and holiness and peace… The music is supplied by God, and his people are invited to sing and dance along. Pentecost, my friends,…

In the September/October 2007 issue of Today's Christian, Shirley Shaw tells the story of how the sacrifices of a successful cabinet maker named Terry Lane continue to change a drug-riddled neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. My business had prospered to the point my 40-man staff needed more space…

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep the streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, "Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well."…

God Works in Mysterious Ways, and in Mysterious Places... Turtles don't tend to draw much attention to themselves. They swim, eat turtle pellets, poop and, well, that's pretty much it. But one special turtle has some believing she's a messenger from God. An Illinois woman claims that a silhouette of…

Once a month, a group of dedicated professionals ventures into their community to serve those less fortunate than themselves. They're not carrying hammers and nails to build a house, or ladles and pots to work in a soup kitchen. Rather, they're armed with blow-dryers, scissors, and nail polish. Oh yes,…