C. H. Spurgeon is asking the following question:

‘Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make such slow advances in the divine life?”

He has four answers:

1. “Because they neglect their times of prayer, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word.”

2. “They love the wheat, but they do not grind it;”

3. “they want to have the corn, but they will not go out into the field to gather it;”

4. “the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck  it;”

5. “the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it.”

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. RETURN TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.”

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1. “I am the Lord your God,…… You shall have no other gods before me.”

2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.”

3. “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”

5. Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

6. “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER.”

7. “You shall not commit adultery.”

8. “You shall not steal.”

9. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”

10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Exodus 20:1-17

“A Glorious Heritage.”

“A Glorious Heritage” I am reading on the poster. You can see the poster when you are looking through the big window of one of the many places here in Kaitaia (New Zealand) where you can buy cars.

It is all about the “Mitsubishi Motors’ Dakar Rally History” from 1983 until 2006. It is a joy to read about the  glorious heritage  of the rally history.

But I am more interested in the history of the church in New Zealand. Unfortunately the church history in  New Zealand does not have a glorious heritage.

In the NZ BAPTIST (magazine) October 2010 I find an article called “Bad leadership scarred New Zealand church history” written by Murray Robertson. In the article we read that there are empowering leaders and that there are controlling leaders. Empowering leaders are good. Controlling leaders are bad. Murray Roberston is asking these questions: “Am I an empowering or controlling leader? If  I am controlling, why do I feel the need to control others, rather than trust the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives?”

Today I picked up the WarCry issue 6502 at the SALVATION ARMY place here in Kaitaia and how glad I am to read about “leaders who empower” others on the back page of the magazine. These are the MISSION GOALS of the Salvation Army to 2013:

“1. Make Dynamic Disciples of Jesus.

2. Increase the Number of Soldiers.

3. Take Significant Steps to Eradicate Poverty & Injustice.

4. Be a Connected, Streamlined & Mission-Focused Army. – We want leaders who are known for their personal integrity and servant hearts- LEADERS WHO EMPOWER OTHERS.

ENGAGE EQUIP EMPOWER”

Is your leader controlling or empowering?

“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command  the attention of the whole world.” – George Washington Carver

Can someone tell me how to do that, please!