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Text Box: Turning Point Counseling Center – April 2008 The mission statement of the Turning Point Counseling Center: This Christ-centered ministry has but one mission – to equip all God’s people to make spiritually mature decisions for their lives and accept the responsibility for those decisions. You folks have been kind enough to pass on to me some church quips that have helped me to laugh at myself, as a member of the household of faith. I think it is high time that I share them so that you too can enjoy their mirthful insights. * Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews. * Many people want to serve God, but only as advisors. * It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one. * The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close. * When you get to your wits end, you’ll find God lives there. * People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church. * Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever. * Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong. * The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up a congregation is: “And in conclusion.” * If the church wants a better preacher, it only needs to pray for the one it has. * God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you? * To make a long story short, don’t tell it . . . it’ll improve the sermon. * Why is it so often true that those who claim to have the final word of truth for the church only prove that their minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set. * Peace starts with a smile. * I don’t know some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from. * A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises. * We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges. * Be ye fishers of men. You catch them – He’ll clean them. * Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. * Don’t put a question mark where God put a period. * Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church. * Forbidden fruits create many jams. * God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. * God grades on the cross, not the curve. * God loves everyone, but probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts”. * God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. * If God is your co-pilot – swap seats. * Prayer: Don’t give God instructions – just report for duty. * The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us. * The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you. * We don’t change the message, the message changes us. The best mathematical equation: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given. Well, these are just some insights that congregational members have shared with me over the years. I have discovered that important truths often come with a bit of any inward chuckle. Humor has often given me greater wisdom and insight than some angry confrontation. May God bless each of you who has helped me grow in my faith walk. Maybe you are struggling to gain a foot hold on the shores of conviction. If so, invite me along on a portion of your pilgrimage. Maybe together, we can discover God’s loving grace for you, through Jesus Christ, our living Savior and Lord. Please feel free to give me a call on this secure phone: 507/645-8252, ext. 13. If I’m not in, please leave a message, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Let me assure you that your confidentiality will always be respected. Neal C. Thompson Spiritual Pastoral Counselor