tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58128664399797184362024-03-13T16:01:42.189-07:00Brian's Thoughts...Thoughts, scriptures, and prayers that I encounter throughout my life.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-22477284926135374802018-08-27T11:57:00.002-07:002018-08-27T11:57:25.029-07:00Ouch! My back hurts!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The truth of my life at this moment is that I have messed up my back. Here's how: We had decided as a family to re-shingle the house on our own. In the process, we found that we needed to replace the plywood that sits underneath the shingles. I was trimming one of the boards and ended up falling down between the supports and ended up on the floor of my daughter's room. Ouch! Very Ouch!<br />
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I ended up in the worst pain I had personally consciously experienced in my life. We had to call 911 and ask for help. After getting me into the ambulance (thanks Snohomish Fire Department!!!) and to the hospital, they treated my pain and scanned me in several different ways. I even got scanned by the MRI machine. 😊 I found out that I had compression fractured two of my vertebrae in my lower back. And one of them was the one you have to watch out for because it helps you regulate your bowels. (I didn't fracture that one badly enough to cause that irregularity though, whew!) They fitted me with a brace to help me through my day. Once I reached a stable place of managing my pain they released me.<br />
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I was so relieved to be set free from the hospital, even though this time it didn't seem like such a big deal. But part of my release was to wear a brace that I call my Iron Man costume. It has been both a blessing and an irritant. Today I still have 5 weeks left of wearing this wonderful contraption that reminds me not to bend or twist. It also keeps me in good posture. But I don't like the thing. I am patient with it. I appreciate what it does. I am glad it helps me not get sore as quickly or experience as much pain. But I don't like it.<br />
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So I am now trying to gently push myself in recovery from this injury, even if I do have to lay back and relax for a long while after a time of activity. I am in prayer with God to continue to receive healing. As a family, we were blessed with gifts and prayers from our church and other family and friends. I know I was personally blessed through their prayers for healing. Thanks everyone for your help and prayers! If you would like to continue praying please pray for God to bless us in this busy season of starting school again and for me to keep up the healing plan for my back and self.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-33450290436028985412018-05-22T14:07:00.000-07:002018-05-22T14:07:35.091-07:00Choice or circumstances?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrfDyXR7L6iW164A13bfNeh5zRKYORadO51cFiJv4diY0dmLEKdqAcZR61X8JqrD7Ofl-EeA4CojosfUwGOAz7B7Y2di4oI-atsbNoylaZLa8anDLfv-mcPamwQC7plVrNNFj7NywKxY/s1600/choice_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="629" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrfDyXR7L6iW164A13bfNeh5zRKYORadO51cFiJv4diY0dmLEKdqAcZR61X8JqrD7Ofl-EeA4CojosfUwGOAz7B7Y2di4oI-atsbNoylaZLa8anDLfv-mcPamwQC7plVrNNFj7NywKxY/s640/choice_main.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I am personally faced with a question in my life. Am I where I am today because of my circumstances or choices? What do you think? Today I am blogging a little differently. I have picked out some pictures that talk about this question from some different perspectives. Please comment your thoughts below. Thanks!<br />
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<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-34606203777028595272018-05-07T13:36:00.001-07:002018-05-07T13:36:36.001-07:00"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Extraordinary? Am I someone who is extraordinary? Well...the truth is yes and no. What do I mean? I am not someone who is making world-wide changes or has tremendous influence or has any superpowers. But I am extra-ordinary in a different sense of the term. I am a person who is loved by God and has come to realize that increasingly day after day.</div>
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I have always been a fan of watching Robin Williams movies. The one that really caught me when I was younger and then rebirthed interest when I was in college was "Dead Poet's Society" where he played a younger teacher who captivates the imaginations of his class and at one time has them all standing on their desks quoting "Oh Captain, my Captain." At another point in the movie, he teaches the meaning of <i>carpe diem</i>. He says to them in the hallway by the trophies and pictures of those in the past, "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary."<br />
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We are so influenced by the teachers and the encouragement we have has as we grew up. In fact, I was talking with a long-time best friend this morning about how our kids have been affected by the teachers that they have had. Both of us had a child with a terrible first-grade experience and watched smart kids take a major hit. But then both kids have had great teaching following that and we have both been blessed by a rejuvenation of teaching that re-equipped them to enjoy school and learning! Way to go to all awesome teachers out there, who recognize differences and take steps to help <i>all</i> the kids in their classes.<br />
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So what are the bad influences in your life? Anyone can be a significant influence on your life. Parents are a definite influence. So are teachers and other authority figures in your life. Friends alter and change who you are as you live in the world. Even people you don't like or even don't really know can be a significant influence on you. For me, there was one boy I knew since kindergarten that made a comment about me in high school that has persisted in how I think about myself to this day. But, I have since been able to teach myself how to deal with that.<br />
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So, how did I deal with these influences in our lives? First, I need to recognize that my life is being impacted by those influences. Second, I also need to understand that you are the one responsible for the choices I have made then and even now. Third, I need an awesome mentor or friend to help me retrain yourself.<br />
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But what does that mean to me? I have friends, don't I? Probably yes, but perhaps not a real friend though. Not in the close, awesome, kind of friend I mentioned earlier. A real friend or mentor is someone that I have come to find that I can share anything with and know that they will listen honestly to me, accept me as a person, and tell me the truth when all is said and done. Someone I can call at 1 a.m. Christmas Eve if you need to. Someone you share anything and everything with. I am not referring to my spouse: she is my number one friend that I can share anything with but there are things I don't necessarily want to talk through with her when I am thinking through them because she is more directly involved with the consequences of my actions and has a win/lose position in my choices.<br />
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I do need a friend that I can share this kind of relationship with on a regular basis. I have friends here and there that I can call and talk to about anything. But they are far from where I live. One is an hour plus drive from my house and the other will soon be living on the other side of the country. So that is still someone that I am looking for.<br />
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However, whether or not I have an awesome friend there is one that I can trust to help me through and give me the strength and answer that I need regardless of the situation: God. <br />
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart;<br />do not depend on your own understanding.<br />Seek his will in all you do,<br />and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NCV)</blockquote>
I have found that no matter what I do, no matter what I think makes the most sense, and no matter what other people say to me, God's way is always the right way. I have thrown myself against His way for long enough to know that He always knows which way is right. It may not seem just, or fair, or loving at the time, but His way has always been shown to be the best and most loving way in my life. He has shown me his mercy and extravagance at the right times. He has celebrated with me and cherished me. He has given me blessings and corrections. He has walked on the "mountaintops" in my life and has walked with me through the "valleys." I have found that friends always help us through, whether that would be Jesus or someone else that is extra-ordinary.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-46254651109075165762018-05-03T14:06:00.001-07:002018-05-03T14:06:59.095-07:00My Story... (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, continuing my story from last time, I had given my life to Jesus in high school and expected things to change for me. And a lot of things did! But all my life previous to that I had learned to look like the "good boy" despite having things about me that would say otherwise. I had learned to hide the yucky things that I did.<br />
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I think that when I was a junior in high school I was on an awesome retreat called Chrysalis. It was a pretty extreme retreat where we weren't allowed to know what time it was or communicate with anyone outside. Not for everybody. On this retreat, we spent some time in prayer and fasting and God surprised me. He gave me an idea that I was called to become a pastor. Wow! Both incredibly cool and wonderfully scary. I wasn't sure what this meant for me at the time. I knew I had a lot of work to get done.<br />
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In my senior year of high school, I started a Bible study as an official school club. I was pretty proud of that because I went to a <u>public</u> high school in Seattle and had to prove that that would be okay. We met regularly all year and the four or five of us that attended together really enjoyed it. And also this year I applied to SPU for my college education with a degree in Christian Theology. It seemed like everything was building up to what I needed to do to become a pastor. But there were some things in my "closet" that still needed the grace of Jesus.<br />
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When does a person know that they are saved and headed to Heaven? When I first consciously gave my life to Christ, prayed the "Prayer" of salvation, I thought that I was prayed and done. God would make things better for me and I would be living in the comfort of Heaven from then on. That's how it works, right? One and done? The answer was: nope! False expectations can twist your thinking around in so many directions that you are dizzy like when you step off that carnival ride that spins around and around by the time it's all done. But what I'd expected from Jesus was a false expectation.<br />
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Despite getting married to an absolutely amazing woman, despite going through a tough process and getting ordained in the church, despite having success in my work and my life, I had trouble following me. I personally fought with an addiction for most of my life: I was addicted to sex. I can't count the number of times I wanted to be free from it and prayed to God to take that temptation out of my life. But He didn't. I thought I was stuck. I had found ways to indulge myself since I was young. I had thought that marriage would fix me. It didn't. I had thought that becoming ordained would fix me. It didn't. I had thought that reading the right books on becoming pure would help. They didn't.<br />
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My problem was that I had expected God to remove the temptation from my life, but instead, He wants us to have the chance to say "yes" or "no" to it. His strength would enable me to find a way through but I still would have that temptation in my life. It seems that my answer was a combination of 1 Corinthians 10:13 and James 5:16. Not only did I need to pray, but I needed to seek the prayers and help of another lover of Christ. I needed people in my life that I could be honest with. But I had isolated myself in my shame that I had no one that was keeping me spiritually honest. So, in the end, I needed to join a sex addicts' group.<br />
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What a change I have experienced through this pile of crap I had gathered and piled up in my life and coming out of it with the help of other people! I learned that living on my own without other Christians in my life meant I was pointed at hell. Jesus came to this world not only to pay the price for my sins but to start a relationship with me. Feeling the love of God and sharing that with others means that I have to be a person in the world who has good relationships with real people. Love is not a feeling, but an action. I could pray constantly throughout my life, but if I don't love (share the grace and goodness God gives me) the people around me, I gain nothing (1 Cor 13).<br />
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So, did that fix me? No. I am still a broken person that makes mistakes in the world around me. But I am a broken person that gets his strength from Christ. I am a broken person that follows the path that God has put me on. I am a broken person that is loved by the other broken people around me. I am a broken person that has the choice to love those around me too. The point is not that I will get "fixed" but that I will learn to lean on Christ for help in my life. No matter what I will face or go through in my life. My relationship with Christ has been growing by leaps and bounds these last several years--and it encourages me to seek to love those around me too.<br />
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Yes, that means that though I have faced times of poverty and have no idea where the money to pay bills will come from I still am loved by Christ. That means that though I have experienced brain cancer and the prospect of a drastically shortened life I am still loved by Christ. Though I struggle in my relationships to be present and worthwhile I am still loved by Christ. No matter where what choices I make in my life, I still have the love God gives to me. And it is through the love I experience from Christ that I can love others.<br />
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<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-10427175789219018292018-04-26T12:41:00.000-07:002018-04-26T12:41:54.436-07:00My Story... (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There is something that I love listening to: people's stories about themselves. My Grandpa Bob loves telling stories about things that happened in his past and I will sit there in rapture visualizing the various scenes that he shares. We all have stories. I have a story too! I thought that this week I'd share a part of my story (if I were to share the whole thing, we'd be here for quite a while... 😁).<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtR_c9uYku7WznDnlaPXa1r1FkC95QO0Z2RaN-Urb9QuwRgYXFX7hIXJWJNFpJAfa3I8oic-stlzclUmtXtBUfdUQ7j6_uchgi7msil1mNjb7LT-oyXbDne4x1TJWKJSblpVbDEQKejY/s1600/hallerlake1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtR_c9uYku7WznDnlaPXa1r1FkC95QO0Z2RaN-Urb9QuwRgYXFX7hIXJWJNFpJAfa3I8oic-stlzclUmtXtBUfdUQ7j6_uchgi7msil1mNjb7LT-oyXbDne4x1TJWKJSblpVbDEQKejY/s1600/hallerlake1.gif" /></a>I grew up with a single mother and one brother. We lived in a one bedroom house and my mom had to sleep in the living room to give us all the space we need. We went to church--often for both services Sunday morning. My brother and I did many things there. We were acolytes--cute young kids who lit the candles during the service; we went to Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and other events held at the church; we were at church during meetings that our mom went to; and for a while we just hung out when my mom did some janitorial work. I was baptized there and sung in the choir for kids. They held many concerts there too, which were a mix of fun and boring ones. It was at this church that I learned about going to church as part of religion. Something that we do without thinking much about what it means in our lives. </div>
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I had made surface relationships with people throughout the church but never learned that what we learned should really be applied to our personal lives. I knew God, but nothing about the Trinity. There was no real exploration of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the persons of God. I learned here how to best seem like I was a "good boy." It seemed that everyone thought that I was a good boy and treated me that way. I seemed to like that best. I could "know" people without really knowing them.</div>
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This was something that I learned to lean on as I grew up: I knew how to act like a good person but then could do whatever I wanted to on my own. I wasn't a bad person, but I definitely made some bad choices that ended up hitting me later in life. I'd lost my virginity and became addicted to pornography by the time I ended my freshman year at high school. I'd given up my religion and spent time studying Wicca through the beginning of my sophomore year.</div>
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Things changed for me in later high school as well: I met Jesus Christ and gave my life to him during my sophomore year. I'd been dumped by a girlfriend because she said she was looking for a Christian to be with and that made me question what it meant to someone to give up a great relationship (humble of me, right?) because of their beliefs in Christ. That led me to some of my friends and their youth group. Ultimately that led me to confess my belief in the fact that I was a sinner and needed the grace that Jesus provides to us through his crucifixion and the everlasting life provided through his resurrection.</div>
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My life opened up for me at this point. I had taken all the mess and uncomfortableness my life had become filled with at this point and gave it over to Jesus. I no longer needed to worry about being a "good boy" on the outside. I no longer needed to worry about the consequences of my actions. I had Jesus' forgiveness on my side. I had a new view on my life and what it could possibly become. I had started to find out more about the Trinity and what that might mean to me. I had received relief and help in my life. I knew that I had a God on my side that could and would help me to grow and change. It felt supremely freeing to me. I had begun to grow.</div>
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However, what I'd learned earlier in my life about looking like a "good boy" would still persist and come to make things look good in my life while I was still secretly dying too. But more on that next time! What I'd received here was a realization that there is a God in the world who loves us so much that he sacrificed his own life for us.</div>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-12209365679357767782018-04-12T13:07:00.000-07:002018-04-12T13:07:29.367-07:00Difficult Endings: Death. How do I follow God through this?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvnjKhBL9ExMXRKNPaRyVe3FK93uP287LHBViEugrdiSDYpsT3irz9MvgxwNtK05hK4h91qGB7BF2qnJioWMivLsDEOl0AJmKgdW3hdY-Nj5kLXznLBI8tyfCr2wCjqAnZvYPmjgMvFA/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="993" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvnjKhBL9ExMXRKNPaRyVe3FK93uP287LHBViEugrdiSDYpsT3irz9MvgxwNtK05hK4h91qGB7BF2qnJioWMivLsDEOl0AJmKgdW3hdY-Nj5kLXznLBI8tyfCr2wCjqAnZvYPmjgMvFA/s400/Grandma.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Grandma and Grandpa, years ago... :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you have anyone close to you? Do you have anyone close to you that is also close to leaving this world? Dying? I do. My grandmother. Mom's mom. Grandma. She has been struggling with cancer for the last several years but has now reached the point where medicine cannot help her anymore.<br />
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I visited her yesterday and shared some very precious time with her. She had been told a few days before by her oncologist that there was nothing left. That news was so crushing to her. Crushing for me too. My Grandma is only a little while from the eternal. I have been having a hard time normalizing that in my mind.<br />
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This woman is almost like a mother to me in my realm of people that I care about. She's been there when times had been tough for me. She's been a cheerleader for my best the whole way through. She constantly asks me questions about what I am doing and what I am planning on doing. Questions about how I think about this news story or that person in government. Questions about my favorite sports teams. She has promised me that if I ever needed physical help or finances that she and Grandpa would be there for me. I have been able to trust her to be a safe person to listen to me. And this wonderful woman is leaving now...<br />
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I have been thinking about my own needs coming up, and the needs of my family at home and my larger family. I have been thinking about my Grandpa and how he might react. The entire time I have been mulling over the future in my mind I have also been praying. My wife has been awesome too because she knows how important Grandma is to me and she has blessed me. But I have relied upon the strength that God gives me to make it through. Heavily. I cannot point to a scripture and say that "this Bible passage" helps me. I do think about what I read in II Corinthians 4:16 which says, "So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day." (NCV) Paul writes about how all of us wear down over time. Although I don't like that fact, I can trust it's true. But our minds are made new by Christ's graceful gift to us.<br />
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So what have I been doing? Something of everything to be honest. I feel the desire to hide, to share, to pray, to cry, to shout in anger, to expect the worst, and to tremblingly hope. She is still here and she still is my Grandma. All I can do otherwise is trust and have faith that God knows what He is doing and will bring her home before too long. Please pray for her and for those around her.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-92114559053643357342018-04-02T11:54:00.000-07:002018-04-02T11:56:44.509-07:00Sensational Easter Sunday!<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yjFjcYZFaPaRH1QTUUROfU5IiCGs0wu0OaGEplz9GWJyO00rs6lIFoU2jJdTJJzcahlL4Pb4d-vHjrXcMdN-vh5WmWd5tYKgQ7Pc9qZZOqcOH6i3g7YDavh6sdDCmKvHl12Ju5eCO2I/s1600/Jesus+empty+cross+Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yjFjcYZFaPaRH1QTUUROfU5IiCGs0wu0OaGEplz9GWJyO00rs6lIFoU2jJdTJJzcahlL4Pb4d-vHjrXcMdN-vh5WmWd5tYKgQ7Pc9qZZOqcOH6i3g7YDavh6sdDCmKvHl12Ju5eCO2I/s320/Jesus+empty+cross+Easter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
He is risen! He is risen indeed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp21JoVBt1ktXfNVp0vE4f7Tu0ucwM1esKGcBcP-DDgt4ffJJXSoWcFlW6v40U7aTF4syZ1Zsiv-bNQzhWOys5u2meAYEHgikcEw_495mL2TugnZHd7nIaxrJcOTQM_jJdd2KWAoMMME/s1600/Jesus+alive+leaving+tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="590" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpp21JoVBt1ktXfNVp0vE4f7Tu0ucwM1esKGcBcP-DDgt4ffJJXSoWcFlW6v40U7aTF4syZ1Zsiv-bNQzhWOys5u2meAYEHgikcEw_495mL2TugnZHd7nIaxrJcOTQM_jJdd2KWAoMMME/s320/Jesus+alive+leaving+tomb.jpg" width="320" /></a>Wow! I love Easter Sunday! Especially this last service that we had at my church. The pastors had worked really hard in preparing us these last several days. It started with a very experiential Good Friday service where we looked at and felt several parts of communion and Jesus's "last days." We left that night with no "promise" of an awesome Sunday. As far as we were left, Jesus was dead. Gone. Buried. Ended. I was able to leave that service feeling a little bit of what the disciples felt: a loss of a great teacher, mentor, <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE89MIePbyWlm3nXpE2Nh721LcHUwAstxPPeHVSMOzDfy9f-nG9bssmzD9x7We5wXx-RYpMkUaGm5CS-9FcUl8GwICF_B17sN0J03fb4Qh5CuBX1OGJ5KZeYnXr0sOQgMGiAHhLT_7bU/s1600/jesus+tomb+empty+Easter-Celebrates-the-Resurrection-of-Jesus-650x487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="650" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHE89MIePbyWlm3nXpE2Nh721LcHUwAstxPPeHVSMOzDfy9f-nG9bssmzD9x7We5wXx-RYpMkUaGm5CS-9FcUl8GwICF_B17sN0J03fb4Qh5CuBX1OGJ5KZeYnXr0sOQgMGiAHhLT_7bU/s320/jesus+tomb+empty+Easter-Celebrates-the-Resurrection-of-Jesus-650x487.jpg" width="320" /></a>and friend. I was able to think of what that must have been like for them, which is not something I had been able to really accomplish before.<br />
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Then we came in on Sunday morning and that service picked up where the Good Friday service ended. With a dead Jesus. But we continued the story through how those nearest to Jesus were able to pick up hope person by person. It was absolutely amazing to notice how Jesus went and visited with people personally and talked with them until they realized that Jesus was really<br />
alive and was talking to them. Not a big event, but lots of little ones that individually would have been absolutely spectacular!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mHmAp2KSwWS6x_3rWxYP3VJXkUaKL-c2Rw6IhtLvmBb3dB9iNEWGw2NITADyPZp6T8xGlevOGD-EanmYOnWp1AO6ctd8AFDY2PVOZMjdfzMn7bYffVY-nRwpN6H5crICmm-ShYDGHRU/s1600/jesus-silhouette-standing-on-hill-crest-with-sun-and-clouds-behind-him_vkzpsy4z__F0001.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mHmAp2KSwWS6x_3rWxYP3VJXkUaKL-c2Rw6IhtLvmBb3dB9iNEWGw2NITADyPZp6T8xGlevOGD-EanmYOnWp1AO6ctd8AFDY2PVOZMjdfzMn7bYffVY-nRwpN6H5crICmm-ShYDGHRU/s320/jesus-silhouette-standing-on-hill-crest-with-sun-and-clouds-behind-him_vkzpsy4z__F0001.png" width="320" /></a>That hit me right where I tend to hide. When I hide, I do my best to isolate myself, put up a shield of "no one passes," and wait until I come out and hope everything has gone away. I have been wrestling mightily with that character defect for a long time. I have to intentionally release myself from that so that I can function as a more healthy individual. So when I thought about the fact that Jesus came for all of us, I realized I was adding the fact that he came for<br />
me personally and individually as well. Same thing for you too!<br />
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So, the next time that I think that I can hide from other people and God I have something to connect with and think about. I was not created to be alone. Jesus died so that I wouldn't be alone. He gives me grace so that myself wouldn't be alone. He gives me his Love so that others wouldn't be alone either. What a sensational Sunday!<br />
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<blockquote>
14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert,[b] the Son of Man must also be lifted up. 15 So that everyone who believes can have eternal life in him.<br />
16 “God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. 17 God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. 18 People who believe in God’s Son are not judged guilty. Those who do not believe have already been judged guilty, because they have not believed in God’s one and only Son. (John 3:14-18 NCV)</blockquote>
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18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. 19 So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age. (Matthew 28:18-20 NCV)</blockquote>
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3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)</blockquote>
Amen!Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-71090362824824477082018-03-30T12:11:00.000-07:002018-03-30T12:11:04.636-07:00"Good" Friday???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So its Easter week this week. Yay! I love the part where Jesus comes out of the tomb and...wait! What is today? Good Friday. What happened on this day that we celebrate so much? Christ's death. How is the trial, humiliation, torture, and crucifixion of an innocent man to be considered, "good?" How can we look at the great sacrifice of God in His son, Jesus Christ, and call that horrible day good?<br />
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When I think about acts like that, thoughts about the terrorism and the degradation of humankind involved in this act, I feel empty and lost. Then, when I think that Christ <b><i>willingly </i></b>chose to do that for me I shudder and weep because of that cost. When in the garden of Gethsemane he asked God to choose something else for him. Yet at the end of his prayer, he affirms that God's way is the best way. Knowingly choosing an extremely painful death. Yet we call this act "good" on the Friday before Easter.<br />
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He endured an extremely painful torture session where they robed him as a "king" in jest and then beat him and whipped him. He was forced to carry his (extremely heavy) cross from that place up to the top of Golgatha, being mocked and whipped along the way. And he did this willingly! He could have stopped it at any time and choose instead to be rescued by angels, but instead, he sacrificed himself to this awful scenario and kept enduring it for a reason greater than himself. And yet we still call this act "good" on the Friday before Easter.<br />
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On the top of Golgotha (a name which means the place of the skulls), they nailed Jesus to the cross and lifted him up to hang there. The weight of his body would be pulling down on the nails in his hands and feet, suffocating him as time wore on. Yet he stayed there. Suffering. In tremendous pain. Dying. He was a man who had done no wrong in his entire life. He had lived a perfect life. He should have been honored, not crucified. Yet here he was, dying with guilty men. The real good man being punished with sinners. And we still call this day good.<br />
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It was on the cross that Jesus was finally able to cry out at the end of his life the words, "It is finished!" His life was at its end. His suffering on the Earth was finished. His work to pay the price for all the sins that everyone else committed was finished. He died shortly after saying those words. They took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. It was finished indeed. And yet today, Christians all over the world celebrate the work that Jesus had done and call today, "Good Friday." Why?<br />
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With Jesus's body lying in a tomb after having been tortured wrongly, he had paid the price for our sins. For our mistakes. I can hold on to freedom from all my sin because of his payment for me. I am free because Jesus died for me! You are free because Jesus died for you! We can live lives free from shame because Jesus had paid the ultimate price for us. And we did nothing to deserve it. The acts themselves were terrible, but we are free because of them. It is a very dark day, but for us, it is a good one. That is why today is Good Friday. Amen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;">3 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He was hated
and rejected by people.</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He had much pain and suffering.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">People would not even
look at him.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He was hated, and we didn’t even notice him.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="en-NCV-18614" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">But he took our suffering on
him</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">and felt our pain for us.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">We saw his suffering</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">and thought God was punishing him.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NCV-18615" style="box-sizing: border-box;">5 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">But he was
wounded for the wrong we did;</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">he was crushed for the evil we did.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">The punishment, which
made us well, was given to him,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">and we are healed because of his wounds.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NCV-18616" style="box-sizing: border-box;">6 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">We all have
wandered away like sheep;</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">each of us has gone his own way.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">But the <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"> has
put on him the punishment</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">for all the evil we have done.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="en-NCV-18617" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;">7 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He was beaten down and
punished,</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">but he didn’t say a word.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">He was like a lamb being
led to be killed.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He was quiet, as a sheep is quiet while its wool
is being cut;</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">he never opened his mouth.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NCV-18618" style="box-sizing: border-box;">8 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">Men took him
away roughly and unfairly.</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He died without children to continue his family.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">He was put to death;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">he was punished for the sins of my people.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NCV-18619" style="box-sizing: border-box;">9 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He was
buried with wicked men,</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">and he died with the rich.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">He had done nothing wrong,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">and he had never lied.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span id="en-NCV-18620" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">But it was the <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"> who decided</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">to crush him and make him suffer.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">The <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"> made his life a penalty offering,</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">but he will still see his
descendants and live a long life.</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">He will complete the things the <span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"> wants him
to do.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif; font-size: 9pt;"><span id="en-NCV-18621" style="box-sizing: border-box;">11 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">“After his
soul suffers many things,</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">he will see life and be satisfied.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span class="text"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">My good servant will make
many people right with God;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 5pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;">he will carry away their sins.</span></span> (Isaiah 53:3-11 NCV)</span></span><span style="font-family: "&quot", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-60013914235897809632018-03-29T11:07:00.000-07:002018-03-29T11:07:23.183-07:00Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLrwcoYGjs5Vf1iQicLLmPOB73RS1eWJJWGAtAym5nd5l0sRwqX7CL5fnFywY9dKsrrNmlsWxjMBx2MverHVb1Mq0vXymJKBlUB-yMrL96mPDlY-u2XWoFOmmU09YsI1hXUSToJ_Ufe0/s1600/Inspector_Gadget_Thinking.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="634" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLrwcoYGjs5Vf1iQicLLmPOB73RS1eWJJWGAtAym5nd5l0sRwqX7CL5fnFywY9dKsrrNmlsWxjMBx2MverHVb1Mq0vXymJKBlUB-yMrL96mPDlY-u2XWoFOmmU09YsI1hXUSToJ_Ufe0/s200/Inspector_Gadget_Thinking.png" width="121" /></a></div>
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Is Jesus <i>really </i>the <b>only </b>way to heaven? How would I know? What would convince me? What about the other explanations out there? There are a ton of explanations out there for how to get to heaven, and what that means to us.</div>
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This is something that humankind has thought about, argued for, and fought over since before we even were able to write. From the polytheism of the Ancient Egyptians to the monotheism of the Israelites, to the whatever you want from the New Age movement, to the "There is no God" non-theism of secular thinking. We are always asking the question of, "Where will we go in the future when we die?" Whether we think we are going to float over a river in the afterlife and have to "pay the boatman" or just cease to exist, we all believe something.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlkvWnoFGIVyqF8X2AdE6pdq6bvxeLRnauk3rCCP6Z7TAVFaxvWPH7j-r7sZ483B8rV-iZdKopnWx98zzGB0fnuyWSv6EYH4GADbkBKInLhpvpYHA9Po3n7SHv0rBpNIyweaK60ldk5s/s1600/Belief-RS-72-850w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="850" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlkvWnoFGIVyqF8X2AdE6pdq6bvxeLRnauk3rCCP6Z7TAVFaxvWPH7j-r7sZ483B8rV-iZdKopnWx98zzGB0fnuyWSv6EYH4GADbkBKInLhpvpYHA9Po3n7SHv0rBpNIyweaK60ldk5s/s200/Belief-RS-72-850w.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Wait, we all believe something? Yes, we do. But what if I say that, "I don't believe that there <i>is</i> a god, or that I am not sure? I don't believe in anything then, right?" No. The belief itself may not be a strong one, but whatever we would say is the answer is still a belief. Even if it is, "I don't know." And belief is something that we have faith in–and faith, in the end, is our own choice. We may have good reason to believe something, but at the end of the day, we still have to make a choice. Even if the choice is to be unsure and "not choose" an answer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawmtja4pdG5vk5qxRH4mYIxonePcRrEd2whJbVw2ntQ75rYPj3f3XNsD5F3hIXiXN2YGEoJajzqup8ycPPYsyVALBRbJG6-qtLXtXThA9-AXE0nXPL0DUbiUuSKbNa-p_t0L9iFKjWBs/s1600/Awesome+Jesus_25df75_653364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="750" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawmtja4pdG5vk5qxRH4mYIxonePcRrEd2whJbVw2ntQ75rYPj3f3XNsD5F3hIXiXN2YGEoJajzqup8ycPPYsyVALBRbJG6-qtLXtXThA9-AXE0nXPL0DUbiUuSKbNa-p_t0L9iFKjWBs/s200/Awesome+Jesus_25df75_653364.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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So, what do I believe? I believe that Jesus was real and that what he taught was true. Which then means that I believe in the scripture that presents Him, the Bible. Which means then that I believe the whole Bible is true. Which then means that I believe that God created the "everything" and that I follow Him. Which also means that I believe Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and came back to life, so that He could send us His Holy Spirit and that we could be with him in heaven.</div>
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But, is Jesus the <b><i>only</i></b> way to heaven?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKeA4Uz4B_rspI85dUZ_091Rh5JDxLJyg-N6YkOdvBkxI1xc5_lrSXnfHN6kBkTJptctxCks83zrRM0v3Gp8p4tyXdvFnc53EmQwqcbfQX7xUEXXa6_9L7UUW-hDCBLpwZUlG2QI2nAM/s1600/Two-paths-keep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="534" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKeA4Uz4B_rspI85dUZ_091Rh5JDxLJyg-N6YkOdvBkxI1xc5_lrSXnfHN6kBkTJptctxCks83zrRM0v3Gp8p4tyXdvFnc53EmQwqcbfQX7xUEXXa6_9L7UUW-hDCBLpwZUlG2QI2nAM/s200/Two-paths-keep.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Jesus, himself, had said that he is the only way to heaven. "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.'" (John 14:6 NCV)* Which I have heard many people state that if we believe Jesus is a trustworthy person, then we cannot just brush past what he said here. I know that there are people out there who might say otherwise, but if I believe in Jesus, then I need to accept what He told us. And others in the Bible agreed. I found that the apostle Peter in Acts 4:12 says, "Jesus is the only One who can save people. No one else in the world is able to save us." (NCV)* The apostle John has written many books of the Bible, including the above quote (John 14:6).</div>
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So that is what I believe, but do I have any stories confirming my beliefs? Yes, I do! There have been many times in my life that I have felt God's hand upon me and my family. There have been times where my family didn't have enough money to pay for food to eat or to keep the electricity on. Yet, just at the right time, some Christian had brought us hope and just enough to get by with. There have been multiple times where I truly believe that God saved me from death. I also have seen Him working in my children as they have been learning about faith and Jesus.</div>
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So what does that really mean? What am I saying when I believe in Jesus? The truth is that believing in Jesus is more than just saying a prayer and thinking, "Okay, got that one taken care of!" Believing in Jesus is actually developing a relationship with God. Through prayer, reading scripture, celebrating with a group of fellow Christians, and doing works in response to the love I've experienced from God. Does confessing my sin to Jesus and indicating a reliance on Him save me? Instantaneously! But also, I need to continue that relationship with Him. Just like getting married means that I have a wife. Just talking to her once per day or per week, (or longer...) and sharing my needs without listening to her just leads to a crappy self-centered relationship. Who would want to live long-term with someone like that? The same applies to our relationship with God.</div>
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This is not an "either-or" situation. It is a "both-and" situation. I need to pray for God's grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; AND declare my love for God through my actions in response to His love for me.</div>
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So, what do you believe and why?</div>
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Just remember that this coming Sunday is Easter... :-) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOTCrD_ogZgCYvjNHwoQFOUGjxFgC92K7Lw64G-Qsfrv1tknU1BFgxs5NG2Jkt6JcnGfLJgiilRI4XrXm7YXq0mioUzuy6jZSF6G-Gk5pnKAi-yZHb321RtFvdcfPjvb2vQVl2_jaq-c/s1600/gods-love-for-you-christ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="740" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOTCrD_ogZgCYvjNHwoQFOUGjxFgC92K7Lw64G-Qsfrv1tknU1BFgxs5NG2Jkt6JcnGfLJgiilRI4XrXm7YXq0mioUzuy6jZSF6G-Gk5pnKAi-yZHb321RtFvdcfPjvb2vQVl2_jaq-c/s640/gods-love-for-you-christ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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*Scriptures found in a similar post, <a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html">https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-only-way.html</a></div>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-49771498367712426712018-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:002018-03-20T13:36:55.455-07:00"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6y3Pz8jiIwkFfw20SOCbT2jOc_66Iwv4pHPlyCEv75QXTl_SuAdWprNRc88Qs76g45TiQzgzVxxMiUo5bUxj9i11t3KNhjmpiZXEzLfRez3tXBmDmsNXN6nRIABngrlABFz4EfO3q2Y/s1600/usualsuspects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="500" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6y3Pz8jiIwkFfw20SOCbT2jOc_66Iwv4pHPlyCEv75QXTl_SuAdWprNRc88Qs76g45TiQzgzVxxMiUo5bUxj9i11t3KNhjmpiZXEzLfRez3tXBmDmsNXN6nRIABngrlABFz4EfO3q2Y/s200/usualsuspects.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>The Usual Suspects (1995)</i> is a movie where the people who watched it, enjoyed it much more than the critics who rated it. It's a whodunit that eventually reveals itself to be something different. But the key line from this movie is "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR3TO_RH0qD3GqSeLKHHMrkWWkfg_zq2UP9_0YtA861EglXgInbhdTT4RmEmGAT0CzCa2oXs2K2cyqmK8gdd_oKZBHJ_pfdTiFWaUAUy54g68Y1MjjmT10f0teqqkPW6Zpm6p0zWAGf8/s1600/screwtapeletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="431" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR3TO_RH0qD3GqSeLKHHMrkWWkfg_zq2UP9_0YtA861EglXgInbhdTT4RmEmGAT0CzCa2oXs2K2cyqmK8gdd_oKZBHJ_pfdTiFWaUAUy54g68Y1MjjmT10f0teqqkPW6Zpm6p0zWAGf8/s200/screwtapeletter.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
Now putting the movie itself aside, this quote totally reminds me of C.S. Lewis and a book he wrote titled <u>The Screwtape Letters</u>. This book is a series of letters sent from an "Uncle devil" to his nephew and gives him tips on how to lure people away from God. At one point he said something very similar to his nephew, "Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves." And he talks about the difference between now and other times lamenting the difference.<br />
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So what about me? Do I believe there is "the devil" out there? Do I believe in a force that opposes God and works against him? Do I believe in demons and spirits that can infest a person, possess, or oppress them? In short, yes I do.<br />
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Do I think that the devil is a red fleshed character with a tail and horns that laughs at and screws with people from a fiery hole somewhere? Not really. But I have experienced his workings in people as I have prayed for them. I have felt his oppression in my own life. I have experienced troubles and pains during times when God is working well in the area around me. I have been distracted and caught up in meaningless squabbles during times when my focus needed to be with God. I have prayed for others to be released from possession and oppression in the name of Jesus Christ and watched as they were freed. I, myself, have been prayed for to receive protection from God.<br />
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So what do I do about it? I trust in the Lord that His power is more magnificent and powerful and eternal than those who oppose Him. I trust the Bible when it says that despite the current "battle" and where it is headed, God has already won the war. I know that if I need protection I have brothers and sisters in Christ that can and do pray for me. But I do not ignore the presence of those things that can pull me away from God.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
'Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen. ' (James 5:16 NCV)</blockquote>
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'I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.' (Philippians 4:13 NCV)</blockquote>
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'“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.”' (John 16:33 NCV)</blockquote>
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So, what about you? What do you believe and why is that? I have shared my experience but I would love to hear yours! For or against, I believe we all have something to say.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-87307309342393516512018-03-08T13:54:00.000-08:002018-03-08T13:54:52.423-08:00"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." -- Princess Leia Organa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX5xFq3-xb6iknf2yea4mRf2Pb08wqPhnmG3zZrsOqbbY2whmd-QQDkaswk7D_iayIrgUM77HZkNC7CQphjFoOvCwWbuxIbbZV2Y07_7eoUlhgKVaVv_fdxqR-FqjYMgrYO_t5lWhlXw/s1600/Help+Me+Obi+Leia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="498" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDX5xFq3-xb6iknf2yea4mRf2Pb08wqPhnmG3zZrsOqbbY2whmd-QQDkaswk7D_iayIrgUM77HZkNC7CQphjFoOvCwWbuxIbbZV2Y07_7eoUlhgKVaVv_fdxqR-FqjYMgrYO_t5lWhlXw/s640/Help+Me+Obi+Leia.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Do you recognize this? Probably. This is from a movie that I personally LOVE! Star Wars, Ep 4. Here Princess Leia is asking for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi for the situation of her planet and the revolution. It is found with the help of Luke Skywalker who seems to be pretty handy with droids.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgux5w1LSDJzyzRSm1r2ZV2PqTrCg4STQ7V6jNmTMF6k0nhuPwHuNM950esDaqBjOSRLqBHhN7MY8XIoBcWawWm90x85JVI7Red2cuHZmgwez19dYbZDMHu7SnW3zUj8oMzHtTfOAJZcr8/s1600/r2d2-shane-molina-r2d2-socialmedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1121" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgux5w1LSDJzyzRSm1r2ZV2PqTrCg4STQ7V6jNmTMF6k0nhuPwHuNM950esDaqBjOSRLqBHhN7MY8XIoBcWawWm90x85JVI7Red2cuHZmgwez19dYbZDMHu7SnW3zUj8oMzHtTfOAJZcr8/s200/r2d2-shane-molina-r2d2-socialmedia.jpg" width="140" /></a>Ever feel that you are facing a situation that doesn't seem to have any answer that you can provide? I know that I have. Ever feel that there is nothing that you could do to change the situation, but you do not like where you are headed and desperately want out? I have. Have you wished that you owned a nice little droid named R2-D2? I totally have. 😄 That little bot is so awesome and helps the team get out of so many different situations...<br />
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But I don't have a helpful R2-D2 rolling around my house. I have to face problems with that kind of help. I know that I used to be someone who would Google everything, look it up on YouTube, or find something in the library. In fact, I still think of those answers first. I have a personal thought system that makes me want to be "the man" and be the one with all of the answers. I tremendously struggle asking others for help. Which is fine if you are trying to build a new chair or paint a room. But imagine making mistakes with another person. You said something that was a lie, or misrepresented them, or talked about them behind their back. I have done all three of those, and more too. Now imagine facing that person who is asking you if that was true, and the only real answer you can give is, "Yes." Further, imagine seeing the hurt you have caused them running through their face and all you can think is, "I hurt that person, there is nothing I can do to heal that, and I suck." Been there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDaA2nf7H6e-iC3wWeU8rqUBiGPNpGHkvpFovU3SpLOZop0bYAs9AZyIye1U_K6qTZ_xHhMcAziDz_VHSF_6YJ5wLhEmKR6KCb7l5nBM5frCJhtEYstytGayRIWzJDCzoel157SEnKLs/s1600/icyandsot_friendship_vertical_gallery_2015_2_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="677" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDaA2nf7H6e-iC3wWeU8rqUBiGPNpGHkvpFovU3SpLOZop0bYAs9AZyIye1U_K6qTZ_xHhMcAziDz_VHSF_6YJ5wLhEmKR6KCb7l5nBM5frCJhtEYstytGayRIWzJDCzoel157SEnKLs/s200/icyandsot_friendship_vertical_gallery_2015_2_1024x1024.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
What do you need here? A friend that you can trust with deep, intimate ideas--like this conundrum. I have found that I cannot face life's challenges and pains without someone else. I can try on my own, and I sure have done that way too many times, but that usually ends up making the situation worse. The truth though is that I have been most successful when I went to a friend and explained what went on and how I thought and felt about the whole situation. It helps to have someone who loves you enough to hear your sins and still be there. I am not specifically referring to a spouse, but they should be that kind of person too. I am one who finds this kind of help difficult to find, but it is very much like Leia's cry out to Obi-Wan.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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'Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen. '<br />
James 5:16 (NCV)</blockquote>
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Do you have an Obi-Wan in your life? If not someone who can wield a light-saber, someone who can listen to you, love you and push back when they need to. Someone who knows you and shares themselves with you in return. Someone who will pray with you. Someone who is a great friend. If not, time to find an Obi-Wan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-Plh4pqXEYKeS00XycAAyvkRjvYn1cyKeUbt32Xe_lzfRqBpJp4WCMh7ZO1Mn50qRh4djyFiaGEPzKWsXTC3AxiduxCw1n84qNKXXmnTJw2OMDOp39tYFRNHOAO4sf5FxKNGn1iTe7U/s1600/ObiWanLukeSkywalker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-Plh4pqXEYKeS00XycAAyvkRjvYn1cyKeUbt32Xe_lzfRqBpJp4WCMh7ZO1Mn50qRh4djyFiaGEPzKWsXTC3AxiduxCw1n84qNKXXmnTJw2OMDOp39tYFRNHOAO4sf5FxKNGn1iTe7U/s640/ObiWanLukeSkywalker.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-11958057353837386582018-03-01T11:26:00.002-08:002018-03-01T11:32:35.348-08:00"Open the pod bay doors, please, HAL."<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDZTcxDGAUqRogvuYefDwhzCI6PhkEy9EvI7haXRBLywoSSFqqaq5MhdGueZdG6bhbGA5EU8AFtunT9N7Petdw_2Gip0YBr8z5Mpp2UG3p4BsNVrU1gBRmU6t-K6IuNiJSP641Zc1zvs/s1600/2001+Space+Odessey+Dave+Bowman.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1280" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDZTcxDGAUqRogvuYefDwhzCI6PhkEy9EvI7haXRBLywoSSFqqaq5MhdGueZdG6bhbGA5EU8AFtunT9N7Petdw_2Gip0YBr8z5Mpp2UG3p4BsNVrU1gBRmU6t-K6IuNiJSP641Zc1zvs/s320/2001+Space+Odessey+Dave+Bowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave Bowman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAL</td></tr>
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Ever have one of those moments when it seems like everything and everyone are against you? One of those times when it feels like there is someone out there making things happen and that they might be watching you... Well in the movie <u>2001: A Space Odyssey</u> the character Dave Bowman was in that particular setting and didn't find that out until he was floating outside the spaceship, locked out by his defective AI computer. He starts by requesting, "Open the pod bay doors, please, HAL." Which is then followed by HAL's response of, "I'm sorry Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."<br />
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I know what it feels like to be in that place. Well, not in the "locked out of a spaceship, floating in space, and need to knock out a defective AI" place exactly. I have been in that place where you feel like your options are zero and you wonder what else could go wrong. So what do you do at this point?<br />
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You could do any number of things:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Find a corner and hide there.</li>
<li>Create a racket and let everyone else know of your problems and things you can't do.</li>
<li>Belittle those around you and make yourself feel better.</li>
<li>Put on your steely gaze and pretend that there is no problem.</li>
<li>Jump out of your spaceship with no helmet on (example from <u>2001...</u>)</li>
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Actually, I would personally recommend none of the above. What we need to do at this point is to surrender ourselves and our problems to God. We need to be within His embrace as we move forward. I have found that often the answer is not so much <i>what </i>do we do, but <b>who</b> do we cling to? There is such a warmth and peace present in God's presence. There is a feeling that no matter what happens next, I am being watched over by the Father, in the grace of the Son, and will go forward through the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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This isn't a form of hiding or fighting. It is a recognition that whatever will come next, will need to be faced in the arms of God. Whether God moves me to hide, fight, flee, or dance and praise His name I need His power to do that. I can (and have, far too frequently) tried to step out on my own. The phrase, "I got this..." ran through my mind each time. What goes through <i>your</i> mind when you are in this situation? How often has it ended out worse than better? For me, it ended in greater pain and trouble than I started with. But is changed when I accepted that I need God in everything. Everything. What about you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NCV)</blockquote>
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“I know that you can do all things and that no plan of yours can be ruined." Job 42:2 (NCV)</blockquote>
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He prayed, “Abba, Father! You can do all things. Take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” Mark 14:36 (NCV)</blockquote>
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<i>"God, I am here today and I need you. Come to my side right now and let me know that you are here. Be with me and share your voice and peace as I wonder and fear and hurt and want to lash out. I don't know what to do, but you do. Please help me to do what I should and not what feels comfortable to me. I rely on you, utterly and ultimately. Amen."</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-38003891796709389332018-02-08T12:43:00.003-08:002018-03-01T11:32:25.007-08:00"Show me the money!"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvsALL4Jsw" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="707" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdHR6aCfcGnPZeVztqOPQg7u5rP7ikCUWXxCBh8GYF2JeriIwphYB5OlwOMa416JZqea7ZUe-25HfXiI6DuIjEE8X7Em97HH1pPVU99f5EdnjFVapBNpTrAIHSEuiz2cZOMis4pl1KlI/s640/Show+Me+The+Money+Jerry+Maguire.PNG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvsALL4Jsw" target="_blank">"SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!" -- Jerry Maguire</a></td></tr>
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How many people remember this movie? The above picture is from a phone conversation he had between himself and Rod Tidwell. (Click the link above to see the movie clip) Here he is asking Rod to stay his client, where eventually Rod asks him to say "Show me the money" and has him repeat it until he is shouting it in his office--with co-workers watching his bizarre antics. What I have asked myself is how much money would it take to get <i>me</i> to do something like <i>that</i>? First, answer the question for yourself...</div>
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For me, I think that the lower limit would be about $20. What was yours? Jerry was facing losing part of his income if Rod left his firm and went to someone else for contracts and public representation. I'm not surprised he did all of that--though it is quite a humorous scene. 😁</div>
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Putting aside Jerry and all of his issues, I then asked myself, "What does God think of all of this money stuff we have in our lives?" I mean that I just filed my taxes and needed all of the required paperwork in order to do that. Recently, my wife and I opened savings account for our kids and that took a looooooong time. Every month we go over our budget and make sure that we didn't overspend it. Two summers ago we bought our first house. And all of these things are part of how we spend the money that we've earned--and to avoid going into debt.</div>
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Years ago, my wife and I decided to get together and learn how to handle debt and money according to how God would want us to do that. I know that I had wracked up almost $7k on a credit card, and wanted to be out of that way of acting. My wife wanted us to be on the same page for what we spent and creating a budget. We found an amazing program called "Financial Peace University" that was hosted by Dave Ramsey. Before a couple years had passed we had eliminated all of our debt except student loans and were starting to build a legacy.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“We buy things we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't like.” ― Dave Ramsey</blockquote>
This quote reminds me of the Bible verse Psalms 22:7 "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." People we love don't really care about the things we own. If I have a solid roof over my head, food to eat, and some money to tithe then I have enough. But far too often we get to a place where we worry about having the "next" or the "better" thing. *Cough!* iPhones?<br />
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“Act your wage.” ― Dave Ramsey </blockquote>
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What does this mean? Have I been trained to buy more than I have money for, to go the extra mile (with debt), and compete with my neighbors? Yes. People working for financial solution businesses out there are trying to make money. This brings to mind the idea of "contentment" with where I am and what I have. 1 Timothy 6:6 says, "But godliness with contentment is great gain." and the following verses talk about how those who aren't content and allow money drive their wagon and fall into ruin and death. Being content means knowing what I <i>can </i>and what I <i>can not </i>spend my money on, and what I need to <i>have in place </i>in order to spend <i>anything</i>--and be perfectly okay with that.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Pray like it all depends on God, but work like it all depends on you.” ― Dave Ramsey</blockquote>
What makes this plan work for me is understanding two things: 1) Everything I have comes from God, and He gives me the strength and ability to do them 2) I have to go and do my best because participation in the relationship is key. I don't just want to get by, I want to leave something for my grandkids to enjoy! Proverbs 12:22 says, "A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous."<br />
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“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. HELEN KELLER” ― Quoted by Dave Ramsey </blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EN3iMhQFxfD-_Ui9EerRYy2hj6VOJci_Z618CYy_49NeajJtQav5pUDANaC6MISVFuJpiWDynyJROqIJcoRAB-zq8DEsxSyAxGJcLawvl4hBwp9tjUZiqe-XwkiX1k-VsiJqZ_TRd7A/s1600/Helen_Keller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EN3iMhQFxfD-_Ui9EerRYy2hj6VOJci_Z618CYy_49NeajJtQav5pUDANaC6MISVFuJpiWDynyJROqIJcoRAB-zq8DEsxSyAxGJcLawvl4hBwp9tjUZiqe-XwkiX1k-VsiJqZ_TRd7A/s200/Helen_Keller.jpg" width="160" /></a>This last quote contains important information for me personally: money management is part of my character, and that "character things" are often difficult and filled with issues. I have yet to encounter something that caused me to grow that didn't involve trouble. Either I take a view that is not "normal" or there is some other obstacle in my way. But! Continuing to pursue God's way <i>always </i>has paid out dividends in the end, though there are often times when I cannot see the way.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>All of the above quotes and information on handling money come from Financial Peace University and the website <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/">www.daveramsey.com</a></i></blockquote>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-24138143905913505612018-02-05T13:52:00.000-08:002018-02-05T13:52:57.689-08:00"Houston, we've had a problem..."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How many people can hear those words said aloud when we the read "Houston, we have a problem."? I know that I do. I can still see Tom Hanks' face as he says those words playing the role of James Lowell in the movie "Apollo 13." People a little more mature than I am might even remember Jack Swigert saying similar words (repeated by Lowell) on the real flight of Apollo 13. So, why am I thinking about these today? The movie happened in 1995 and the real Apollo 13 happened in 1970. What I have been thinking about is that these words are true for all of us. <br />
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All of us at some point in our lives have just thrown up our hands and say those special words, "I have a problem." Yes, we all have, every single one of us. What we wish though is to be able to call some sort of helpline and get things sorted out. At least I have. However, that is something that I have come to see as something I don't want.<br />
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Now you must be thinking to yourself, "Why? Why wouldn't he want a way out of trouble?" The truth is that I do want a way out. But I have found that God has allowed me into trouble for two reasons. One -- so that I learn to reach out and ask Him and those around me for help. Two -- for His glory, so that I can show his glory and majesty to those around me and so He can teach me how to lean in on <i>Him</i>. <br />
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The first reason has been a big part of my spiritual growth recently. I used to be the kind of person who would always (and I mean ALWAYS) believed that I could take anything on and handle it myself. I viewed myself as a jack-of-all-trades, as a renaissance man, and as a person that if I didn't know it now, I would in like 30 seconds. Truth is that I feared to reach out to another person and admit that I could NOT do something. So I never did. And that's part of why I made choices that led me down a dark path. Yet God did not create us to live lives alone, without other people. In fact, the definition of love includes being able to do something for someone else and being loved means that you let others do things for you. But after hitting the bottom of isolating myself I soon found out how important it is to live <i>with</i> other people--in ALL the areas of my life.<br />
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The second reason has been a more difficult thing for me to handle and accept. I totally get the idea of asking God for help so that I can get out of a difficult situation. But what if the answer God gives me is, "Wait."? I have received that answer far too often for my comfort. What if the answer means that I will have to lose something--or someone? What if the answer is that by my pain and suffering means someone else finds healing in God? The truth I have seen is that we will always encounter trouble. We need it to grow. We encounter it because of our bad choices. It is inflicted upon us by people who harbor hate in their hearts. Sometimes I have found trouble entering into my life <i>because</i> I have been doing great in my faith in Jesus.<br />
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'The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.' 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NCV)</blockquote>
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This piece of scripture tells me that temptation and suffering is common to us all. The exact way it troubles us may differ. It also assures me that God provides a way out of it for all of us.<br />
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'We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” That Scripture says “anyone” because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him, as the Scripture says, “Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.”' Romans 10:10-13 (NCV)</blockquote>
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I have found that the word "saved" can mean several different things. It can mean having everything as I want it. But it can also mean being saved from danger in ways I couldn't have ever imagined. In fact, it always seems to come up more like the latter. How I get saved also changes from time to time. But the one thing that I have found through this is the fact that God's overwhelming power, enwrapping love, and all-knowing mind cares for me (and you!) and desires that in all things I seek Him, talk to Him, and be with Him. So even if I am in a "Houston, I have a problem" situation I know that He will get me through and that my value is based on that rather than on what I can or can't do.<br />
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<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-53607891909100756762018-01-23T13:49:00.001-08:002018-01-23T13:49:33.138-08:00Wandering Wondering While Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everything changes over time...well almost everything. God--Father, Son, Holy Spirit--does not change, ever. He is all powerful and all knowing and does not change. But everything around Him does. Sometimes I wonder what that might be like, but then it overwhelms my mind and I just can't envision it. For me though, things change and never the way I expect them to. Kids grow differently than I think they will. People react differently than I expect to the things that I say. Phenomenal changes occur and mess everything up. Positively or negatively I get stopped often by changes in the world around me.</div>
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So how do I adapt to change then? How do I understand what is coming and what to do when it comes? The problem lies in the fact that change cannot be predicted conveniently. There is always something out there that is unknown and will have an effect on how things will go. Ultimately I am left in the now, this moment, and have to see what is brought into my life. So how do I do that?</div>
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I can prepare the best I can. I can search online and google for the answers. I can talk to neighbors and professionals galore. I can prepare until I am wound up tight and expecting things to change for the worst at any moment. But, there is a way that I have been learning to follow instead. I follow God's word in my life.</div>
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'For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.' Romans 10:12-17 (NIV)</blockquote>
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And I get all of that: the God who created everything sent Jesus to fix everything so that there is no class distinction between us and all of us can receive salvation because he offers it to us and we have faith because he gave us that as well. Sometimes I feel like one of the believers and sometimes I feel like one of those that didn't accept it. But how does that help me hear God's word for me in my own life? The truth is that it does and it doesn't. What makes a difference is the fact that it is not <i>just </i>knowing about what Christ did for us, but having a relationship <i style="font-weight: bold;">with</i> Him. "Relationship" is different than just knowing. It is in my relationship with Him that sometimes I can hear his voice for me.<br />
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Sometimes? Yes, sometimes. I have found that I personally don't know everything that another person wants or knows. Even asking them doesn't solve that. What is the solution? Sadly there is none. Things take time from my perspective and often that time was intended to make me ready for the change. What is important is not what I am going through or where I am at the time. What is important for me is knowing that regardless of the consequences of the situation, Jesus Christ is with me. I have but to relax from my anxiety and sense of control and just trust in Him. An easy thing to do? Nope. But worth it.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-39929541042335494852018-01-16T13:17:00.001-08:002018-01-16T13:17:08.586-08:00I said no, but they said yes 100 times... 🎎 🖌 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this video. It inspires jokes and cracks at home about things that we don't want to do or things that our kids are whining about doing. I found this first in a Facebook post, which I followed to its place on YouTube. Today I found <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/girl-explains-painted-barbie-nail-polish-adorable-video/story?id=34473695" target="_blank">this article</a> about it. Basically, though, the video is her explaining the "Why?" question by blaming it on her doll. Very cute!<br />
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The funny part of the situation is that we all do this ourselves. Our issues may not be an improper use of nail polish. But we are all good at making excuses for them and ignoring the consequences. I did a little search to find out how often certain things happen to be discussed in the Bible.<br />
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Kill<o:p></o:p></div>
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1083<o:p></o:p></div>
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Money<o:p></o:p></div>
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249<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sex<o:p></o:p></div>
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212<o:p></o:p></div>
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134<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other Gods<o:p></o:p></div>
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84<o:p></o:p></div>
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Drunk<o:p></o:p></div>
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70<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lying<o:p></o:p></div>
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70<o:p></o:p></div>
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Greed<o:p></o:p></div>
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21<o:p></o:p></div>
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13<o:p></o:p></div>
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11<o:p></o:p></div>
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But my question now is, how often do I think of these things? How often do I encounter them in my own life? Do I really think about really killing people? Or fear being killed? Rarely, if ever. But I am reminded of the scripture found in Matthew 5:21-22, where it talks about how anger harbored towards someone, is the same as murder. I have frequently been angry at other people. Or what about other things? Do I worry about or am concerned about money? Yes! I may not go out thinking about how I could rob banks, but I find myself jealous of some of the things that others have. All the things on the above list I have to say at one time or another I was guilty of to some degree. </div>
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I hate lists of things I am not supposed to do. So I have redefined them in my mind:</div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqeQNLySX9QwwOZzzhFnJ7shrp4V9XsEPzbzIietKMUgpB6SfWbrvlq8Zn55bLvETHANxvT-FqW-1ODXvwSzZCtptinBzuUsyuFbMEcUVISrwZ7kVUegU-njt3C26KzgnH7S2Mvn3G-M/s1600/checklist-512.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqeQNLySX9QwwOZzzhFnJ7shrp4V9XsEPzbzIietKMUgpB6SfWbrvlq8Zn55bLvETHANxvT-FqW-1ODXvwSzZCtptinBzuUsyuFbMEcUVISrwZ7kVUegU-njt3C26KzgnH7S2Mvn3G-M/s200/checklist-512.png" width="200" /></a>
<li>Kill = Support and encourage life and growth which God has designed (i.e., everything!)</li>
<li>Money = Be good with what God has given me and treat it like I am just a caretaker. When I see a need, then I get the opportunity to go and meet it if I am able to.</li>
<li>Sex = Honor the gifts God has given to others, guard what he has given me and leave the gifts of others alone.</li>
<li>Sabbath = Honor God with rest. Even He rested after creating everything. I need to follow His lead and do the same.</li>
<li>Other Gods = God is first and foremost in our world. He created everything, including me! And He loves me. Looking elsewhere for inspiration, love, and hope would be like me plugging my laptop into a pile of dirt and expect it to work.</li>
</ul>
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I could go on, but you see that I needed to re-understand what God has for me. The point for me is to not walk around saying "no" to everything. But see God's handiwork and learn what He says yes to. If I look around the world around me I can say that God has said "yes" in so many different ways and so many different places that He overshadows what else might be trying to attract my attention. I just need to choose to listen.</div>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-14531347156817628412018-01-04T14:05:00.001-08:002018-01-04T14:05:07.579-08:00Ruined *sick!* Vacations!?!? 😰<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_BQxb3FAvx0pypVAraEPoSCdto_druQdgQe56TPLa-6YZqocso7vPNYp8iEiwhb809vcoIvxNWPfCG16DvaUtXJxZzOwHvjEKvIDIoAqufujIXLSL7YxWpu8KcJztbJ7OtKYy8b4DUg/s1600/office+space+vacation+cancelled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="500" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_BQxb3FAvx0pypVAraEPoSCdto_druQdgQe56TPLa-6YZqocso7vPNYp8iEiwhb809vcoIvxNWPfCG16DvaUtXJxZzOwHvjEKvIDIoAqufujIXLSL7YxWpu8KcJztbJ7OtKYy8b4DUg/s200/office+space+vacation+cancelled.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Have you ever planned a vacation and then had it spoiled by someone getting sick? I know that I have! In fact this last Winter Break we had some free time that we were hoping to use productively around town. However...my wife and I both got pretty sick. Like five minutes up, and then back to bed for a couple hours more. Yikes!<br />
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There was the "at least we got sick on vacation and didn't have to call in sick" line that we mentioned every now and then to each other. But what am I supposed to do when I have other plans but then find myself in a place where I cannot participate? Ideally, do what I can do and do my best to make myself better. If I can help others I will do that, but I need to ultimately be better to serve better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c7dPHbb98VHw18UFGE2gz-inuBj9Wx_Zi-H-hkRYEvEYAFplPCPIXJ1RSY4xoUlyCwdTGRrSj1d62Ftb0laojfYsiDxIfS2fuXIHihp_qHrfZyqw7YZ5KMTqYe42-Af6EELS2P3EykQ/s1600/sin-bondage-630x331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="630" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c7dPHbb98VHw18UFGE2gz-inuBj9Wx_Zi-H-hkRYEvEYAFplPCPIXJ1RSY4xoUlyCwdTGRrSj1d62Ftb0laojfYsiDxIfS2fuXIHihp_qHrfZyqw7YZ5KMTqYe42-Af6EELS2P3EykQ/s200/sin-bondage-630x331.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Have I ever experienced something similar to this in my personal faith? ABSOLUTELY! There have been many times throughout my life where I didn't get it and I chose to do things that were contrary to God's will for my life. Some of those were either because I didn't realize what I was doing, or I wasn't in a relationship with Jesus Christ. But there have been more times of spiritual sickness that I have experienced because of things I have chosen to do--since becoming a Christian.<br />
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I could create a long laundry list of things that I had done, ways that I found to sin. But the point for me is that when I stop having good, solid relationships with other people in addition to my relationship with Jesus is the time when I am most apt to choose self-enjoyment, to choose sin in order to make myself feel "better."<br />
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During these times I have regretted my choices and then prayed to God, "Please forgive my sins and help me change, amen." But I had not confessed these mistakes to another human being.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen." James 5:16 (NCV)</blockquote>
It is in having these other relationships with that we truly get to express what God has already given to us: love. I can be forgiven, but if I have not loved others, then I have never shared what Christ has done for me. When I get into a place where I feel sick and am hurting spiritually then I need to find people to share with. Open and honestly. My only caution for myself when doing this is to make sure I am sharing deeply only with trusted people. I know I can share past pain with others, without really worrying about their trustworthiness. But when I am struggling, sick, emotionally unsure, then I need guys around me that I trust and can share with. How am I doing with that? I have a couple friends that I can share with, but I need more to be truly open and honest on a regular basis.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU1FV_LSbBj3Lah3jt-8wPjH5kta2SXzRqJI0aHXWqpWkJJVIDkkrh-1srmghbKq-rzeSDdqp3RCuGfYjIVevp9ccCKutbr7b8-CpEhYMkjhWJ8Wgo4pu-mVMtgzGcutEEJXW3lI20Jc/s1600/brothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="800" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU1FV_LSbBj3Lah3jt-8wPjH5kta2SXzRqJI0aHXWqpWkJJVIDkkrh-1srmghbKq-rzeSDdqp3RCuGfYjIVevp9ccCKutbr7b8-CpEhYMkjhWJ8Wgo4pu-mVMtgzGcutEEJXW3lI20Jc/s200/brothers.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
God be with us and help us make good friends.Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-49172505333739666502017-12-21T15:13:00.005-08:002017-12-21T15:13:59.821-08:00Too much honesty?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72TVRei2FvsVVhBx8whN7nX1_fKipsosTj7zvqQbttYt6ue9UsMVJ1JEVnZ0m-ccZcMt_MnZoEMktm7w3WH_P87GHHlVv5pHMF7hhyphenhyphenOwIjdFMg1hq33ye4W-AXskMoevQUo3N_R3-LOA/s1600/HonestyPic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="323" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72TVRei2FvsVVhBx8whN7nX1_fKipsosTj7zvqQbttYt6ue9UsMVJ1JEVnZ0m-ccZcMt_MnZoEMktm7w3WH_P87GHHlVv5pHMF7hhyphenhyphenOwIjdFMg1hq33ye4W-AXskMoevQUo3N_R3-LOA/s640/HonestyPic.png" width="171" /></a></div>
How honest do we have to be, really?<br />
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Last night in the car my wife and I were talking about how easy it would be to permanently ruin a person's reputation these days. How many news stories have we heard recently where a woman accuses a man (correctly or not) of sexually assaulting her? Even if he proves himself clear, he'll never rid himself of that accusation. Yikes! As a father of a son, I worry about possible future ramifications for him. What if some girl tries to accuse him wrongfully? He'll always have that taint about him. However, as a father of daughters, I would want to be able to crush anyone that mistreated one of them in the wrong way. Such a knife's edge we have to tread these days!<br />
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It wouldn't be an issue if we could just trust what people have to say these days. If we lived in a culture where no one lied then that wouldn't be something to worry about. But I guess it would be fair to say the same about the other things we struggle with. I know that I personally have lied before. I cannot say, "I will never lie again" either.<br />
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How do we lie? We can outright lie. We can tell "white lies." We can shift people's attention away from the truth. We say everything except that one part that would be a lie and stop there. We can share nothing at all. We can make excuses for what we did. We can be downright crooked in everything that we say, or even just a little false once in a while. But either way, I know that I am still a lier. <br />
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Does it really matter if we lie to people? They don't really have an eternal impact on my life, do they? But they do. I have become really convinced in the last couple of years with how important relationships with others is. How I treat the world around me affects what my kids will have to deal with when they are adults. How I treat the people I interact with affects how they feel about me and my effect on my family, my friends, and the world. How I treat myself forms what I even think is truth and where I am really at in life. (I know that I can lie even to myself!) I can pray to God and lie there, but regardless of what my mouth says He knows the truth even better than I do.<br />
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So what do I do? I know that I have lied in my past. I know that even today I don't have a 100% accurate picture of where I really am at. I know that I will lie in the future. But the Bible speaks against lying. It's even one of the Ten Commandments!<br />
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Luckily, I have continued to read through the Bible, not just ending there. Paul writes to the Romans the following:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" /></a></div>
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“21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:21-25a, NIV)</blockquote>
Jesus Christ has done what the rest of us are not able to do: He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross so that I would have my sins paid for with His sacrifice. He then rose from the dead so that I could instead have a relationship with him and live an abundant life! So regardless of what I have done in my life, regardless of what I fail to do today, and regardless of how I sin in the future, I know that His love and grace cover me! His love then moves me to seek to be honest in my life, but I don't have to worry about failing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VJtCwrXo4Ppbkez9i2SPfj8uhctdUALhp_fuKe9bewpMwknrcBz_x1sI0sOzwqX0KRiLeuAcksa-m6IphWhRSxCAMGYlsTLXowXLy8DaWj8jYhK1Q4dJxy7MII-3jT6RoWnJdwfouZA/s1600/slackliner+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1189" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VJtCwrXo4Ppbkez9i2SPfj8uhctdUALhp_fuKe9bewpMwknrcBz_x1sI0sOzwqX0KRiLeuAcksa-m6IphWhRSxCAMGYlsTLXowXLy8DaWj8jYhK1Q4dJxy7MII-3jT6RoWnJdwfouZA/s400/slackliner+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let me use a circus example. Honesty often feels like doing the high wire in a circus show. I can fall off of the high wire stretched above and I know that God will save me. He asks me to climb back up and try again, but he is the safety net that keeps me from death. He is the trainer that offers words of encouragement and correction. He is the roaring group of spectators that encourages me and celebrates when I succeed and moans when I fail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknMGDKs2HHKzcOjgfl64qOSIqutevHOCAehlfAsxwVja43nrleNCYju_BlF7i-19ceASf-WhrA1W6RFvfXZ81o3HkK0zUyfu2hlT5oZF1CD3FDjhFkLGKW78t4W8ukf-7__FT5at5Lwg/s1600/keep-it-real.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknMGDKs2HHKzcOjgfl64qOSIqutevHOCAehlfAsxwVja43nrleNCYju_BlF7i-19ceASf-WhrA1W6RFvfXZ81o3HkK0zUyfu2hlT5oZF1CD3FDjhFkLGKW78t4W8ukf-7__FT5at5Lwg/s320/keep-it-real.jpg" width="320" /></a>The answer to lying? God very much does not want me to lie. He desires my honesty in all things at all times. But he has also recognized that we are very self-centered most of the time. He has taken care of the consequences as we build our relationship with Him. I try to not lie in any amount. But I still do. God knows because he knows everything--and because in my spiritual life I confess to him (and a mentor) what I do. I find it so much better to not be perfect but to be real. Be real too.<br />
<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-65856350957433445762017-12-12T14:05:00.000-08:002017-12-12T14:05:30.598-08:00Frustration!!! What point is there anyway?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever feel frustrated? I know that <u><b><i>I</i></b></u> do all the time! It can be something humongous and complicated or tiny and small. I have experienced a range of frustrations through my life. How close that guy was when he cut in front of me in traffic this morning (like just missed my bumper!). The tone of my wife's voice when she's relating something to me. Being told that as I continue to grow older my body will be performing less and less as well than it used to--and there is nothing that I can do about that. Things can really frustrate me, sometimes even to the point where it stops me from progressing onward.<br />
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So what am I feeling when I am frustrated? I have been somewhat surprised to note that I feel many<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhIZh-gR3Bh8pQ99oVfbHpcZFP-lSgpriE31MRCdcSDKjdqGkgIaPIrg2UyfUxA0YoPjgsNLMNlu5qjnt2osmHCaPNiSQRLj9Iam_GXvb1GL3B66uTDsQiVZ622rNA2xWORanwRdeBJM/s1600/smash-laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhIZh-gR3Bh8pQ99oVfbHpcZFP-lSgpriE31MRCdcSDKjdqGkgIaPIrg2UyfUxA0YoPjgsNLMNlu5qjnt2osmHCaPNiSQRLj9Iam_GXvb1GL3B66uTDsQiVZ622rNA2xWORanwRdeBJM/s200/smash-laptop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes, right???</td></tr>
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different feelings when I am frustrated. I expected frustration to be some form of anger set on a low simmering heat, kind of like the sidewalks in Arizona in the summertime. But that's not all there is to frustration. There can be an air of melancholy desperation that causes me to be sad and want to just quit. There can be the feeling of sinking in quicksand and being stuck, unable to get yourself out. Frustration rears its ugly head when you are at a point where you cannot see a possibility of changing the situation that you're in.<br />
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So how have I learned to deal with frustration? I <i>used </i>to push all my feelings away and just try to disappear from the situation. I <i>used</i> to try to control the situation, and the people, and how everyone felt about what was going on. Even still today I still find myself trying to react like I used to: either disappear or use others. But I have found a different path that I wanted to explore.<br />
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What I have found to be my most effective antidote to the clinging cancer of frustration is to know that there is actually a way out. Whether it would come from me, another person, or God Himself; I need to know that there is a solution. But how do I come to that knowledge? It sure isn't easy--I definitely had found that I floundered in frustration's continuous grasp way too often. When I am frustrated I often get too emotional to hear the truth or make changes in my behavior. But the truth is what I need to have in my hands in order to break that grasp.<br />
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Here's what I have found helpful to find the truth in my situations in life:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Ask myself what I am feeling right at that moment. Then I explore why I am feeling that way.</li>
<li>Ask myself what I am thinking. Does that match my feelings?</li>
<li>Look for truth in my feelings and <u>accept</u> them. Then let go of the things that aren't true.</li>
<li>Look for ways that I can follow in order to relieve myself of my frustration.</li>
<ol>
<li>Sometimes I need to actually do something and not just sit there thinking about my frustration. Am I afraid or angry? Hungry or tired? Lonely? Do I just need to stand up and do my part?</li>
<li>Sometimes I need to ask someone else to help me. This is probably the hardest thing for me to do, personally. It can add frustration upon frustration if I am not careful.</li>
<li>Finally, there are times where there is nothing that I can do, nothing that other people can do, only God can find an answer or solution for me. This is not a form of giving up, it is ultimately surrendering everything to God and trusting in him.</li>
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I have found these verses helpful when I am at the place where trusting God is what I need to do, what I am called to, what I must do:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
33 “I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.” John 16:33 (NCV)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NCV)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
11 "I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!" Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NCV)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2 My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, 3 because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. 4 Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. 5 But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. James 1:2-5 (NCV)</blockquote>
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I have found peace in these Bible passages when I read through them. And there are more! The Bible has many passages that teach us how to accept where we are and then move forward. Often though I have found that the only thing I need to move is myself--trusting in myself never works as well as trusting God.</div>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-13981566075308084602017-12-07T12:50:00.001-08:002017-12-11T13:09:20.588-08:00Psalm 51: Responsibility and God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4naXLL5E5SxyF1S2tHHoDTs6wCLlfiDPhROBhvysBaGgDpHUiZYrFPG3HnUD_qgeyCyI0i__6Fi2ti9fQIhbVr_MhkgbSCq-YGxun8fZ_1CJDN5u14BQnp2npn-BVqOEyp8L5rgAQXnU/s1600/Bad_Day_by_Anowia_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="530" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4naXLL5E5SxyF1S2tHHoDTs6wCLlfiDPhROBhvysBaGgDpHUiZYrFPG3HnUD_qgeyCyI0i__6Fi2ti9fQIhbVr_MhkgbSCq-YGxun8fZ_1CJDN5u14BQnp2npn-BVqOEyp8L5rgAQXnU/s320/Bad_Day_by_Anowia_2.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
Have you ever had a bad day? Not just a, "Got up on the wrong side of the bed," kind of day but one that truly sucks? I know I have--many times. Some have been health-related, out of my control, days. Like the day I ended up rolling over in a Honda Civic three times with four other guys and survived. Or the day where I was diagnosed with cancer and spent many, many, many days dealing with and healing from that close-to-death disease. But none of those days left me with shame like the ones caused by my own decisions and choices.<br />
<br />
What do I mean? When I read through Paul's first letter to Timothy and read these words:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
15 What I say is true, and you should fully accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. 16 But I was given mercy so that in me, the worst of all sinners, Christ Jesus could show that he has patience without limit. His patience with me made me an example for those who would believe in him and have life forever. (1 Tim 1:15-16 NCV)</blockquote>
Those words really struck a chord in my soul as I read them. They were written by Paul who was considered to be one of the top leaders in the developing church and yet he still considered himself to be the worst of all sinners--and therefore greatly blessed by God's grace. I too have felt myself to be someone who has sinned greatly in my life. There have been many times in my life where I asked myself the question, "Should I do God's work today? Because I just did..." and would go ahead and do it but feeling increased guilt and shame as I did.<br />
<br />
Then I heard from someone that God is bigger than we are. I can't remember his name but I have been greatly affected by that statement. God is bigger than my mistakes. God can truly take everything I've done (sinful or not) and work that into the story of His grace for me. I can take the prayer of King David found in Psalms 51:5-12 (NCV)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KzgAZSd4r-BSV4TbX4Zd80kH7p4V_80bS_YC8ljxp-5_50GxOjpls9gkeSux5VNFh4ZNnVVBtQFnlOsg-48SZxTWlCysu5D4OPAAdmQJG5VwuflMzFizidfGhxauu7FOC1aMMkxIEuM/s1600/Gerard_van_Honthorst_-_King_David_Playing_the_Harp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1282" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KzgAZSd4r-BSV4TbX4Zd80kH7p4V_80bS_YC8ljxp-5_50GxOjpls9gkeSux5VNFh4ZNnVVBtQFnlOsg-48SZxTWlCysu5D4OPAAdmQJG5VwuflMzFizidfGhxauu7FOC1aMMkxIEuM/s320/Gerard_van_Honthorst_-_King_David_Playing_the_Harp.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;">5 </span></sup></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
was brought into this world in sin.<br />
In sin my mother gave birth to me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">You
want me to be completely truthful,<br />
so teach me wisdom.<br />
<b><sup>7 </sup></b>Take away my sin, and I will be clean.<br />
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<br />
<b><sup>8 </sup></b>Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness;<br />
let the bones you crushed be happy again.<br />
<b><sup>9 </sup></b>Turn your face from my sins<br />
and wipe out all my guilt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10 </span></span></sup></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Create
in me a pure heart, God,<br />
and make my spirit right again.<br />
<b><sup>11 </sup></b>Do not send me away from you<br />
or take your Holy Spirit away from me.<br />
<b><sup>12 </sup></b>Give me back the joy of your salvation.<br />
Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
One of the things that made David a "Man of God" was how willing he was to turn and change when God called him to do that. He took responsibility for his mistakes. He did not blame others or the situation. He was by no means a sinless man, but he understood that he had a relationship with the Creator and Redeemer. I have a model in Scripture that is not perfect, yet still longs for his Savior and wants to work his life in the ways of God. That's what I want to do too.<br />
<br />
I found this picture when doing some research on this blog. Enjoy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCy-njHHBGHFajgTZsX-wAFazM0O1g4Fg3rvJCPNeWCqxghrRyyMnzw4CmjH_dyzVanqk-iLmFCg2GEMyjwmiXAPjTc1sqJW7zSMpoLy-haCd9LgD_7ODfOi22kVR5bE7YE_9AeAgltk/s1600/17-02-26-OC-Passion-Psalm-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCy-njHHBGHFajgTZsX-wAFazM0O1g4Fg3rvJCPNeWCqxghrRyyMnzw4CmjH_dyzVanqk-iLmFCg2GEMyjwmiXAPjTc1sqJW7zSMpoLy-haCd9LgD_7ODfOi22kVR5bE7YE_9AeAgltk/s640/17-02-26-OC-Passion-Psalm-51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
( I found it here: <a href="http://derekbruff.org/blogs/sketchnotes/2017/02/26/passion-psalm-51/">http://derekbruff.org/blogs/sketchnotes/2017/02/26/passion-psalm-51/</a> and he has awesome others to check out too!)Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-30205669197931682342017-11-29T12:25:00.000-08:002017-12-11T13:09:34.015-08:00Why did I get sick???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUDTb_culXoFdeLL0ZIBqe-ZgLVDRBfgSc-aAbl9yi6sL9wFQvUj5nDhXsnPPG8fd-EoiIfYy5A3tMkwnaul6cND6UHwe7BDYllZX_ShnfHZKAzXCZ93akH3jOOQyHtuWQ7xWhmVmBtw/s1600/cute-puppy-sick-vet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUDTb_culXoFdeLL0ZIBqe-ZgLVDRBfgSc-aAbl9yi6sL9wFQvUj5nDhXsnPPG8fd-EoiIfYy5A3tMkwnaul6cND6UHwe7BDYllZX_ShnfHZKAzXCZ93akH3jOOQyHtuWQ7xWhmVmBtw/s200/cute-puppy-sick-vet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I just came back to work after being sick this last weekend. It was not fun. I was fairly tired all the time, and queasy, and just wanted to wrap up in warm blankets and go to sleep. Today I'm still a little sick, but I am trying my best to power through and be productive. I don't feel good.<br />
<br />
So I asked myself this question, "Why would a <i>loving</i> God let me be sick?" Isn't that a question that we all have from time to time? Often if someone we know is sick--especially when they are REALLY sick. I am reminded of the Bible verse that says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil 4:13)." So if this is true, why can't I get better? Or, in my mind, better now rather than later. Even if I have others pray for me (see James 5:16) I don't always get better in the way I visualize. So why does God let me be sick?<br />
<br />
I have read through the Bible several times over these last many years that I have been in a relationship with Jesus. I have read many different places where God has allowed people to be sick. Some were sick because of their choices. Some were sick because God wanted to glorify Himself through healing them. Some were sick because it kept them humble. Some we just don't know why they were sick.<br />
<br />
Often we cannot tell why we were sick at a certain time or in a certain place. I was very sick several<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BoZoPjVt1N2prNfkDTGWSFeawmUzIxbxsK6AnfPSTeKxxofoao3TcPWS1JeLZxXxOljmS2_Ev354svkK2Rm7O40GpK5zh4_Kxz7jY6HAIH6wbbQdObaIlodAPGMQGs2ElcIpXuqYAQw/s1600/RunOfHopeBNL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="591" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BoZoPjVt1N2prNfkDTGWSFeawmUzIxbxsK6AnfPSTeKxxofoao3TcPWS1JeLZxXxOljmS2_Ev354svkK2Rm7O40GpK5zh4_Kxz7jY6HAIH6wbbQdObaIlodAPGMQGs2ElcIpXuqYAQw/s200/RunOfHopeBNL.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family and I at the Run of Hope, a<br />
5k designed to raise money to fight brain<br />
cancer in kids.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
years ago. I was diagnosed with cancer. There are several ways that I am still recovering from that sickness. And its a burden because the kind of cancer I have does not get "fixed," it just "goes to sleep" and will reappear sometime in the future. Why did God let me go through that? Why did that pain and suffering also need to be inflicted on my wife and kids? For a significant amount of time, it changed how my family interacted and created several things that have been very difficult for me to accept and some that were extremely frustrating for me.<br />
<br />
So why? I still don't know today. I have heard and spoke with several people who have had cancer, or knew someone close who struggled with cancer. It may have been related to poor choices I had made in my past. It may be something God gave me to really humble myself and accept the help of other people in my life--something I desperately needed to learn at the time. I also ask myself quite often, "Why did I survive this very difficult form of cancer and others fail?" The truth is that I don't know. It could be any, or all of, or none of the possibilities listed above.<br />
<br />
There is a piece of Scripture that gives me some peace in my heart:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"7 So that I would not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me, a painful physical problem[b] was given to me. This problem was a messenger from Satan, sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud. 8 I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. 10 For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NCV)</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKiUTiRn_U9TNQuQilJB8AesbHZsJUF2hEY0059zONCe3fd9bQvsQhT3BCt_onYPuQ6KOj4fELUHoRFo8yhyphenhyphenhGW7elBhG60IdFH-QU7PbAUfppa-NupJTOP5QBwcJkGveRZw9F8VX99g/s1600/thorn+in+Pauls+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="324" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKiUTiRn_U9TNQuQilJB8AesbHZsJUF2hEY0059zONCe3fd9bQvsQhT3BCt_onYPuQ6KOj4fELUHoRFo8yhyphenhyphenhGW7elBhG60IdFH-QU7PbAUfppa-NupJTOP5QBwcJkGveRZw9F8VX99g/s200/thorn+in+Pauls+side.jpg" width="165" /></a>Paul was a servant of the Lord that did many mighty deeds through the power Christ gave him, and he still became ill and God wouldn't heal him of that affliction. Despite all the churches he started, despite all the prayers he prayed and people he healed, God did not heal him. The encouraging line in this passage is "When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you." I have come to value the times where I struggle and need to rely on the strength of God to make it through. I won't say that they were fun times. But they were times of growth for me, and a pattern of faith I can show other people.<br />
<br />
So will I ever know the answer to why was I sick? Probably not. Am I okay with that? Yes, because my God's power is made perfect in my weaknesses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSXkbRXF5DmmRZALFiJNjXWFs3xHn3I4cbbpjcG2Nd3DUSDisDulvU0tqSP0-DRscl7N8h_MfYw261IgavEgCNF0sKoXnECU9mSssUebjPbw7G2iLA5WWq6fLD0HimZ_VLyBozLrMrLU/s1600/Praise+in+Rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="892" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSXkbRXF5DmmRZALFiJNjXWFs3xHn3I4cbbpjcG2Nd3DUSDisDulvU0tqSP0-DRscl7N8h_MfYw261IgavEgCNF0sKoXnECU9mSssUebjPbw7G2iLA5WWq6fLD0HimZ_VLyBozLrMrLU/s640/Praise+in+Rain.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-81276410874080595592017-11-21T13:11:00.001-08:002017-12-11T13:09:55.427-08:00Are we truly free, or are we not?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTCHVlPJgtNHx-oN4RtMe8e3wmukTNyd2dx1e5En-GQFOQCKk22vfnAalcp9AmA-rj5bW9c0Fxlncv_0-EEvL0HvPMUGDqTVgfOU121yoAaGT8HDl0OJ1y08LTKqwcQJAKUjP_Kr5E4U/s1600/freedom+barbwire+fence+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="499" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTCHVlPJgtNHx-oN4RtMe8e3wmukTNyd2dx1e5En-GQFOQCKk22vfnAalcp9AmA-rj5bW9c0Fxlncv_0-EEvL0HvPMUGDqTVgfOU121yoAaGT8HDl0OJ1y08LTKqwcQJAKUjP_Kr5E4U/s640/freedom+barbwire+fence+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s1600/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s1600/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="960" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s200/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s1600/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s1600/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IA-oI_-CVPcWAieNwhOjZRt-Y2qIHvJ51LECRV9NQQGWa2FRwn1e4D7ARmFvyNuVygKdNAZ2eXBXXLJ0cWQYa5npSgz97ozJT7hZoX2coG1Ez3owAMCoCgdE8C0uI_e-t7ATsplPdAA/s1600/BraveheartFreedomCry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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Freedom!<br />
When I hear this word I get an image in my mind from the movie Braveheart, where William Wallace is encouraging his side and yells, "Freedom!!!" Where in my own life do I have a desire for freedom? And what is freedom?<br />
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Freedom is: noun<br />
<ol>
<li>the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: "<i>He won his freedom after a retrial</i>."</li>
<li>exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.</li>
<li>the power to determine action without restraint</li>
<li>political or national independence.</li>
<li>personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: "<i>a slave who bought his freedom</i>."</li>
</ol>
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There are times when I feel like there is an enemy and that I am the target of all his attacks. Whether or not that is true, I long for this feeling of freedom. But what do I want freedom from?</div>
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I want freedom from:</div>
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<li>Pain/suffering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcamu4Z0F_qVaejPT5ODiI4ABffVyTBYjryuV7BAGHUkBHgwumrr0f7e-TX1OOFW3OObq6rWWFwsMhnc3GpRsAGQRIgeRJ64EnSmnCNBqkwmKPJ1XRpybvXyPeB6a0BG4JDSXRCnRPgHQ/s1600/freedom-butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="633" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcamu4Z0F_qVaejPT5ODiI4ABffVyTBYjryuV7BAGHUkBHgwumrr0f7e-TX1OOFW3OObq6rWWFwsMhnc3GpRsAGQRIgeRJ64EnSmnCNBqkwmKPJ1XRpybvXyPeB6a0BG4JDSXRCnRPgHQ/s320/freedom-butterfly.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>Slavery</li>
<li>Addiction</li>
<li>Oppression</li>
<li>Sexuality</li>
<li>Cruelty</li>
<li>Boredom</li>
<li>Politics</li>
<li>Self</li>
<li>Others</li>
<li>Emotions</li>
<li>Technology</li>
<li>The "MAN"</li>
<li>Religion</li>
<li>Body/Image</li>
<li>Gossip/Criticism</li>
<li>Government</li>
<li>Too much to do</li>
<li>Etc...</li>
</ul>
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What am I really asking to be saved from? What do I really want to be free of? It seems complicated at first but the truth for me is that I want the freedom to do what I want when and where I want to do it. But the truth is that we are never truly free. My actions have consequences. There is a cost for the things I choose to do, because with every "yes" there are a bunch of "no"s. Sometimes, when I am crying for "freedom," I am asking for there to not be consequences for my actions. </div>
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So what? There are situations that people these days still desperately need freedom from. Are they crying needlessly? No. There are things that we can do to help them (and ourselves) from oppression. Important things. Things that we need to do. But the greatest source of true freedom that I have ever found is Jesus Christ. He loves me (and you too) and has worked to free me from the ultimate consequence: death, eternal death. You see, our lack of freedom in the world ultimately stems from harms derived from a person's sins. It could be our own sin or that of someone else. Sin is where we "miss the mark," much like missing the target when shooting an arrow from a bow. It could cause unintentional pain, or it could have done that because I wanted it to. But it harms people, it harms me, and it harms Jesus as he took the consequences for it himself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjj-oVT4eoxGLrjG6GGXza5aJUFMVgJzMj7HIs0MMG3yKh9txpodaXdrejhvLcgl5UgX_4KN7IUPRWqCplWRfX2V9BRG1etNXuZO54MmazBPgEvP5WgjRtc2WeYBmevv1nvYqCajbC4g/s1600/crucifixion+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="429" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRjj-oVT4eoxGLrjG6GGXza5aJUFMVgJzMj7HIs0MMG3yKh9txpodaXdrejhvLcgl5UgX_4KN7IUPRWqCplWRfX2V9BRG1etNXuZO54MmazBPgEvP5WgjRtc2WeYBmevv1nvYqCajbC4g/s200/crucifixion+%25282%2529.jpg" width="166" /></a>I don't really know how to explain how that works. But I have faith that it is true. However, what does that have to do with what I said earlier? There are ultimately two sides, led by two great sources. Your choices will determine which one rules your life. I have found that God's ways are always the best--even when it doesn't make sense in the right now. The other source is calling me to try to please myself, try to put myself first in everything. That doesn't seem to be bad, right? But if I am the center of my own universe the other people in the world are just there to please me. Does it work though if I am doing that, you are doing that, and we all seek our own selves first? What that does is lead to envy, strife, hate, anger, fear, and aloneness as you sink further and further away from other people.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEbpEkU2lRbEv6IydFYjzNVdsx4sGS620njR1l4R83X2oOYpx2h2903qbcz4yd88D-jc6NXEn3YY6IxFwM0aNIJBdHUgmZo9Pcd2OihPwDHxYcRrMH-ue2vpxpwkN1YjDM8JkQpSMZnb8/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"5 Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about the things the Spirit wants them to do. 6 If people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace. 7 When people’s thinking is controlled by the sinful self, they are against God, because they refuse to obey God’s law and really are not even able to obey God’s law. 8 Those people who are ruled by their sinful selves cannot please God.<br />
9 But you are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. 10 Your body will always be dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Romans 8:5-10 (NIV)</blockquote>
For me, my life was headed towards death. I thought that I was going to be okay because I had said the prayer where I told God I was a sinner and needed Him in my life. But my actions were stating that I didn't truly believe that. So instead I continued my sin and tried to lead others to God. If I had continued my sin I truly would have died and created a bigger hole in the lives of my family than I already had. I found out that I truly needed a relationship with other Christians and a real relationship with Jesus. Like when I had first prayed that prayer. I was hopeless. Stuck. What I needed was freedom and could only get that from Jesus. I needed to shift who I was putting in the center of my universe. No more me. It needed to be Jesus. I have been glad since then because since I have found a relationship with Jesus I have never been closer to Him than I am right now. Am I perfect? No. Do I still sin? Yes. Am I finding a difference in my life? Absolutely, and the Holy Spirit is working on who I am as I learn to be more open and intimate with Him. Freedom? Yes, most definitely! From what I thought I wanted? No. But freedom from sin and a relationship with someone greater than I could ever imagine is what I have gained.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18z1guP_T9tX9RSDd1t9Y4uMXROI31GSyJl_SuKIRDZwtG-SXYdXaN_wyZUfplAkSpuWlx42CWTdW2ouGECNODSmwJJb6LE6weBhp0s5NjYGjJC7d57Fk1f2R9DQWgRNBozE1nZM8oSA/s1600/freedom-presence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="793" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18z1guP_T9tX9RSDd1t9Y4uMXROI31GSyJl_SuKIRDZwtG-SXYdXaN_wyZUfplAkSpuWlx42CWTdW2ouGECNODSmwJJb6LE6weBhp0s5NjYGjJC7d57Fk1f2R9DQWgRNBozE1nZM8oSA/s640/freedom-presence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-12362176375704283722017-11-16T13:18:00.000-08:002017-12-11T13:10:08.277-08:00Centering Prayer...a hug from God?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanqtRQsiag85x1X0lmH_haddAyi7sppUTnQASaB_JvbHqGqvZT8_VQkXIUPhfLJ9OclyLaGn3SZ5JGMJGWDY_tYWtQgYid_TAT-jo34AsaEBDhpfzr5fiiNjp8-oV-Qp5sSVNj_uMK5c/s1600/2-hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="500" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanqtRQsiag85x1X0lmH_haddAyi7sppUTnQASaB_JvbHqGqvZT8_VQkXIUPhfLJ9OclyLaGn3SZ5JGMJGWDY_tYWtQgYid_TAT-jo34AsaEBDhpfzr5fiiNjp8-oV-Qp5sSVNj_uMK5c/s200/2-hug.jpg" width="200" /></a>Centering Prayer?<br />
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I've been reading a book called <u>Sacred Pathways</u> written by Gary Thomas and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is a quote of one of the things I have enjoyed from his book:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"The purpose of centering prayer is not to cultivate feelings or create a 'spiritual experience'; it is sumply to rest in and enjoy the blessed presence of God. For those who question this, we need merely to look to the human example. The deepest kind of love is often that wich allows you to rest in another's presence with out saying or doing anything, just enjoy being together. If a husband can feel this way with his wife, or a sister with her sibling, or a mother with her infant, why can't Christians enjoy this with the God?" (p. 199) </blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cwfwOUvHmUP8EEpf5TsEbAq3TaBeX01S2FkvnvMjsbsodoj4nPgiAwTNQirufEh_cgqgeGmLSs3brZhWAyS5NMJRoQbXOfpy0fIr13NxAbhyphenhyphen3m-JAB6lBgEPNvrMK65pzQSoGvV4usg/s1600/dad+and+daughter+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="355" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cwfwOUvHmUP8EEpf5TsEbAq3TaBeX01S2FkvnvMjsbsodoj4nPgiAwTNQirufEh_cgqgeGmLSs3brZhWAyS5NMJRoQbXOfpy0fIr13NxAbhyphenhyphen3m-JAB6lBgEPNvrMK65pzQSoGvV4usg/s200/dad+and+daughter+hug.jpg" width="200" /></a>What I've enjoyed is how he has gone through different styles of how we worship the Lord. We each have certain ways and things that draw us closer to God and he goes through each one. I found this quote in the chapter on "Contemplatives." I really enjoyed how he connected this with the human experience. When he wrote the part about the parent with a child I totally pictured myself cuddling my youngest daughter this morning and simply enjoying being there with her. Nothing else on my mind but enjoying our presence together. Then I connected that situation with God and imagined how amazing that is to be in that place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDKD5S83kZq_hLJAZ-jKJO_aBZlDRbktpwlMzT2hTmiyx3RkeQ2xQ6SFsgdSrWqma6roWIBs2AoJgCxaXp_KYW-wFpNiU2E30QEQA8bMMoVzmrj2elZuxQYW0B0rBfBpUWgJVpAKuNMY/s1600/older+couple+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="500" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDKD5S83kZq_hLJAZ-jKJO_aBZlDRbktpwlMzT2hTmiyx3RkeQ2xQ6SFsgdSrWqma6roWIBs2AoJgCxaXp_KYW-wFpNiU2E30QEQA8bMMoVzmrj2elZuxQYW0B0rBfBpUWgJVpAKuNMY/s200/older+couple+hug.jpg" width="200" /></a>In truth, centering prayer is not something that you do. It's more of something you don't do. You stay focused on God and use words to redirect yourself back to Him. I know that my own mind races too fast to control at times--especially when I need to focus on something specific. It's like that moment in the movie "Up" where the group of dogs see a squirrel and totally lose track of their conversation. We use the word to bring us back to the focus on God's presence because that is why we're praying this way: to simply enjoy the presence of our God, our Lord, our Creator, our Savior, our Spirit. We are simply seeking to be in His presence and allow Him to speak to us and guide our prayers.<br />
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It's like seeking a big, warm hug from our Father in Heaven. He created us. He planned for us. He loves us. Like his kiddos, we can seek to be in his presence and just enjoy that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrP-MjsROYTaQyx65mN8ZGir5vuLaEZVHm6gabcv1fVWPXEWk0NsrYlwsd1kQ7Pmcx60X0V9YAgK3RWjftHGLyCuhrB3qEf0MqCUjqeMwB4Pms9f7dvQrqZrcRZjzr2ZZasQBD0scEqY/s1600/friend+hug.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrP-MjsROYTaQyx65mN8ZGir5vuLaEZVHm6gabcv1fVWPXEWk0NsrYlwsd1kQ7Pmcx60X0V9YAgK3RWjftHGLyCuhrB3qEf0MqCUjqeMwB4Pms9f7dvQrqZrcRZjzr2ZZasQBD0scEqY/s200/friend+hug.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best friends can hug...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYXkR-g7nsQMXZ2YHahQ5Fo6F6MyLkqTn-jrW3MdxKTnB0EjRouych0wQX_bfrimutjA3_dCTfYYHfnS93IcxZZuyufCeLv4DP6w4s21JB7SCTabK1-XV27y-aKVLVkF8be4G-TD2OJA/s1600/friends+young+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="524" data-original-width="931" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYXkR-g7nsQMXZ2YHahQ5Fo6F6MyLkqTn-jrW3MdxKTnB0EjRouych0wQX_bfrimutjA3_dCTfYYHfnS93IcxZZuyufCeLv4DP6w4s21JB7SCTabK1-XV27y-aKVLVkF8be4G-TD2OJA/s200/friends+young+hug.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little kids can hug...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMso5_CzQK4ZcWFM3iS8sVk8MqFh1KAuOB5BI7mutk8drkPKpysmXByHH-fVCvAGsi26XcKn8ZOnfchrfzZ57wql31JenieE4BRsHgQAHcku6Yfq6lKzXx4MU-YwmLyHvb7u-8SNbSJaU/s1600/chimps-hugging-why-we-kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMso5_CzQK4ZcWFM3iS8sVk8MqFh1KAuOB5BI7mutk8drkPKpysmXByHH-fVCvAGsi26XcKn8ZOnfchrfzZ57wql31JenieE4BRsHgQAHcku6Yfq6lKzXx4MU-YwmLyHvb7u-8SNbSJaU/s1600/chimps-hugging-why-we-kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdhkMyyL39kF3UzBcW1ZIpHxVVze5TZUDTbVj2ZXDrA37Vc0zXFfL3VRS9I5LJhf_tyIDMoCNoAKa-y_m9EV9XzuSNwWvOxycEKLAxjFDidjpFgcZZmHV4GMu19sNd7tfUToVurWU-bI/s1600/dad+son+hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="410" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdhkMyyL39kF3UzBcW1ZIpHxVVze5TZUDTbVj2ZXDrA37Vc0zXFfL3VRS9I5LJhf_tyIDMoCNoAKa-y_m9EV9XzuSNwWvOxycEKLAxjFDidjpFgcZZmHV4GMu19sNd7tfUToVurWU-bI/s200/dad+son+hug.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father and son can hug...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="750" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMso5_CzQK4ZcWFM3iS8sVk8MqFh1KAuOB5BI7mutk8drkPKpysmXByHH-fVCvAGsi26XcKn8ZOnfchrfzZ57wql31JenieE4BRsHgQAHcku6Yfq6lKzXx4MU-YwmLyHvb7u-8SNbSJaU/s200/chimps-hugging-why-we-kiss.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even monkies can hug!</td></tr>
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Let's go get a hug!Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-62656901296640965592017-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:002017-12-11T13:11:33.094-08:00Peace!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt50c2tnEfH-6ziw2suitWhbWjkw72sRXxeyo_lvvBAHbNsRB1Jl5tj0jiLrTh6dno-cVBsctlz2NsW-tpF4DN5s8efEaVy8oYj3KmWoHN2ambw91Ejcv7Xj-T17fyvDN2bk6FWMn_Vk/s1600/Peace+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt50c2tnEfH-6ziw2suitWhbWjkw72sRXxeyo_lvvBAHbNsRB1Jl5tj0jiLrTh6dno-cVBsctlz2NsW-tpF4DN5s8efEaVy8oYj3KmWoHN2ambw91Ejcv7Xj-T17fyvDN2bk6FWMn_Vk/s200/Peace+sign.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g6SNdMJWbmZwXor1FiS5vL7PnqLdVQW68uu38rn44eDMUk_uQ_hKVtBhx9uTHZ_mBwOIz3W31byHhq7hynhfhQwdW6G9Usx8dC4DHf2RXIDNHZIPvc4aHsuZHqnrcNxiNPptglFZUCA/s1600/Peace+Sign+Hand.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="681" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g6SNdMJWbmZwXor1FiS5vL7PnqLdVQW68uu38rn44eDMUk_uQ_hKVtBhx9uTHZ_mBwOIz3W31byHhq7hynhfhQwdW6G9Usx8dC4DHf2RXIDNHZIPvc4aHsuZHqnrcNxiNPptglFZUCA/s200/Peace+Sign+Hand.gif" width="200" /></a> I remember waaaaaaaay back to my days in school. Specifically, elementary school. What I remember is that they told us to use the sign on the right side of this blog to be quiet. They told us it meant we needed to be quiet. If we weren't quiet they would come up and be more forceful and less polite as they asked us to be quiet. Seemed at odds with what the sign meant even more years back. In fact, when I was younger, seeing those pictures I wondered why they were always telling people to be quiet. When I was older I found out that it was actually the peace sign that you could take with you. Wow, huh?<br />
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Peace, what does it mean to you? I know that over the years it has meant different things. To someone in the time of Edgar Allen Poe, it meant to be calm and quiet. To those in the 60's, it was part of a movement which wanted the wars to stop and people to be nice to one another (hence the hand and circle signs). To us, it means different things even today. So, what does "peace" mean to you?<br />
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My own definition of peace has changed over the years. It started as being a boring time where I wasn't supposed to do anything or to speak. Later I thought of it as some sort of hippy nonsense that didn't mean anything in today's world. When I was older and working I wanted "peace" to fall over those gathered with me and so that they'd quiet down. Most recently I have had a fundamental shift as to its meaning in my life.<br />
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For me now, peace is not something that I can make or give. It is a certainty that God has a great love for me and that he has things planned out, all I need to do is trust Him the best that I can. Peace is a calming, overwhelming sense of security, regardless of what is going on or happening. Peace is knowing that whatever I face, God wins (and through my relationship with Him so do I). It is awesome to experience that kind of peace. It is something that no person, city, government, or country can truly provide. It is only available through God and your relationship with Him. I have thought that peace was just an emotion or an action to complete. I am glad that it comes from God through Jesus' self-sacrifice empowered by the Holy Spirit. God keep me in your peace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lPQR9ED-4NC_71Q41eHlY0ITBEoVyDav0X0AbimyedFKoEG9sKlYiho1MAkeUeKQs9mSXyF9_n7U6PMuaGizgjxFMY_M_IqmPSjjV73QG0bOE3iZw4i5T27SGkLH8iaIp-1Mqsvi500/s1600/BibleOpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="720" height="105" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lPQR9ED-4NC_71Q41eHlY0ITBEoVyDav0X0AbimyedFKoEG9sKlYiho1MAkeUeKQs9mSXyF9_n7U6PMuaGizgjxFMY_M_IqmPSjjV73QG0bOE3iZw4i5T27SGkLH8iaIp-1Mqsvi500/s200/BibleOpen.jpg" width="200" /></a>Philippians 4:6-7<br />
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”<br />
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Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5812866439979718436.post-75571077015048457772017-11-07T12:59:00.001-08:002017-12-11T13:11:20.179-08:00How do I become better?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfUiUyDy_SZjrvG75QgouScn7n45Ecnw8-pXWVilE286h3ccDyeUahCKFxx1rWKzIckUSFt1uWtqzB-u321qvlOUthZ_OQ38DVP64k8bE05KkBDGV8pdoAaE134Xn6UFFuyPng9nOgCs/s1600/BeBetterChecklist.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfUiUyDy_SZjrvG75QgouScn7n45Ecnw8-pXWVilE286h3ccDyeUahCKFxx1rWKzIckUSFt1uWtqzB-u321qvlOUthZ_OQ38DVP64k8bE05KkBDGV8pdoAaE134Xn6UFFuyPng9nOgCs/s200/BeBetterChecklist.jpeg" width="200" /></a> We all want to be better than we are today. Deep down there is always something that we can pick out of who we are and want to be better there. We want this so much that slogans like:<br />
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"Training to be better...Just read Scripture!"<br />
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How to be "Good, better, best..."<br />
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"I'm better than before..." Etc....<br />
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Tend to prick our brains and we at least are interested. But! Are we seeking to be "Better Christians" Or have a better relationship with Christ"?<br />
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Question: Why do you want to be better? So you can feel better about yourself, or so you can experience life more fully? Is there guilt or shame tied to this question for you? Are you in competition with someone? Do you feel lost and don't know who you are? You feel that you are set free by the grace of God and want to be better because of that? Why do you want to be better?<br />
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I know that we all want to be better than we are. I also know (from personal experience) that we want to be better for a variety of reasons--often all at the same time! I know that I want to be better because I am afraid of losing what is important to me. I want to be better because it may end strife and difficult conversations between myself and others. I want to be better than "that guy" because I feel competitive. I want to be better because I want good things to give to my loved ones. I want to be better because Jesus has made me clean of my sins and I want to live up to that.<br />
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Who doesn't want that?<br />
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But my motivation changes how and why I seek to be made better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvJ4G-G5ryUnJxjfbf5EMlAK_gz6p-a0tQDNb4CBorqYtwGOxd84Hyz6ARAPQQ0aTr4TDuiE6UAYQH21_7uMmUWnjU00VYVJten4x0E57SBFlVhfKe0iqesurgJUoJ43oJYr2HV-edCI/s1600/Holy+Bible.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvJ4G-G5ryUnJxjfbf5EMlAK_gz6p-a0tQDNb4CBorqYtwGOxd84Hyz6ARAPQQ0aTr4TDuiE6UAYQH21_7uMmUWnjU00VYVJten4x0E57SBFlVhfKe0iqesurgJUoJ43oJYr2HV-edCI/s200/Holy+Bible.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)</blockquote>
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Here are what some of the terms used in that scripture mean:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Teach: show or explain to (someone) how to do something.</li>
<li>Rebuke: sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand.</li>
<li>Correct: 1) (adj) free from error; in accordance with fact or truth. 2) (verb) put right (an error or fault).</li>
<li>Training: the action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behavior.</li>
</ul>
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Each of those terms is about change. Basically, it means that God has inspired Scripture to <i>change</i> us. But who is it supposed to change? Strangers? Sinners? Wayward people? No. Scripture was not inspired by God so that we can stand on a street corner yelling at people to change their lives over to Jesus. It is intended to change <u>us</u>, the believer. We can and should use scripture to help us as we talk with other people about our faith. But it is intended to be read and used by us so that we know some things about God. It tells <i>who</i> God is. It shows us <i>what</i> God wants us to do. It teaches us <i>how </i>God has acted toward humanity in the past. It was created to <i>develop</i> a relationship with Him. All the things listed above are intended for those who already love Him.</div>
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So when we read Scripture, we are reading what God has written to us. Sometimes like a love note, sometimes like a history, always an explanation for us to pray with and think over and learn to apply to ourselves. When I wonder what I need to be doing, I know that one thing I need to do is go read the Bible.</div>
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Want to become better with me?</div>
Pastor Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12493036736710476773noreply@blogger.com0