Not failure, but low aim or no aim at all is the crime. Let's learn from Shamgar in Judges 3:31, "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel." God's people were being attacked by the Philistines who took all weapons away from the Israelites so they could not fight back. It appeared hopeless.

Shamgar was a farmer, and the harvest was ready. As expected, the Philistines came, 600 of them armed with flashing swords. They swept down on this one farmer, Shamgar, who was armed with an oxgoad - not a very sophisticated weapon. He could have had many excuses for doing nothing, but because of his faith in God and concern for the people and his own dignity, he decided to take a stand at any cost. When the dust settled there were 600 Philistines on the ground dead and Shamgar went back to harvesting his crops.

"They made him judge" - the third judge of Israel. Some Christians never seem to accomplish much of anything for the Lord or His people. Let me suggest three things that will help make your life count.

• Goal No. 1: Set careful goals, goals that are godly.
• Goal No. 2: Have the desire to never quit. Rudyard Kipling wrote: "If we have had desires for what things we would like to accomplish in our lives and life does not fulfill those desires, it proves only one thing: Either we did not seriously want it or we tried to bargain about our price."
• Goal No. 3: Expect great things from God. Really believe Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Christ who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." The most creative person among us could not even imagine how much the Lord Jesus wants to do for us and through us.

Shamgar had a lofty goal - he wanted to free his people from bondage. He set his affections on that goal, and it became a burning passion in his heart. In spite of all the obstacles and limitations, he trusted that God would use him to bring that goal to pass. He didn't wait around all his life. He decided he was going to do it, and he accomplished great things.

We can be like Shamgar. Let's do it for the glory of our God and for a great blessing upon many people. Be a Shamgar! Go to Set Goals and Reach Them for help in developing goals in all areas of your Christian walk this year.

The Johnsons have worked for years to encourage their unchurched neighbors, John and Sally, to try their church. They have not been churchgoers since they got married. However, with two young children and a baby, they've begun to think about it. Today is the day John and Sally will break a 12-year pattern in which they have not attended worship.

Rising early, John and Sally get the children ready and, as they leave the house, take the direction sheet the Johnsons have provided. The two older children begin squabbling in the backseat. Then the baby starts crying. It's as if the enemy has begun the attack!

When John accidentally took the wrong turn, it put them behind - just a few minutes. They recaptured their route, according to the directions, but arrived at the church a little late. What did they find? The parking lot, at first glance, looked full. All the prime spots near the doors were taken. They did find a place in the last row. They made a dash toward the building as it began to sprinkle.

While they walked the fast pace, John and Sally wondered if they were dressed properly. Would they stick out in the crowd? As they entered the hallway, they began to look for signs. Which way is worship? The greeters had already left their posts after worship started. As they passed a restroom, one of the children needed to make a stop. John took the little boy in and couldn't help but notice the old, dirty, and unappealing restroom. Meanwhile, Sally looked for the nursery. The Johnsons had mentioned there was a place for the little one - a great relief for Sally. But where is it?

Finally, with the little one in the nursery, they found the place of worship. The service was already underway. The place looked full. An usher greeted them, "There are some seats left. I'll take you there." John, Sally, and the kids felt paraded to the front row.

They tried to experience worship. What they really felt was trauma.

Focus on these issues:

1. Your church only has one chance to make a good first impression.
2. Concentrate on what happens to people in the first three minutes they're on the property.
3. Provide guest parking, parking attendants, and parking lot greeters.
4. Teach your people to tell visitors how to dress, what to bring, what to expect.
5. Put signs everywhere and ask greeters to serve well before the worship service and several minutes after it begins. Add plain-clothed crowd directors who look for guests and simply offer to help them - as their Sunday morning ministry.
6. Provide restrooms that sparkle and a safe, kid-friendly nursery.
7. Leave some seats at the back of the sanctuary near the aisle.
8. Most of all, teach the people of your church not to INVITE people to church, but to BRING them.

Meeting Jesus Christ should not be a traumatic experience. It's the love of God, not the wrath of the church that will bring them back.

Dr. Kent Hunter (LCMS) is nationally known as the Church Doctor. You can contact him at (800) 626-8515, or visit his website at www.churchdoctor.org

One easy and important goal for you in 2007: Read YOUR Bible through from Genesis to Revelation. Just hit 2007 Bible Reading Schedule and print out a hard copy to place in your Bible. Read early morning, before or after breakfast. Start now! Good for you!

One elderly lady said: "I don't vote. It only encourages them!" Now the question: Is she a cynic or a realist? Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor: "I'm a wonderful house keeper. Every time I get a divorce I keep the house."

Resolve to do something special at every worship service this January. We are including one model for you. Go to January Worship. It's in Microsoft Word. Feel free to use part or all of it.

Improving sermon retention. The average hearer will retain about 10% of the sermon. To increase this number, more and more pastors are placing the following in the worship bulletin: Text, theme and parts (include the beginning of each part, but have worshipers write down the end of each part), supporting texts, and important quotations. Many worshipers will keep these notes at home for future review. All of this increases retention.

A driver was arrested for investigation of human smuggling after his crowded van recently crashed in Idaho Springs, CO, killing four people and injuring ten others. He has been deported to Mexico twice and is now being held in jail for 46 violations of State law. Both politicians and businesses don't seem to care.

Before starting your next new membership class, we invite you to send an encouraging letter to all your members two weeks before it starts. We've developed a model letter for your church. Use part or all of it. It's in Microsoft Word. Just click Promotional Letter To Members. We also have a model Promotional Letter To Prospects. Mail this a week before the new class. This effort requires a small amount of money and effort, but pays off in larger new membership classes. Plan now to use both letters. Lift these efforts up to the Lord in prayer at worship on the three Sundays before the class begins.

Your January freebie is a book of sermons by Dr. Arthur Graf (LCMS) entitled, The Apostles' Creed. 14 sermons on the Apostles' Creed and 7 Lenten sermons on "Figures About the Cross." It sells for $10.95 and is a January freebie for you. Just email us with your address and ask for #182.

"I'll pick you up in twenty minutes," said the mother

Dr. Craig Loving is a pastor as well as a therapist in private practice in the Denver area. You can reach him at 303-349-7398 or by visiting his website at www.drcraigloving.com.

What if we always carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we went back home if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive "text messages"?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to our kids as gifts?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we always talked to our Best Friend through it?
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
What if you often said, "Hmmmm... now where is my Bible?"
Oh, and one more thing....
What if we never had to worry about being disconnected, because Jesus is always within range and has already paid the bill!
Just wondering...

Rev. Bob Tasler shepherds Epiphany Lutheran Church (LCMS) at Castle Rock, CO. He writes a WEEKLY MESSAGE of inspiration, like the above, each Tuesday and the WEEKEND NEWSLETTER each Thursday which gives the latest and future parish happenings. You may subscribe to both or either by emailing him at pbt45@ecentral.com.

Erik Loza is on vicarage from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. He was the primary translator for "I Have Good News For You" from English into Spanish. Many thanks, Erik! It is available on CD-Rom. Go to New Member Class Materials.

The God of the tern is also your God, and He has not left you without a guidance system. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105). "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain to the place where You dwell" (Psalm 43:3).