Phil, I wonder if a more accurate translation in that verse, might be,
Ministering for the Lord?

earlier, Phil Scovell, wrote:
>      I agreed with all the comments I read on the list about the
>story of the songbird and the flower.  The overall theme, or
>idea, was good.  That seemed to be, of course, that we all are
>individually just as important to God as someone who seems to have
>a great talent they are using for the Lord.
>
>      After reading the story, I sat at my keyboard for awhile and
>thought about it.  Something about it just didn't sound right and
>yet I agreed with the main thrust of the story.  As I read it a
>second time, I began to realize what it was that bothered me.
>
>      First, the other animals, especially those in church,
>including the eagles that came in to visit later, all agree she
>had a gift which needed to be shared with others to glorify the
>Lord.  This is not all that uncommonly done.  However, the story
>makes me uncomfortable because it appears church leadership seems
>to be all screwed up and apparently can't hear from God very well
>at all.  Yes, I'm probably your biggest church critic.  It is hard
>for me to believe, however, there wasn't one wise person in that
>church.
>
>      Secondly, the flower sent the little songbird back on her way
>to sit outside, a long ways away from the church, and sing.  Lone
>Ranger Christians, or what I sometimes call generic Christians,
>often have an agenda.  If you hang around them long enough, you'll
>spot it.  this is true, to some degree, of the church, of course,
>and some people building ministries and churches, instead of God's
>children, have an agenda as well and it isn't any more ordained of
>God than those traveling around and functioning in para church
>ministries.
>
>      Thirdly, there is a verse in the Bible where talks about
>ministering to the Lord.
>
>One. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain
>prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called
>Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, who had been brought up
>with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
>Two.  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit
>said, Separate for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I
>have called them.
>Three.  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands
>on them, they sent them away.
>Four. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, departed to
>Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus, (Acts 13:1-4).
>
>      The Greek word used for "ministered" in the second verse
>simply means to execute an office without being paid.  It just
>means that a person would, in this case, minister to the Lord
>without expecting anything in return.  The same word is only used
>three times in the New Testament.
>
>      You might notice that this was a group of people worshipping
>the Lord together and waiting upon the Holy Spirit to give them
>direction.  I doubt anybody would disagree that spending time
>alone with the Lord just in worship is important but you don't
>have to be alone to do it.  If you don't have a church and the
>Lord has not led you to one at the moment, you can worship the
>Lord right where you are.  Good thought and I believe that likely
>this was the basic truth of the entire little story.
>
>      The advice of the flower was, do your thing, that is, what
>God has given to you as a gift, but you don't need the church for
>that.  Poor advice at best.
>
>      Just my opinion as a trouble maker you understand.
>
>Phil.
>
>Phil C Sharp
>The Coil Of The snake
>A Free Online E-Novel
>www.SafePlaceFellowship.com

John

   My girlfriend said I never listen to her, or something ...