It was an inconceivable task. Joshua had to mobilize, organize, and unify millions of people across the Jordan river into the land of Canaan. Leading Israel across the waters meant facing cities where the walls were built to the heavens. It meant fighting armies that were fortified and prepared for war. It meant struggling through the complexities of guiding an entire nation into a land where everyone was staking their own territories. He would have to do all of this as the successor of Moses, Israel’s great prophet and lawgiver.  I cannot image the pressure, the stress, and the responsibility …

The modern church-goer measures ministry by standards that are impervious to authentic scriptural growth. It is unfortunate that we have somehow misconstrued and minimized success to building size, administrative structure, and well-organized programs.  These things can certainly be results of spiritual growth, but they are never replacements for authentic spiritual health.

Duplicate or Define?

I suppose that is really the point that needs to be made: There is a fine line between growth and health. A church may be “growing” but not necessarily in the right way. Too often we try to replicate the results of “successful” churches or ministries …

“The cross is not a terrible end to an otherwise God-fearing and happy life, but it meets us at the beginning of our communion with Christ. When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“The bedrock of Christianity is personal passionate devotion to the Lord Jesus. We mistake the ecstasy of our first introduction into the kingdom for the purpose of God and getting us there; his purpose in getting us there is that we may realize all that identification with Jesus Christ means.” Oswald Chambers

“A list of rules without a walk