NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION THAT IS USEFUL ...OR JUST USELESS....

Navigating Some STRANGE rather than just interesting Life-Seas .... in sailing, like life, to obtain a periodic and accurate weather reports is an important or valuable tool of navigating the seas! Having facts available for making decisions is important for all of us. In the "life-seas" that surrounds our own spiritual leadership ... we can often confuse what information is really needed. 

Take a look....

http://www.volvooceanrace.com/en/insidetrack/31291_Inside-Track-Leg-2-Episode-7.html

COMPLICIT ... With what or WHO?  What do you mean ...COMPLICIT? WHO ? ME ? .... 

by drMSBsr

Matthew 18:15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."

We can listen to the concerns and complaints or even worse ... "information" - of a sort ...YES! But not about the "weather" or the "equipment" or the "team's" responsibilities and plans, but 'information' about the personal and even the 'private' --- information about matters that are related to one or two of the crew! Yes, the 'crew!' Of course, and ... obviously, this is all meant to be shared in "the utmost confidence" -- right? -- "RIGHT?" --?

Are we "Catholic priests - with some sort of sacerdotal power?" Do we believe that we can "absolve" others of their sin?  Even in the "roll" of so-called "counsellors" or mentors - do we have Biblical authority above others or can we ethically claim to have a right to information that was not first clearly dealt with on a personal and private basis between offended parties? If we are following the Matthew 18 teaching of Jesus on resolving the unresolved disagreements between two others ... are we remaining objective and are we restricting our involvement to those within our own congregation? To ignore these questions could be costly!

GOSSIP... Unconfirmed reports? Unconstrained or casual information about others? Even, allowing some to ask for prayer while they divulge the personal information and details of family and friends can lead to our complicity in gossip. Can any of us claim not to have made this serious mistake? Is this not a sin and should we not ask for forgiveness? We can change our future - and find forgiveness for our past if, first - we recognise that we have been complicit. 

We who are pastors and Christian workers may well be "complicit" ... by not teaching and encouraging an alternate way of thinking. We could become 'complicit' just by "harmlessly listening" ... or taking-in the information of some of those who "confide" in us. Complicit ... by accepting the information rather than stopping this 'traffic.'

Complicit .. by not calling on our friends and 'informers' to rather approach the person that is offending them, but to do so privately. Complicit ... in the error of 'gossip' ... when we do not make every effort to lead others to resolve their issues and matters of disagreement privately.

Mt 18:16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church." (nkjv). 

A Kind and Honest response to: "My pastor doesnt believe in genesis" - creation.com

My pastor doesnt believe in genesis - creation.com

A Kind and Honest response to the question of ecclesiastical separation, reality and hope for change.

The Greatest Race !

Hebrews 6  

...... we have a "strong consolation" 

those of us 

"who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.  19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast ... 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus..." nkjv

The Greatest Race? Could it be the Volvo Ocean Race? When it comes to well financed  well trained and fully committed sailing teams -- it surely seems to support the thought that the Volvo race might be the "greatest!" When it comes to Navigation equipment, communications and tracking equipment there is certainly (it seems) no better or greater planning and support systems available!  

When running a race - any race, like in life, as well - there must be a harbour! No one wants to race forever and no one wants to be a part of a sailing "disaster!" We who know the Lord as our personal Lord and Saviour are surely running a race of service - to His Glory - our race is in the midst of the seas of life.  

As Paul reminds us in Acts 27 there is not always the guarantee of reaching the harbour that we have planned for ourselves. A vital truth important to every Christian is that of living life with our HOPE surely and firmly place in JESUS CHRIST - ALONE! HE IS OUR LIFE-HARBOUR. Better, He is our sure and steadfast ANCHOR! 

Acts 27:9  "Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there."

NAVIGATING "LIFE'S SEAS" IS A CHALLENGING & DEMANDING TASK

this is the reason, amongst others, that we look to One who has gone before us and found safe passage - a good harbour and genuine hope.