He talks about joining the missionary society and the church choir and says “In both I was an asset of doubtful value”.

It was funny to me that things change and yet they stay the same. Some wise man said that because I’ve heard Doug Wead and others quote him in it. I can’t for the life of me remember who it was. In our modern Christian churches we hear about feuds over music. Heck even whole denominations have split over this issue. I have never totally understood these disputes, probably because of my lack of musical skill and thus disinterest.

LeTourneau says ” A lot of old timers resented the changes being made after the turn of the century. They had been doing things the same way for so long that change made them feel insecure.” He’s speaking of 1901 not 2001. He goes on to say “I was one of the lucky ones trained to accept change as routine”.

He later speaks about lessons he got when building his first big piece of machinery. He was told better a poor steam engine that runs than a good one never finished. He said that was true in so far as it went but later said he would add this clause to it- because until the good one is finished, its development can’t begin.

Wow that’s powerful perspective.

A few other tid bits of wisdom so far from R.G. LeTourneau

One advantage of education is that it gives a young man a broad look at many vocations before he determines on his own.

Twelve years later I was to learn how smug I had been in thinking God was on my side. Ever since then, with His help, I have tried hard to be on His side.

Two more funny nuggets from this morning. When describing a major accident that knocked out his front teeth.

I was beginning to get the idea that on hazardous jobs in the wilderness, a man ought to have a partner. Somebody to tell the others how you had been killed and maybe save them from the same mistake.

Right there began my feud with doctors and dentists that I have carried on ever since. I number many doctors and dentists among my friends, as long as they are not working on me.

This is a desperate time in which Christians need to come together and act as a unified Body of Christ.

• We have lost our way morally and economically as a country and a world.
• We have lost our ability to lead.
• We have lost our witness due to our hypocrisy.
• We have turned our governments into idols who we look to for provision.
• We have forgotten how to disciple one another.
• We have forgotten that Jesus came to serve and not to be served.
• We have not held one another accountable.
• We have failed to earn all we can so we can give all we can.

If you are a Christian, then you are a leader. We are called to be light bearers and salt spreaders. If you own a Christian business, then you are an instrument for God to work through. God has allowed you to steward more resources than others- yet what have you done with that responsibility. After all to whom much is given much is expected.

Will you be like Joseph in the Old Testament- saving your resources and then distributing them in times of great need?

I know lots of ministries, missionaries, church plants and wonderful faith based non profits that need funding. The workers are still few and the harvest still many. However, as I’ve heard Peter J Daniels say many times- we have plenty of people who want to preach and teach and minister, but we have no one who wants to pay the bill.

In tough economic times we have a huge opportunity to show others that our faith does not depend on the stuff we have stored up in this world. We have an opportunity to show non believers that we are charitable (loving) people who give in the good times but even more in the bad times. We have the chance to go into business or refocus our businesses to make them mighty vessels to steward God’s resources for those who need them most. Are we up to the challenge? I know I’m not yet, but God is working on me daily. He is preparing me and my heart for that kind of leadership role. I think he’s preparing you as well.

My hope and my fervent unceasing prayer is that this blog will become a place to connect and unify the Body of Christ around the gospel, the inerrant word of God, the saving power of Jesus Christ and the guiding counsel and power of the Holy Spirit.

1. This site exists to provide accountability to one another.
2. This site exists to teach us how to disciple one another.
3. This site exists to help us fund the building of God’s kingdom.
4. This site exists to train us as servant leaders like Jesus himself.
5. This site exists to give God the glory and honor he deserves.

Let’s connect and build the Kingdom of God and unify the Body of Christ.