Pastor Rick Warren: Whatever You Do, Do It as a Ministry

By Rick Warren

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17 NIV).

God has called you to be a minister.

Maybe you’ll never preach a sermon. Maybe you’ll never officiate a wedding or a funeral. Maybe you’ll never lead a church.
But make no mistake about it: If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re a minister.
God has called you to be a bi-vocational minister. What does that mean? Think of the word “bifocal.” Those are the glasses that allow someone to see two things at the same time—both far away and up close—with clarity.
When you follow Jesus, you do everything for two reasons, not one: to help others and to honor God. That makes you a bi-vocational minister, whether you’re a truck driver, an attorney, a janitor, or a stay-at-home parent. You have a job, but in that job, you work to help others and to honor God.
The Bible says it like this in Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (NIV).
That Scripture reminds us that anything we do can be a ministry and a blessing if we honor God and help others through it. Whatever you do, do it in the name of Jesus. Taking out the garbage, changing a dirty diaper, and cleaning the living room can all be ministries.
As long as your motivation is right, the Bible says that whatever you do can become a ministry. That means menial tasks become meaningful tasks when you do them out of love for God.
When you look at life from this perspective, everything you do becomes significant.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over

How does the Bible’s teaching to do everything for the Lord change your perspective on tasks you might otherwise consider unimportant?
How does your calling as a bi-vocational minister impact how you look at your work?
What’s a task in your life that you struggle to think about in terms of helping others and honoring God? Why do you think that’s so?

Fourth Illinois death tied to vaping-related illness

Illinois task force to reduce property taxes misses report deadline

An 88-member task force missed a key deadline to deliver a report on how to reduce the state’s high property taxes, all but guaranteeing none of the group’s recommendations will be signed into law this year.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Bills to make daylight saving time year-round standard get fresh attention

Proposed legislation in both the Illinois House and Senate would make daylight saving time the year-round standard in Illinois.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Fourth Illinois death tied to vaping related illness

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a fourth death related to the use of vaping products.

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

Wanda Louise Frost – Benton, IL

Wanda Louise Frost, 75, of Benton, IL passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 17, 2019 at SIH Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

She was born in Benton, IL on Oct. 23, 1944, the daughter of Marion & Oma (Jones) Roberts.
She married Charles “Eddie” Frost on May 19, 1962, and he preceded her in death on May 27, 2004.

Mrs. Frost was a member of South Benton Baptist Church, and attended New Hope Baptist Church in Benton.

Mrs. Frost was a dedicated mother of five daughters and Mama to her grandchildren.

Mrs. Frost is survived by daughters, Cheryl Commean, and husband Kevin, of Benton, Melinda Mitchell, and husband Kenny, of Marion, IL, Cindy Bryan, and husband Anthony, of Logan, IL, Christy Harkins, and husband Steve, of West Frankfort and Tammy Wilcox, and husband Shawn, of Benton; Ashley and James Pritchard, Keri and Cyle Cavins, Caleb Shaw, Scott Mitchell, Kyle Mitchell, Samantha and Brian Gregg, Specialist Christopher Kinkade, U.S. Army, Kelsey Wilcox and Kortney Wilcox; five great-grandchildren, Hunter, Jasey, Cayson, Isaac and Annalise; sisters Carolyn and husband Lonnie McLearin, of Whittington, Jane Stowers, of Benton and Lucille and John Elko, of Benton; brother Vernon Roberts, of Benton and several nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Frost was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a brother and sister-in-law: William and Linda Roberts and by a brother-in-law, Larry Stowers.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Rev. William Hottensen officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic & Oddfellows Cemetery in Benton. Visitation will be after 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

Sharon M. Hall — Benton, IL

Sharon M. Hall, age 76, of Benton, passed away at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Benton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Rev. Bert Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Sharon Mary Jane Hall was born on October 1, 1943 in Cambria, IL, the daughter of Virgil Swann and Maude (Robertson) Swann. She married Wesley Hall on January 23, 1960, and he preceded her in death on March 27, 1997.

Mrs. Hall was a member of the West City Baptist Church. She was a faithful member and song leader, until her health would not allow her to attend. Sharon loved her church and her church family.

Sharon worked with Continental Tire of Mt. Vernon, where she worked in the bead room section of manufacturing.

She loved Chicago Cubs baseball, attending her church, singing, dancing, going on car rides around the lake, and especially loved spending time with her family. She was also known for her sassiness and sarcasm.

Surviving are four children: Lonnie Hall and wife Alice of West Frankfort, Kathy Todd and husband Dennis of Benton, Tracie Kalata and husband Brian of Buffalo, NY, Kelli Hall of Benton; grandchildren: Eric Williams and wife Misty, Emily Cook, Jeremy Cook, Nick Hall and wife Chelsea, Allen Hall, Amy Jo Hall, Jamie Todd, Ryan Hall, Josh Bettis, Chelsea Hughes, Lindsey Smith and husband Steven; great-grandchildren: Gracie Hall, Faith Cook, Lincoln Williams, Jackson Williams, Chantel Williams, Addison Smith, Stella Settlemoir; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; an infant son Michael Hall; five sisters and two brothers.

To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Mrs. Sharon Hall, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Jackson Roy McGlasson – Mt Vernon, IL

Jackson Roy McGlasson, 66, of Mt Vernon, passed away on November 14, 2019.
He was born on November 23, 1952 in Mt Vernon, IL to Hiram Hugh and Martha Juanita (Page) McGlasson.

He is survived by his brother Everett (Carol) McGlasson of Springfield, IL and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and seven brothers and sisters.

His wishes were to be cremated. There will be a memorial service at a later date.
Brayfield-Gilbert Funeral Home of Sesser is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

William Thomas Lampley, Sr. — Benton, IL

William Thomas Lampley, Sr., age 89, of Benton, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the Stonebridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Benton.

Per Tom’s wishes, he will be cremated.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Masonic & Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton, with Rev. Dean Severin officiating. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery on Monday for the Graveside service. Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

William Thomas Lampley was born on December 30, 1929 in Benton, the son of Andrew Lampley and Gertrude Ellen (Woods) Lampley. He married the former Peggy Joan Thomas on September 15, 1951. Together they shared 62 years of marriage, until her death on October 31, 2013.
Mr. Lampley was a retired self-employed brick mason. He also formerly worked for the City of Benton Water Plant.

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War.
Tom was a member of the Benton Masonic Lodge #64 A.F. & A.M., Benton American Legion Post# 280, Operating Engineers Local, and the Brick Layers Union.

He was of the Baptist faith.

Tom enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, and wood crafting.
Survivors include three children: William Thomas Lampley, Jr. and wife Renee of West Frankfort, Marilyn and husband Bruce Zoller of DuQuoin, Tim Lampley of DuQuoin; seven grandchildren: Shawn Loss, Alicia Gregg, Ben Lampley, Julie Lampley, Marcus Lampley, Joey Lampley, Brandy Metten; eleven great-grandchildren; two brothers: Paul Lampley and wife Diane of Buckner, Everett Lampley of Benton; a sister Mary and husband Wayne Summers of West Frankfort; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Lampley was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers: Donald Lampley, Sr., Archie L. Lampley, Sr.; two infant sisters: Dorothy and Lula Belle Lampley; and a sister-in-law Mary Lampley.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of William Thomas Lampley, Sr., to the Alzheimer’s Association, and can be dropped off or mailed to the Leffler Funeral Home.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Mr. Lampley, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

Wilma Lee Cockrum – Sesser, IL

Wilma Lee Cockrum, 94, of Sesser, IL passed away Saturday morning, Nov. 9, 2019 at her home in Sesser.

She was born on July 29, 1925 in Sesser, the daughter of Goldman Alfred & Fannie Mae (Harrison) Tucker.

She married Coy I. Cockrum on Aug. 31, 1942, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 25, 2003.
Mrs. Cockrum along with her husband owned & operated Coy & Wilma’s Campground & Bait Shop from 1972 to 2012. She was a member of the Hazel Dell Free Will Baptist Church.

Mrs. Cockrum is survived by her children, Connie Hammond, and husband Larry, of Sesser, Coy Deon Cockrum, and wife Vickee, of Benton, IL and Danny Cockrum, of Sandwich, IL; grandchildren Larry Don Hammond, of Sesser, Rich Hammond, and wife Amy, of Sesser, Scott Cockrum, and wife Elizabeth, of Pace, FL, Gina Williams, and husband Scott, of West Frankfort, IL, Chris Cockrum, of San Diego, CA, Melissa Cushman, of Athens; 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Ermalee Conner, Mazie Hamilton, Afton Lampley and Donna Tucker. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many special friends.

Mrs. Cockrum was preceded in death by her parents, husband, by a brother, Dempsey Tucker; by one sister, Idella Montgomery, and by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12th at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton with Ann Schwengel officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Sesser. Visitation will be after 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to SSM Hospice.
For more information or to send online condolences please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com

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