Martin Schmaltz's Blog (37)

I have been doing some research and studying lately: looking at various experts’ material regarding business, marketing and the web. I am searching to see if there are common principles in each presentation. So far there is a few. One of them is the idea of risk.



Let me put it in my words:

Those that are successful are willing to take risks.

Those who play it safe will be average.



We remember the risk takers: the Wright bothers, Neil Armstrong, Chuck Yeager (I… Continue

I was at lunch the other day enjoying good food and conversation with some friends. One of them was discussing what he was like before we knew him and made this statement: “I’m not what you are used to.” My mind began to reel! I wonder if Jesus said that: I can imagine him thinking that.



Think about it, Jesus steps on the scene of the pharisees traditional religious world and begins to shake it up a little. He didn’t fast like they did. He did not get involved with all the ceremonial… Continue

It is amazing how two people can look at the same thing and both see something different. Look at the two pictures below and tell me what you see? Now look again, maybe study for a minute.



In the one to the right: do you see the old man with a mustache and hat? What about the old woman? Do you see a third person: the younger lady?…





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In the market place, everything is about being different. Automakers advertise the different features that make their cares distinctly different from the competitors. Clothing designers have a distinguishing style that makes each of them different. Sports teams wear different uniforms to set them apart from the other team.



In personal lives, most people want to be different. In discussions we speak of our achievements, degrees, awards and dreams, all in an attempt to set us apart as… Continue

One of the pluses of traveling is you have time to think and ruminate over things. As I am returning from the Philippines, I have been thinking about the miraculous things God did. To those who were hungry He imparted an understanding and ability to operate in apostolic authority. In two services, there were those who received healings. Longstanding health issues were instantly eliminated; back, leg, should and heart problems to name a few. Yet there were those who did not receive a… Continue

The obvious answer to the above question is NO!! In fact, you may even think that is a dumb question. My follow up question is: “Why not?” Now you’re really thinking I’m a few fries short of a happy meal. You reply, “Because they are not old enough!” The reality is, a child is not mature enough to be trusted with the responsibility and power of an automobile, they still act like children.



In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul addressed the people as infants. They were… Continue

Recently, I was in service and someone defined the church as, “Those that are called out of darkness into His light.” While this is true, I believe it is only a limited part of what the true church is and its authority.



In a previous Apostolic Note, “The Real Church,” we presented the original meaning of the Greek word for church – ekklesia. Unfortunately, in the church world, we have relegated it to a religious context and miss the full impact of it’s meaning. The following is from… Continue

Suppose it is lunchtime and you are starving: you enter your favorite sandwich shop and place your order for that super deluxe dagwood special. As your sandwich arrives, you immediately realize something is wrong: the first clue – you are looking down at a pile of lettuce, no apparent bread. Upon closer examination you notice the whole sandwich is structured wrong, something like this: relish on the bottom, butter, a slice of bread, cheese, another slice of bread, the meat, more butter then the… Continue

Representative: One that serves as a delegate or agent for another.

– American Heritage Dictionary



Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…



This scripture gives us wonderful insight into God’s purpose for mankind. Adam was created in the image and likeness of God. Vines tells us that image means; "image or copy" of something in the sense of a replica. According to Theological Wordbook of the Old… Continue

The cover story for the current issue of Newsweek (April 9, 2009) magazine is entitled "The Decline of Christian America," and presents a bleak picture of the church's future of impacting society.



Based on the 2009 American Religious Identification Survey, the article quotes the following statistics:



* The "number of Americans claiming no religious affiliation has nearly doubled since

1990, rising from 8 to 15 percent."

* The number of individuals claiming to be… Continue

A lot is being said and written about purpose. This thought is prevalent in the business and motivational world. Companies are encouraged to find out what their purpose is beyond just producing a product or providing a service for profit. It is believed that in finding their purpose, they will become more successful. This success comes because of two reasons: first, by knowing their purpose they can focus solely on the actions that produce the desired results. Secondly, this focus of purpose… Continue

It seems there was this man that for all of his life lived in need. No matter what he attempted, it seems he could never get ahead. One day he received notification that a distant relative had died and left to him their mansion. Obviously this man was elated. Finally something had gone right for him.



Upon receiving the deed and keys to the mansion, this individual proceeds to his new possession. As he arrives, he is struck with awe and amazement at its size and grandeur. With great… Continue

In an earlier article, "Why We Are Not Apostolic," we presented the definition of tradition. To summarize, it is the act of giving over, giving up or surrender. It has the same etymology as the word treason. Jesus said, "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men," (Mark 7:7-8). Jesus declares the results of these traditions in verse 13, "Making the word of God of none effect through… Continue

When I minister in other countries, there is this barely perceptible, but yet real emotional maybe psychological thing that happens when I return home. It seems that when I arrive back at the first major U.S. airport, there is this sigh and relaxation that passes through me. As I am making my way to immigrations, there is always a little charge when I see the sign that signifies the line for US passport holder or citizens.



After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that this… Continue

In a previous post, we presented the idea that the proof of being apostolic was not in our doctrine or structure, but it was obediently going and doing what we have been sent to do. The challenge we face is that in many (if not most) believers lives and churches we are not going. Now I understand there are always exceptions and there are churches and believers out there who are being apostolic. However, as a whole we are not accomplishing the great commission. So the question begs to be asked:… Continue

Previously, we have defined that apostolic means being sent as the representative of Jesus Christ to reveal His kingdom. The definition of being “sent” includes four components, the fourth being the completion or manifestation of the duty is proof of the sending. This truth was even stated by Jesus himself in John 5:36: “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent… Continue

Much is being said today about “the apostolic.” There are those who believe a restoration of “the apostolic” is necessary. Various views of what apostolic means include: a succession of leadership traceable back to Peter, a particular doctrine instructed by the apostles or a particular church organizational structure with an individual in leadership, calling themselves an apostle. Many of these may contain some elements of truth or they may be man’s attempt to apply the principles of apostolic,… Continue