BEYOND THE PULPIT - TEN IDEAS FOR EVERYDAY OUTREACH

1. Pay attention to the people around you in your neighborhood or at work. Send up an arrow prayer as you walk by them.

2. Be mindful of those who serve you—bank tellers, grocery store clerks, fast food workers. Look them in the eye and tell them you appreciate their service.

3. Leave a note of encouragement on a coworker's desk or on the windshield of their car.

4. When you walk past a piece of trash on the ground, pick it up and throw it in a garbage can.

5. When someone says they're having a bad day, stop and ask if you can pray for them right there.

6. At the drive-thru, pay for the meal of the person behind you.

7. Stop and talk with a homeless person. Find out their story.

8. Before leaving a restaurant, jot a thank you note to your server and leave it on the table or call the manager over and explain how much you enjoyed the service.

9. Go out of your way to be friendly to a prickly person.

10. When you're talking with someone, give them the gift of your full attention.

Contributed by Dana Wilkerson

QUESTIONS FOR MARY

I love to hear good thoughts and I like to hear funny ones. Max Lucado has twenty-five questions that he wants to ask Mary the mother of Jesus, here are a few of my favorites. Here is a mixture of both:

What was it like watching him pray?

When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood?

Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world?

When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently?

Did you ever try to count the stars with him . . . and succeed?

Did he ever come home with a black eye?

Did he have any friends by the name of Judas?

Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was
asleep under your own roof?

Did you ever accidentally call him father?

What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids?

Did you ever think, That’s God eating my soup?

LOVE ISN'T FORCED

"Power can do everything but the most important thing: it cannot control love. In a concentration camp, the guards possess almost unlimited power. By applying force, they can make you renounce your God, curse your family, work without pay, kill and bury your closest friend. All this within their power. Only one thing is not: they cannot force you to love them" ~Phillip Yancey

Who's Side Are You On?

During the US civil war Abraham Lincoln met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. Lincoln was a man of deep, if at times unorthodox, faith. At one point one of the ministers said, "Mr. President, let us pray that God is on our side". Lincoln’s response showed far greater insight, "No, gentlemen, let us pray that we are on God’s side."

If we want to know what God wants us to do, then we must first strive to live a life of conformity to Him. It is the thought life of doing what I want and asking God to "bless it" that has put us in a place that leaves us not knowing that He is displeased by our way of life.

If you are a Christian - a Christ follower - Live life with His will in mind today!

TOGETHER WE CAN REACH THE MASSES!

With this intense travel we are in a critical phase of ministry. God has opened INCREDIBLE doors for us to minister to THOUSANDS this summer. However, we are presently in a critical need financiall and are asking all friends and people who appreciate this ministry to consider making a one year/monthly financial committment for whatever amount to keep this ministry moving forward. I am trusting that God will lead many to stand with us. We are so grateful for those that have supported us since the inception of this ministry. Since day one we have NEVER charged a ministry/church for coming and operate strictly by faith.

Pray and if you feel led, consider a one year pledge. This ministry is what Elisha and I have dedicated our lives to and your support will keep us reaching the masses.

If you are interested or feel led, please visit our website at http://www.consumingfiremin.com/partnering.htm and follow the instructions there.

Thank you for your consideration and we hoping for many to stand with us to bring freedom to the captives. We look forward to hearing from you. We appreciate you all.

Till all hear,
Tony Cruz
Evangelist of Consuming Fire Ministries, Inc.

CONSUMED - NOW IN BLACK!!

Our NEW summer Consumed shirts now available. Support our summer outreaches as every purchase keeps our ministry moving forward and touching lives.

-Tony

i lead - Ten Leadership Realities

Ten Spiritual Leadership Realities
shared by Doug Clay – Assistant Superintendent of the A/G

1. It’s lonely to lead
2. Success can be dangerous
3. It’s hardest at home
4. Authenticity is essential
5. It’s painful to obey
6. Disappointment is part of it
7. It’s attitude that matters
8. Integrity eclipses image
9. It starts and ends with humility
10. Anointing is non-negotiable