No doubt you have ridden the roller coaster we call 'LIFE'! Life at times can seem so inconsistent with the expectations that we all carry. And yet, I've discovered there is something very special to those who remain faithful in their walk with God.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11

This is an expression which means that the desired outcome or answer we need is very difficult to attain to because their is a major problem in the known solution that may cause us to never fully realise the answer! Make sense?? Let me explain using a biblical Catch-22.

This issue was raised by Jesus Himself on a number of occasions. Goodness me - Jesus was continually confronted with the reality of how easy it is for His followers to become distracted, disillusioned, desiring power, selfish ambition, etc. He had to make it clear what His 'bottom line' was in terms of helping us - His followers - to understand how we can measure our core commitment as a disciple.

In the business world there is a common question when discussing one another's businesses. "What is your core business?" In other words - what is it that is the centre of what you do that is going to propel your business forward. How do you think we would respond if someone was to ask us - "what is the core business of the church?"

From time to time I will have the people I'm discipling write out their own pastoral obituary. I ask them to write out how our enemy would take them out, rendering them unable to serve their family and communities.

Many years ago the William Booth, the great man of God who founded the Salvation Army, could not get to a meeting which was to be attended by all his officers. In his absence he sent a telegram to be opened in the meeting. As all his officers gathered around they opened the telegram to find one word "OTHERS".

Those who come to Christ automatically join the church universal - those who have come to Christ in history past, present and those yet to join the family of God. Those present believers belong to a local expression of the body of Christ, commonly called the church. When I first found Christ in my life - I desperately shared my new found faith with all my friends - inadequate as it was - my desire was for them to find the truth! It is like a fire that burns within.

How do you respond when an opportunity to meet a need arises? I'm not talking about necessarily giving someone money - but those times when you could potentially step into a situation and be part of the solution.

As a preacher I have noticed that I'm at my very best when I have a hungry encouraging audience. I can literally feel the anointing being drawn from the Spirit's ministry through me.

Pastors and church leaders are always looking for better ways to make people aware of their church activities and happenings. In recent times we have adopted many techniques for mass awareness.

Consumerism is rife everywhere. Marketers are busy serving our generation on "how to consume". The thing about consumerism is that it can never be satisfied. No sooner you have bought the latest 'model' - the marketers are busy pre-releasing the next greatest thing.