The last time I checked the statistics, almost all new believers stayed in a congregation less than 4 years before moving on to something else. 96% or so. Some reasons for that: The congregation they found themselves in was not culturally relevant to them. Contrasts of age, financial status, music preference, clothing style, dialect of English, etc. made the new people not fit into the congregational relationships that could have […]
Author Archive: Douglas Thomas
Bridge Out
Today I felt led to greet a gentleman who was sitting in my patients’ waiting room. We did a little bit of shallow stuff but quickly were talking about the Kingdom of God. Ed shared several testimonies about his health and then impressed me with one about business. He owned 3 semi’s and had contracts to haul things both directions between NYC & New Jersey. One afternoon he was praying over […]
Purpose Full
Mark Twain said – the two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why. Wolfgang Simson said – 10% of all humans conceived never reach the age of 5 Only 10% of all humans are born again Only 10% of all born agains know their devine callings – their mission in life Only 5% of all who know their […]
Good News
Gospel is a weird Old English word that is made from the two words “God” and “spell” smeared together. Some would argue that it was “good” and “spell” instead. The word that it is translating from Greek is related to the word “angel,” which means “messenger,” or “message.” A good message was an “euangellion,” or “evangellion,” (Strong’s NT2098). It is related to a good messenger being what we now call […]
Being Different
While you are learning how to be the eye or toe or heart that you are called to be in the Body of Jesus, it is good to be encouraged on days by other eyes or toes or hearts. It is awesome to find comfort from an eye who has already been poked by a finger when you get poked for the first time. It is empowering to be taught […]
Typical Faith
Types and anti-types are a way of making promises or introducing ideas. First, there is a description, which could be reinforced by a photograph. Then, a color photo. Then, we get a skit or Super-8 movie that gives the characters in the photos motion and a sense of action. It’s not real, though, until you can hear the voice and smell the perfume. Peter described the ark in which Noah […]
Growth in the Body of Christ
If you ask an Evangelist “What produces Growth in the Body of Christ?”, the answer you get will likely sound like, “Leading people to saving faith in Jesus.” If you ask a Teacher “What produces Growth in the Body of Christ?”, the answer you get will likely sound like, “Teaching believers how to rightly divide the Word of God and live by it’s commands.” If you ask a Pastor “What […]
Obedience
Jesus instructed His disciples one day to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness before seeking provision and supplies, so that they would receive provision and supplies. They were directed toward His authority and His nature as a means of accessing His blessings. He told them that His commandments to love God with all they had and all they were, and to love their neighbors as themselves, summed up everything that […]
A Seeing Date
Today I decided to stop counting my days as if one more day of my life was wasted on something other than my calling. Instead, I will count the day as having moved me one day closer to the door to my work. An heir, as long as he is a child, is no different than a slave, even though he is master of the household. He is subjected to managers […]
Super Vision Advisory
Scary toys usually have a disclaimer printed on the packaging: “Adult Supervision Required.” Another one made famous when TV was young was, “Kids, don’t try this at home! We’re trained professionals. You could get hurt!” Those warnings were probably imposed by a board member’s lawyer, not his mom. The concern was likely for the company’s safety, not for the safety of the targets of their marketing campaign. My warning is […]