LaurieAnnP's Xanga

God's Goal

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:53:33 GMT

I came across this attempt at responding to the "missions as business" model concept. It is written on a scrap of paper, and I have no idea whether I already posted it somewhere else or not. But, for those who continue to follow my "God journey"... here it is:

_____________

God's goal is obedient disciples, loving families, and productive households.

Our past error was to promote education and create institiutions that tended to undermine families without truly planting the Kingdom of God - the authentic seed that transforms lives.

Successful businessmen who fully comprehend how to make disciples are needed. Idle scholars with a "business" facade and a theological education are not.

I propose that young people with missionary passion be challenged to develop skills that produce something - trades - rather than careers, and be trained in simple chiurch and simple life and adaptability, and that we help them to "enlarge the place of their tent" in authentic ways. The apostles were men of accomplishment in their fields, not scholars.

Otherwise, we will repeat the worst of missions history:
- "educational facilities" resulting in educated barbarians (as CS Lewis said) with disenfranchised families
-"medical facilities" resulting in dependency on western pharmaceuticals and carelessness toward traditional food and medicine
-"Church buildings" that make disciples of Western Culture and Rice Christians, not radiant believers

It is frightening to conjecture what "missions as Mammon" would produce long term. Disrupting a community's traditional food production skills, men who go abroad on "business" abandoning their families and facing temptations, and people whose orientation is toward "making a fast buck" rather than seeking God's provision and working with their own hands.

We ought not to feed into western consumerism, selling what isn't meat.
Let us consider very carefully such a strategy.

It is desperately important that the "entry point" not become the point!

The Unreasonable Commandments

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:02:37 GMT

Dredging through old blogs (I'm still not happy with my blogging, but I have said some things I'm happy about) I found this:

Ten "Unreasonable" Commandments

Give God credit for what he does
Don't make up your own gods
Don't claim "God said" if he didn't
Take a day off to rest and evaluate your priorities
Be grateful to your parents for giving you life
Don't murder each other
Don't betray each others' marriages
Don't steal each others' stuff
Don't lie in court
Don't scheme to get each others' homes, land, spouses or laborers.

What's controversial about that?

Friday, March 13, 2009

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:16:37 GMT

Why it was called "The Great Depression"

It is common for us to interchange "The Depression" with "The Great Depression", as if it were the only one, when we discuss the economic backlash of 1929 through 1939.

In its time, however, it was called "The GREAT Depression" for a very good reason - there had been many depressions before. The Industrial Age brought with it not just interchangeable factory parts but an economic co-dependency that was completely new. In biblical times, when famine hit a community, it was possible to travel by camel to where there was food. As we see now, a stockbroker sneezing in New York brings down the factories of Yonezawa.

So, why was the "Great Depression" "Great" rather than another blip on the economic scene?

Because, you see, the US Federal Government tried to FIX IT that time!

Great job, Uncle Sam. We'll let you handle this one, too!

Save me a place in the bread line!

Dance, Pastor, Dance!

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:56:43 GMT

Dance, Pastor, Dance!

You can dance now, Reverend

Cause nobody's watching

You can be free to live

The fishbowl is gone

Wade in the river

Swim in the sea,

Dance, Pastor, Dance

Jesus is in charge now,

Be free!

The weight of being Every Man

Is lifted from your shoulders

The only Cross you have to bear

is the one you own.

Liberty, sweet Liberty,

I'm not in charge no more!

Looking to the One I Love

I live for him alone.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:58:38 GMT

This is not good:

Mr. White is generally positive about the new approach. “These are all fairly thoughtful carrots,” he says. “But it would not hurt to use the power of the US Treasury or the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.] to strongly encourage the servicers to participate.

From the Washington Post. Emphasis added.

Does that sound scary? Or is it me?

Time To Break Out the Thieves Oil

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:53:48 GMT

Time To Break Out the Thieves Oil!

2 Mice Carrying Plague Disappear From New Jersey Lab, FBI Says No Public Health Risk

The mice are dead... but there is something a bit eerie in knowing that mad scientists, with FDA oversight (?!) are fooling around with bubonic plague germs...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,489595,00.html

Worldwide Caution

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:12:51 GMT

We have stayed on the Japan Embassy email list, so we have a better idea of what is REALLY going on in the world.

I'm guessing NBC hasn't let the American public know about this?

Date: February 2, 2009

The following Worldwide Caution was issued as a Public Announcement by the Department of State on February 2, 2009. As a public service to American citizens in Japan, the U.S. Embassy is e-mailing this information to subscribers to its newsletter/warden messages.

This Worldwide Caution is also available at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html

This Worldwide Caution updates information on the
continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence
against Americans and interests throughout the world.
In some countries, the worldwide recession has
contributed to political and economic instability and
social unrest. The armed conflict between Israeli
forces and Hamas in Gaza, which began in December 2008,
raised tensions and sparked demonstrations throughout
the world. U.S. citizens and others were killed in
recent terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan.
American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level
of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase
their security awareness. This replaces the Worldwide
Caution dated July 16, 2008 to provide updated
information on security threats and terrorist activities
worldwide.

The Department of State remains concerned about the
continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations,
and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and
interests overseas. Americans are reminded that
demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no
warning. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and
affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions,
including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics
including suicide operations, assassinations,
kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings. The September
2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the March
2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi,
Pakistan illustrate the continuing desire of extremists
to strike American targets.

Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-
conventional weapons, and target both official and
private interests. Examples of such targets include
high-profile sporting events, residential areas,
business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of
worship, schools, public areas, and locales where
Americans gather in large numbers, including during
holidays. Terrorists attacked two hotels, a railway
station, restaurant, hospital, and other locations in
Mumbai, India, frequented by Westerners on November 26,
2008. Over 100 persons are believed to have been
killed, including six Americans, and hundreds were
injured. On September 20, terrorist bombed the
Islamabad Marriott Hotel killing two U.S. Department of
Defense employees and one Department of State
contractor, whose remains are still unaccounted for.
One private American sustained minor injuries. A July
9, 2008, terrorist attack on Turkish police guarding the
U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey, killed three
police officers and wounded other police personnel. On
March 15, 2008, a bomb at an Italian restaurant in
Islamabad, Pakistan, killed two and injured twelve,
including five Americans. Also on March 15, two bombs
exploded at the CS Pattani Hotel in southern Thailand,
killing two and injuring thirteen.

Americans are reminded of the potential for
terrorists to attack public transportation systems.
Bombs exploded near city buses in Tripoli, Lebanon, on
August 13 and September 29, 2008, killing twenty-one
people. Other examples include multiple anti-personnel
mine detonations on passenger buses in June 2008 in Sri
Lanka, multiple terrorist attacks on trains in India in
2006, the July 2005 London Underground bombings, and the
March 2004 train attacks in Madrid. Extremists also may
select aviation and maritime services as possible
targets, such as the August 2006 plot against aircraft
in London, or the December 2006 bomb at Madrid's Barajas
International Airport. In June 2007, a vehicle was
driven into the main terminal at Glasgow International
Airport and burst into flames, but the bomb failed to
detonate.

--------------------------------
The Middle East and North Africa
--------------------------------

Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek
to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle
East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include
bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and
assassinations. While conventional weapons such as
explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many
areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including
chemical or biological agents, must be considered a
possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between
official and civilian targets. Increased security at
official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their
sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public
transportation, residential areas, and public areas
where people congregate, including restaurants, hotels,
clubs, and shopping areas.

On September 17, 2008, armed terrorists attacked the
U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen, killing several Yemeni
personnel, one embassy security guard, and a few
individuals waiting to gain entry to the embassy. On
March 18, 2008, a mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy in
Yemen injured several Yemeni citizens in the vicinity.
On January 15, 2008, a roadside explosion in Beirut,
Lebanon killed three Lebanese and injured an American
citizen. On December 11, 2007, two vehicle-borne
explosive devices were detonated at the UN headquarters
in Algiers and the Algerian Constitutional Council.
Three suicide bomb attacks in July and September of 2007
in Algeria killed more than 80 people. In July 2007,
suspected al-Qaida operatives carried out a vehicle-
borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Bilquis
Temple in Yemen, killing eight Spanish tourists and
their two Yemeni drivers. There were a series of
bombings in Morocco in March and April 2007, two of
which occurred simultaneously outside the U.S. Consulate
General and the private American Language Center in
Casablanca. Additionally, an attack took place on the
American International School in Gaza in April 2007.
These events underscore the intent of terrorist entities
to target facilities perceived to cater to Westerners.

Potential targets are not limited to those companies
or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance,
terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores,
bars, casinos, or any similar type of establishment,
regardless of whether they are owned and operated by
host country nationals. Due to varying degrees of
security at all such locations, Americans should be
particularly vigilant when visiting these
establishments.

The violence in Iraq and conflict between
Palestinians and Israelis have the potential to produce
demonstrations and unrest throughout the region. The
armed conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza,
which began in December 2008, raised tensions and
sparked demonstrations throughout the world. The
Department of State continues to warn of the possibility
for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests
in the region. Anti-American violence could include
possible terrorist actions against aviation, ground
transportation, and maritime interests, specifically in
the Middle East, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf,
the Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa.

The Department is concerned that extremists may be
planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil
workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed attacks
targeting foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that
resulted in many deaths and injuries, including U.S.
citizens, appear to have been preceded by extensive
surveillance. Tourist destinations in Egypt frequented
by Westerners were attacked in April 2006 resulting in
many deaths and injuries, including Americans.
Extremists may be surveilling Westerners, particularly
at hotels, housing areas, and rental car facilities.
Potential targets may include U.S. contractors,
particularly those related to military interests.
Financial or economic venues of value also could be
considered as possible targets; the failed attack on the
Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia in late
February 2006 and the September 2006 attack on oil
facilities in Yemen are examples.

-----------
East Africa
-----------

A number of al-Qaida operatives and other
extremists are believed to be operating in and around
East Africa. As a result of the conflict in Somalia,
some of these individuals may seek to relocate elsewhere
in the region. Americans considering travel to the
region and those already there should review their plans
carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal
security, and exercise caution. Terrorist actions may
include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, or
targeting maritime vessels. Terrorists do not
distinguish between official and civilian targets.
Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led
terrorists to seek softer targets such as hotels, beach
resorts, prominent public places, and landmarks. In
particular, terrorists and likeminded extremists may
target international aid workers, civil aviation, and
seaports in various locations throughout East Africa,
including Somalia. Americans in remote areas or border
regions where military or police authority is limited or
non-existent could also become targets.

Americans considering travel by sea near the Horn
of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise
extreme caution, as there has been a notable increase
in armed attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for
ransom at sea by pirates in recent months. Merchant
vessels continue to be hijacked in Somali territorial
waters, while others have been hijacked as far as 300
nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, Yemen, and
Kenya in international waters.

The U.S. Government maritime authorities advise
mariners to avoid the port of Mogadishu, and to
remain at least 200 nautical miles off the coast of
Somalia. In addition, when transiting around the
Horn of Africa or in the Red Sea, it is strongly
recommended that vessels travel in convoys, and
maintain good communications contact at all times.
Americans traveling on commercial passenger vessels
should consult with the shipping or cruise ship
company regarding precautions that will be taken to
avoid hijacking incidents. Commercial vessels should
review the Department of Transportation Maritime
Administration's suggested piracy countermeasures for
vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden.

----------------------
South and Central Asia
----------------------

The U.S. Government continues to receive
information that terrorist groups in South and Central
Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly
against U.S. Government facilities, American citizens,
or American interests. The presence of al-Qaida,
Taliban elements, indigenous sectarian groups, and other
terror organizations, many of which are on the U.S.
Government's list of foreign terror organizations, poses
a potential danger to American citizens in the region.
Continuing tensions in the Middle East may also increase
the threat of anti-Western or anti-American violence in
the region.

Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated
their willingness and capability to attack targets where
Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or
visit. Their actions may include, but are not limited
to, vehicle-born explosives, improvised explosive
devices, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks,
assaults or kidnappings. In November 2008, coordinated
terrorist attacks on luxury hotels, a Jewish community
center, a restaurant, train station, hospital, and other
facilities frequented by foreigners in Mumbai, India
killed more than 170, including six Americans. On
November 12, 2008, an American government contractor and
his driver in Peshawar, Pakistan were shot and killed in
their car. In September 2008, more than fifty people,
including three Americans, were killed and hundreds were
injured when a suicide bomber set off a truck filled
with explosives outside a major international hotel in
Islamabad, Pakistan. In August 2008, gunmen stopped and
shot at the vehicle of an American diplomat in Peshawar.
In August, three female western non-governmental
organization (NGO) employees, along with their male
Afghan driver, were gunned down as they traveled south
of Kabul, Afghanistan. On June 2, 2008, a large bomb
exploded in front of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad
killing at least six people and wounding nearly 20. In
May 2008, a series of coordinated bombings occurred in
market and temple areas of the tourist city of Jaipur in
Rajasthan, India. In Afghanistan, kidnappings and
terrorist attacks on international organizations,
international aid workers, and foreign interests
continue. In Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam and other groups have conducted suicide bombings
at political rallies, government buildings, and major
economic targets, and in recent months have increasingly
targeted public transportation. Although there is no
indication that American citizens were targeted in these
attacks, and none were injured, there is a heightened
risk of American citizens being victims of violence by
being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central
Asia have involved improvised explosive devices and
suicide bombers and have targeted public areas, such as
markets, local government facilities, and, in 2004, the
U.S. and Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan. In addition,
hostage-takings and skirmishes have occurred near the
Uzbek-Tajik-Kyrgyz border areas.

-------------
Before You Go
-------------

U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are
encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate through the State Department's travel
registration web site at
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that
they can obtain updated information on travel and
security. Americans without Internet access may
register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it
easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in
case of emergency.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high
level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take
the appropriate steps to bolster their personal
security. For additional information, please refer to
"A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.

U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a
heightened state of alert. These facilities may
temporarily close or periodically suspend public
services to assess their security posture. In those
instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every
effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens.
Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and
maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or
Consulate.

As the Department continues to develop information
on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens
overseas, it shares credible threat information through
its Consular Information Program documents, available on
the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to
information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-
date information on security conditions by calling 1-
888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada
or, outside the United States and Canada on a regular
toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday,
Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays.)

----------
Contact Us
----------

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of either the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo or one of the U.S. Consulates in Japan listed below:

U.S. Embassy in Tokyo
American Citizen Services
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420
Tel: 03-3224-5174
Fax: 03-3224-5856
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/tacs-main.html

The U.S. Embassy serves Americans in Tokyo, Chiba, Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Nagano, Niigata, Saitama, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Yamagata and Yamanashi.

==============================
U.S. Consulate General Sapporo
American Citizen Services
Kita 1-jo, Nishi 28-chome
Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821
Tel: 011-641-1115
Fax: 011-643-1283

The U.S. Consulate General in Sapporo serves Americans in Akita, Aomori, Hokkaido, Iwate and Miyagi. As there are times when both officers are away from the office, we ask that you make an appointment before coming to the Consulate General.

=====================
U.S. Consulate Nagoya
Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor
1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001 TEL (052) 581-4501 FAX (052) 581-3190

The U.S. Consulate Nagoya provides emergency consular services including death and arrest cases for Americans living in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures. Please call Nagoya or Osaka for confirmation before traveling to Nagoya if you believe you have an emergency situation. Routine American Citizen Services are provided by appointment only. If an appointment is not available, American residents may also receive service at the Consulate in Osaka.

=================================
U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
American Citizen Services
11-5, Nishitenma 2-chome
Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543
Tel: 06-6315-5912
Fax: 06-6315-5914

The U.S. Consulate General in Osaka helps Americans in Osaka, Aichi, Ehime, Fukui, Gifu, Hiroshima, Hyogo, Ishikawa, Kagawa, Kochi, Kyoto, Mie, Nara, Okayama, Shimane, Shiga, Tokushima, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama.

======================
U.S. Consulate Fukuoka
American Citizen Services
5-26, Ohori 2-chome
Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052
Tel: 092-751-9331
Fax: 092-713-9222

The U.S. Consulate in Fukuoka helps Americans in Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Oita, Saga and Yamaguchi.

===========================
U.S. Consulate General Naha
2-1-1 Toyama,
Urasoe City
Okinawa 901-2104
Phone: 098.876.4211
Fax: 098.876.4243
DSN: 645-7323

The U.S. Consulate General in Naha helps Americans in Okinawa and the Amami Oshima Island group (which is the southern island group of Kagoshima Prefecture).

Travel, safety and security information is also available directly from the U.S. Department of State at http://travel.state.gov/

More Humor from the Powell house.

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:19:42 GMT

Me: It's kind of sad seeing the sexpots from our youth featured on the AARP magazine.

Jeff: Yeah.

Me: Seems like we might almost head right down to the nursing home and sign up.

Jeff: Early Admission.

Me: Yeah.

Jeff: "Excuse me, do you have a Head Start Program?"

Humor from the Powell Family Dining Room Table

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:21:02 GMT

Scientists Use Brain Enhancing Drugs

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/04/09/brain.drugs/index.html

DH: Did you read the headlines that scientists are using brain enhancing drugs?

Moi: "Is that how they discovered global warming? Yeah... Does it seem hot in here to you?"

Son: "So... will they have their Nobel prizes revoked if they get caught?"

DH: "Yeah. 'Peace, man... Wow.... I've discovered peace.' "

Two Page "Church" planting manual

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:04:39 GMT

I wanted to share the basics with our friend from Japan today. This is what I came up with as the most essential things about "The Kingdom of God is Here"

___

Two Page Kingdom Manual

I. This is the "7 commands" as from one of the church planting websites. I haven't quite gotten them committed to memory, so I'm not sure I said them right to you ( I said, "serve" would actually fall under "love", and here they separate 1 and 2).

This breakdown is not the only way to see them, but they do, as we discuss, give a framework to get people started!
___
Jesus said, "Teaching them all I have commanded you..." and "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." So we look for the word "command" and for clear directives by Jesus and we find they all fall under these seven, easily understood, easily remembered commands:

The Seven Commands of Christ are :
1) Repent, believe, and receive the Holy Spirit (conversion, regeneration), Mark 1:15; John 3:16; 20:22
2) Be baptized and live the new life it initiates, initiating ongoing transformation, Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:1-14
3) Love God, neighbour, fellow disciples, the needy in a practical way and enemies (forgive), Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34-35, Luke 10:25-37; Matthew 5:43-48
4) Break bread (Communion, related to all that we do to worship), Matthew 26:26-28; John 4:24
5) Pray (private and family devotions, intercession and spiritual warfare), John 16:24
6) Give (stewardship of our time, treasure and talents), Luke 6:38
7) Make disciples (witness for Christ, shepherd, apply the Word, train leaders, send missionaries), Matthew 28:18-20

So, we teach "simple, loving obedience to Jesus" and our target is heads of household, which reinforces the family, because people then are practicing on two levels: loving obedience to God and to their head of household. Walking it out within the family. And the heads of household practice loving obedience and submission to one another.

One thing I've heard that is helpful is that there is a difference between "PRINCIPLES" and "STRATEGIES" which goes along with duplicability. Programs are "strategy", the Seven Commands are principles and must be taught in a reproducible way.

So, going to the beach for soul-winning or meeting people in other ways would be a valid "strategy" and then what we teach would be based on the "principles".

II. Healthy Churches do these 5 things:
Worship
Outreach
Discipleship
Ministry
Fellowship

III. Peter's Sermon

38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

III. The Fellowship of the Believers

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

IV. Leadership

1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer,^[a] he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11In the same way, their wives^[b] are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.