DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (DBMIM) Ezine, June 18, 2008

-- Men and Women: Same Planet, Different Universe - Part I, by Charles Marshall.

-- Book Review: "Forged in the Fire: Shaped by the Master," by Tim Burns, reviewed by Teena Stewart.

Looking for something, but not sure where to find it? DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion has produced a 50-page Resource Guide that just might have what you need. And it's FREE! You need adobe acrobat reader (also free) to read the document. Check it out at: http://www.ministryinmotion.net/christian_ministry_resource_guid.html

Except for today, I can only remember church being cancelled one time as an adult. That was when Jeff and I lived in Erie, Pennsylvania and snow was not a novelty. We have photos of the front of our house where the sidewalks looked like bobsled runs, the snow packed into high walls on each side. Despite the volume of the fluffy white stuff, it was rare indeed for schools to ever be delayed or cancelled. The residents knew how to handle the variations in the weather.

But one particular winter there was a blizzard so wild that the plows couldn’t get through, and the church’s parking lot was snowed under. My husband consulted with several of our elders by phone, and it was decided that we would do the unthinkable--cancel church that morning. Just as well, everyone would have been hibernating anyway.

But today, the church we’ve just started attending since relocating to Hickory, North Carolina, decided to cancel church. It’s June 1 and hot enough to boil water on the asphalt outside, so you can’t blame the cancellation on a snowstorm. Nope. This cancellation was planned. And though some would think it horrific to cancel church, I say, “Bravo,” to pastor Drake for making such a bold move.

You see, last week we had a guest come from a local women’s recovery shelter and share news about the scope of their ministry. God had given this woman a heart and vision for helping women down on their luck. Some of the women are prostitutes. Some are battered women. Others have drug addictions. And God has used this lady to launch a ministry to help these women and, whenever possible, bring them into a relationship with the Lord. To read more of Teena's article, Click here...

DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion is looking for reliable volunteers for several positions.

Men and Women: Same Planet, Different Universe - Part I
By Charles Marshall

Men and women have completely different definitions of what constitutes a logical conversation. Put simply, a man believes that an action (a statement or question) should produce an equal and opposite reaction (an answer that directly correlates to the proffered statement or question).
To demonstrate, I offer the following actual conversation that I just had with my wife on the phone:

Me: Hey honey, have I gotten any e-mail today?
Wife: No.
Me: Oh, OK. What're you doing right now?
Wife: I'm writing someone who e-mailed you and wanted some information
about having you speak to their group.
Me: I thought you said I don't have any e-mail.
Wife: You don't. I'm already answering it.
Me: Arrgggh!

The weird thing is that most women can look at the preceding transcription and still not see what the big deal is. Let me attempt to clarify the problem by conveying what the conversation sounded like to me.

Me: Hey honey, have I gotten any e-mail today?
What I heard my wife say: No, you haven't received any e-mail today.
There have been no electronic communications sent to you at all on this
day. No SPAM, no personal messages. Nothing. Nada. Zero.
Me: Oh, OK. What're you doing right now?
What I heard my wife say: I'm your wife from a different dimension who
speaks to you in an unintelligible language. Blabbity-jabbity, You've got
mail!
Me: I thought you said I don't have any e-mail.
What I heard my wife say: I may have said that, and I may not have.
You're in my alternative universe now where words have no meaning and rules
don't apply.
Me: Thump. Thump. Thump. (Sound of me repeatedly hitting my head
against the wall.)

We are all works in process. Just as gold goes through the refiner’s fire to separate the foreign metals from the valuable, true gold, we go through a similar process. What flaws will be revealed in us? Will these times draw us closer to God or will they expose weakness of character and a shaky spiritual foundation? How we respond to life’s challenges says much about our walk with God.

Tim Burns’ study, Forged in the Fire: Shaped by the Master, looks at four men of great influence in the Bible--David, Joseph, King Saul and Hezekiah. Each were placed in positions of authority. None were perfect, yet David and Joseph grew into strong, Godly leaders, while Saul and Hezekiah faltered in their faith.

How would we measure up? At times, Burns’ candid questions makes us squirm, but our answers reveal work areas where we can strengthen our most needed areas of growth.

Burns’ study is written in the tradition of Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God. It comes in workbook format and leaves ample room for written reflection. The materials can be used as a small group study, but because of its in-depth nature seems best suited to independent study. It is sure to challenge the reader to stand firm in his or her faith and face the challenge to grow into a more mature relationship with Christ.

Site Build It -- There are many different hosting plans for those wanting Christian websites but few work with you to drive traffic to your site. SBI differs from these because it is an all-in-one do-it-yourself website program that doesn’t require html knowledge. Includes domain registration, hosting, keyword research tools, search engine optimization, ezine mailing, and non-interactive blog option. The system guarantees success in getting good ranking with search engines thereby assuring you of more traffic. This website system is used by DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion. Site Build It Quick Tour

Be sure to visit Ministry in Motion's Bookshop. Every resource is developed from hands-on church experience. Help members discover their spiritual gifts, how to connect them in ministry and more. Visit MIM's Bookshop.

Just $10 per classified listing. For more information on advertising visit our advertising page.

Ministry in Motion is looking for columnists & writers in the following areas: women's ministry, men's ministry, single's ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, small group/bible study ministry, and general ministry. We are also open to general church ministry related freelance articles. If you have an idea for a column or would like to share ministry insight or even short ministry tips, we'd love to hear from you. Present payment is promotion only -- no pay but great exposure for you, your ministry, book, or website. Please read our writer's guidelines here.

One of the needs we have perceived at Ministry in Motion is a service to help connect qualified ministers and church workers to ministry related and church staff positions. If you are presently in job search mode, or if you have a ministry position you are looking to fill, be sure to check out this site by clicking here.

Magazines to help Christians grow spiritual and succeed in ministry. Discipleship Journal, Leadership Magazine, SpiritLed Woman, Christianity Today & Lots More! Click HERE for Magazines

DBMIM Ezine June 18, 2008