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Tame the Lions or Prod the Turtles
Bruce Martin, Pastor
There is an old saying that says it is easier to
tame the lions than to prod the turtles. I guess that answers the question
as to why Barnum and Bailey has never employed a turtle trainer. The
turtles may represent steadiness in certain children’s stories—Tortoise
and the Hare—but in reality, lions are exciting and seem to get things
done. Solomon said it best when he wrote “Lazy people are a
pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that
sets the teeth on edge.” (Prov. 10:26 NLT) A perfect illustration of
laziness gone awry is Sweden’s loose view of sick-leave. Sweden has such a
liberal “sick-leave” program that when the National Social Insurance Board
did a survey, 40% of Sweden’s population believed it was acceptable to
skip work because they felt tired or had trouble getting along with
colleagues, and 65% thought a stressful work situation was also a valid
reason for calling in sick and collecting pay. Once the turtle sticks its
head back in the shell, there is no going forward.
So it is with the church. Some people who are so
effective at work and play in their “secular field” seem to be so
ineffective and lazy in their “church field.” They accept a job to teach,
lead, or serve and they do just the bare minimum; just enough to get by.
When the proverbial clock strikes five, they are out the door. They do not
go the extra mile nor do they even take their job that serious. Where is
the passion? Where is the excitement? Do they really like the simplicity
of terrarium living? We need lions. I would rather spend my time training
the wild and outrageous than prodding the stuck-in-the-shell,
get-nothing-done, and go-nowhere turtle. Let’s make 2009 the year we tame
lions instead of prod turtles.
Mt. Harmony Men Build Deck
on Nearby Trucker's Chapel
Our Kevin Logsdon is a Truckstop Ministries
Chaplain.
Reports, Reflections, and Photos
from our
2008
Rio de Janeiro
Medical Mission Team
September 26-October 5
Audio of the Rio Team Report, October 19
Reports, Reflections, and Photos
from our
2007
Rio de Janeiro
Medical Mission Team
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June 28, 2009, AM
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New Member
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Pine Mountain Railroad
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Sunday,
August 9, 2009
10:15 a.m.
Sunday Night CSI
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We meet in the Sanctuary at
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Everyone is encouraged to
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