Night night!!

This was sweet Sister A.,I do know what it's like not to have money and to wonder where one's next meal is coming from.
I'm glad the young people had a good time.

Sherri and Tamor,

I enjoyed the conversation. It made me miss Sherri even more - - wish I was closer to hang out with both of you!

What a wonderful thing that you were able and joyfully did for those kids. I rejoice that you made those children smile and enjoy themselves.

P.M. incoming.

Sister Alvear,

I mean no offense to you, so please don't take this comment as being directed at you or what you did. It's just that I am in the process of re-reading "Why Revival Tarries" by the late Dr. Leonard Ravenhill. In his book, he made a statement about the cliche you used. Here's a direct quote from the book:

"Someone now warns us lest we become so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. Brother, this generation of believers is not, by and large, suffering from such a complex! The brutal, soul-shaking truth is that we are so earthly minded we are of no heavenly use."

Again, I'm certainly not talking about you. However, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Ravenhill on this point. Sadly, far too many "Pentecostals" today are overwhelmingly more EARTHLY minded -- to the point that they are accomplishing no HEAVENLY good.

I've heard both quotes and agree with both. There are many people who are so carnal and earthy minded that they do nothing for the Kingdom of God; then there are a scant few that are so spiritually minded that they ignore the needs here.

I remember one man that was released from prison and lived with my family when I was a teenager. The man prayed all the time. I'm not kidding. He prayed at least 10 or more hours a day. I'd leave for school and he'd be praying. I'd get home from school, he'd still be praying. He'd be praying all afternoon and into the late evening. He led our church prayer meetings and talked about prayer all the time.

However, after a few months when he hadn't tried getting back on his own (get a job, apartment, etc) he wouldn't do it. He didn't need to work, he needed to pray. He went to some other church in another city that wanted to make him an assistant. Last I had heard he didn't last long there either. I don't know what happened with him after he left.

I know. Memphis doesn't seem that far, but it's not everyday that ya just jump in the car and drive an hour or two just to play. How long does it take you to get to our church in Jackson? Did you know that Jon and I are there now? Just on Sundays, though. We have the Savannah Campus for midweek service (Thursday nights).

You know, CR, when I first read your post, I thought I agreed with you. However, the more I've thought about it, I must say that I do NOT concur that I "agree with both." The man to whom you refer was not TRULY "heavenly minded." Rather, he was self-centered.

I understand that the phrase "so heavenly minded they are no earthly good" is in reference to folks like that, but the fact is, THE MORE HEAVENLY MINDED WE BECOME, THE MORE EARTHLY GOOD WE ACCOMPLISH.

I knew a man much like the one you referenced. He took over a Home Missions work. The district got together and brought men in from across the state to help him remodel his home. He couldn't help that morning because he was "led to pray." After he finished praying, he was "led to do outreach." He stayed gone the entire day while the rest of us worked like crazy TO HELP HIM. The fact was, he was neither praying, NOR reaching for the lost. He was lazy. Plain and simple. These are the kind of people to whom the cliche refers.

Nevertheless, there really is NO TRUTH in the statement AT ALL. It is simply impossible to be TRULY "heavenly minded" and not accomplish MUCH GOOD on earth at the same time. Sadly, I'm afraid it's just a cop out for our carnality.

I agree that folks can PRETEND to be "heavenly minded" and become of no use to anyone. However, I do NOT agree that they can actually BE "so heavenly minded they are no earthly good."

On the other hand, I am absolutely CERTAIN that MANY people are "so earthly minded they are no Heavenly good."

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:6-8).

Nowhere do I read the Apostle Paul admonishing us not to become "TOO Spiritually minded." Nowhere do I read a warning from Christ or ANY of His followers that we might get so wrapped up in Heavenly things we become of no service to His Kingdom OR this world. It's just not there.

No, the sad truth is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to TRULY become "so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good." It just CAN'T happen.

I am certain that EVERY ONE OF US (myself included) could stand to become MORE "Heavenly minded" than we are right now. ALL OF US are FAR more concerned with earthly things than we should be.

God, teach us -- teach ME -- to pray more. Help me to become MORE "spiritually minded" than I am right now. I do NOT fear that I will reach a place where I will be "so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good." I do, however, fear that I may one day become "so earthly minded I am no Heavenly good."

"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Honest confession is good for the soul.

Dear Kansas Preacher:

Blessings and peace to you. Yes, even though I might sound like a paradox I agree with you to..and Ravenhill's books are some of my favorites. I long for a GOD sent revival.
Brazil is not a country where people come in groves to hear the gospel but we have seen a harvest of souls over the years.
Brother Alvear moved to start a brand new pioneer work here in northeast Brazil 10 years ago. God has blessed our efforts for we do not belong to any organization so our daily bread comes direct from His hands through His people.
Those that know me know I spend very little on God's money for pleasure but talking with my Sunday school class everyone of them expressed they had never one time ever rode a ride...they are the poorest of the poor. These kids have prayed all nights at the church, spend one entire Sunday all day fasting and praying, go on missions with me and some do not even have a decent pair of shoes unless I bring them from the states.
These kids are not spoiled by America's soft living. They are 3rd world kids...they are really almost grown...but they are so pure and innocent and so God loving.
I felt to take them for a night off....we have church every night here!

These children have never ate a hamburger at McDonalds even though we do have McDonalds but it is far above what they would ever have the money for.

Most of their parents make 80 dollars a month so they just survive they really don't live...Things are very expensive here. Brazil is not like some places where things are cheap.

They have all been to my house today thanking me for taking them to ride a few rides. Right now they are all over at the church singing and praying...no it is not service time church is their life..it was not once that way...

I did not mean we could not be spiritually minded I just knew some would think it worldly of me to show the kids a good time...

I feel in fact I know I could and should be more spiritual but working with people requires balance.

These kids are so sweet they had worked and worked to get musical instruments and in convention whenword came that one of our churches in another state was broke into. The pastor of the broken into church was standing there crying saying they lost all their instruments these same kids started unstrapping their guitars, unplugging their microphones and walked off the platform and put their instruments at the feet of the weeping preacher...

These are precious young people....next month they are going to another state and will be sleeping on the floors and in hammocks on a mission trip...

Please, pray that I can be a godly teacher...and that my heart will be filled with faith, hope and love...

I am sorry if I offended anyone by taking those kids to ride some of the most simple rides you could ever imagine but such an experience for them. I personally saw no sin in it. In fact I took the opportunity to witness to several of the park guards and gave them church invitations...I always have church cards with me...
Today my daughter in law told me one of the guards came up to her and ask what kind of believers we were...he found the kids so different than the everyday run of the mill...