I'd like to elaborate on my last message for a bit. This will be of interest to anyone who wants to be truly used of God.

Let's understand that, while the Lord has placed very different callings on individual Christians, it is the same Lord who does the calling. He will sovereignty choose one of His children for a specific ministry or even for various 'errands', at His own discretion and for His own purposes, as He sees fit. We do not choose our callings. Let me repeat- we do not choose our callings. A person who truly wants to be used of God will yield his or her mind and will up to the Lord in a spiritual act of worship, seeking to be placed wherever the Holy Spirit would lead. This is an extremely personal and intimate act, one which will often take much time and thought, as we prayerfully discern and differentiate the Lord's will from our own. If we will persist in looking to God, trusting the Holy Spirit to direct us, He will be faithful to guide us into our individual place in the body of Christ. In time, you will be able to discern the promptings of His Spirit more and more clearly as you look to Him. He may give you a passion for a specific sphere of service, or just a simple impression that you should follow a certain course of action- the main thing is to always remain flexible and open to His will....

I have a particular love for missionaries- mostly because it seems to make so little sense (in the natural) to go through all of the preparation necessary to travel to another part of the world, often times to live in poorer circumstances, with far more difficulties, and often with little acclaim- they tend to be so giving, so sacrificing (not unlike the Savior they follow- you can see the 'imprint' of His compassion in their lives, can't you)? You just know that it has to be a calling of God- How many people do you know who have a passion for people in poor surroundings and conditions- so much of a Passion that they willingly leave a secure and peaceful life to go and live among them, sharing the love of Christ sacrificially with them? I once asked a sweet missionary lady who was taking a class at the bible college I attended (shortly before she went back to the field), "Evelyn, do you have to have a calling from God to go to the mission field?" She looked right into my eyes and replied, "No, but you do to STAY there." I just sat there and thought, 'wow!- Here's a lady who knows her Savior!'.....

When I was a couple months old in the Lord, I asked a visiting Assembly of God evangelist, Bill Hayes, how I could know if I was called to full-time ministry. His reply? "Try to do anything else!" He'd made his point.... I knew a guy from church who worked in construction. He said to me, "That's my mission field- the people I work with." Different callings- same Lord. Talk with an elderly widow who for years has prayed daily for her pastor and congregation and you see such a sweet spirit and a depth of faith that will humble you.....

I believe that God has called some people to very affluent surroundings, having much influence and many of the world's goods- and that's perfectly fine, too, but is it YOUR particular calling? If it is, then great. If not, though, and if you're a child of God, you'll never be content in such circumstances. Let me elaborate- I have a passion for a certain sphere of ministry, and it's because God has placed it there. It's not to pastor a certain flock, but to minister in many places, yet I have friends whom God has called to minister to one particular group of people- and they do it with great fervor, because God has led them there......

One of my missionary friends will point to a map of the country she serves in and say,"THAT'S where my heart is." Now, that's not where MY heart is, but God's heart is certainly there, and He's placed that passion in her- Wonderful, isn't it? The Spirit of God will 'ta p' one of His children on the shoulder and say, "This is what I want you to do" or "That is where I want you to go". There's nothing more personal, nothing more precious, is there? Jesus loves us so deeply...Seek His face- desire HIM with all your heart, and you'll find that He has a wonderful and specific calling on YOUR life! May the Lord bless you greatly.

pastor Jim Ewing

A three-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of Jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archaeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.
If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing re-evaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, since it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was not unique but part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?_r=2&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Check out the comments on this link:

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/07/ancient-dead-sea-tablet-causes.html

It was late summer when He and three other men first walked upon that road yonder. It was evening, and He stopped and stood there at the end of the pasture.

I was playing upon my flute, and my flock was grazing all around me. When He stopped I rose and walked over and stood before Him.

And He asked me, "Where is the grave of Elijah? Is it not somewhere near this place?"

And I answered Him, "It is there, sir, underneath that great heap of stones. Even unto this day every passerby brings a stone and places it upon the heap."

And He thanked me and walked away, and His friends walked behind Him.

And after three days Gamaliel who was also a shepherd, said to me that the man who had passed by was a prophet in Judea; but I did not believe him. Yet I thought of that man for many a moon.

When spring came Jesus passed once more by this pasture, and this time He was alone.

I was not playing on my flute that day for I had lost a sheep and I was bereaved, and my heart was downcast within me.

And I walked towards Him and stood still before Him, for I desired to be comforted.

And He looked at me and said, "You do not play upon your flute this day. Whence is the sorrow in your eyes?"

And I answered, "A sheep from among my sheep is lost. I have sought her everywhere but I find her not. And I know not what to do."

And He was silent for a moment. Then He smiled upon me and said, "Wait here awhile and I will find your sheep." And He walked away and disappeared among the hills.

After an hour He returned, and my sheep was close beside Him. And as He stood before me, the sheep looked up into His face even as I was looking. Then I embarrassed her in gladness.

And He put His hand upon my shoulder and said, "From this day you shall love this sheep more than any other in your flock, for she was lost and now she is found."

And again I embraced my sheep in gladness, and she came close to me, and I was silent.

But when I raised my head to thank Jesus, He was already walking afar off, and I had not the courage to follow Him...

Ancient Evidence for Jesus from Non-Christian Sources

It is always attention arresting to come across writings outside of the Biblical record that mention Jesus written by those who were around way back then...

"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind."

Pliny The Younger

http://www.probe.org/theology-and-philosophy/theology---christ/ancient-evidence-for-jesus-from-non-christian-sources.html