tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21432465804111507172024-03-14T12:20:23.993-04:00Out of My MindMy Thoughts on Leadership, Church Issues and any other thing that comes out of my mind.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-70458972016511689232019-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:002019-04-09T08:00:02.978-04:00Handle with Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning I was reading in my devotional time and saw a note that I had written above another scripture on the same page. It was written above Hebrews 13:7-8 which states, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." As I read those verses I remembered God speaking to me concerning the way that I treat those in leadership over me. I had written, "What He did for <u>them</u>, He'll do for me!"<br />
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This statement caused me to pause for a moment and think about the way I handle the gifts that God has given to me, those people that speak consistently into my life and care for my soul. Do I treat them as the gifts that they are or do I take for granted that they should be doing that because that is their job? Do I pray for them daily because I recognize my need for them to be spiritually and physically healthy or do I just look for ways that they can meet my needs? Do I work as diligently trying to make their dream and vision come to pass as I do my own?<br />
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If I truly believe that whatever God does for those in leadership above me He will do for me then I will be careful how I treat them. I will watch how I speak of them to others. I will never disrespect or dishonor them. I will rally around and cheer them on because their success will determine my own.<br />
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So today I pray for my leaders. I pray that if I have ever hurt or mistreated you that would be able to forgive me. I repent for any time I have participated in dishonoring your name, position or vision. I petition heaven to bless you, to help you succeed in the calling that God has on their lives. I pray for your health and healing. I pray that God would strengthen your marriage and protect your families. I pray that every God-given dream of yours would come to pass. I pray for the Holy Spirit to keep me constantly in check so that I would treat my leaders like I would want my followers to treat me. Remember, what He does for them, He'll do for you!Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-61565243102939440272019-04-08T09:46:00.001-04:002019-04-08T09:46:43.140-04:00Monday Mind Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And again we land on another Monday! We are one week closer to Easter (or Resurrection Sunday if the whole "Easter" thing offends you) and we are still in the middle of our series called #Bringer. We are preparing for many guests and believing that God is going to work in the hearts of everyone who attends.<br />
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Yesterday was our quarterly Pastor flip here at #HarvestChurchOK. Pastor Joshua came to the Sand Springs campus and I had to privilege of going to the West Tulsa Campus. I absolutely love what God is doing at that campus! I believe that we are watching God unfold something really special in that community. Miranda and her team do such an incredible job with worship and help create an atmosphere where it is just plain easy to preach. I want to give a shout out to the ushers there at West Campus because I threw them a curve ball a few minutes before service and they handled it with grace! Thank you guys for what you do!<br />
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Then last night was our quarterly Southern Nights at our traditional service. I guess that's just another name for "a singing." It was a great time as nearly twenty different people took the stage to lift their worship through song. It was truly a great night! I want to give a great big shout out to my hero, Kevin Clark! Kevin is an all around model team player who serves in Harvest Kids on Wednesday nights, is Head Usher at the Sand Springs Campus and organizes all of the music for our traditional service and Southern Nights! He is an absolute rock star! I really don't think he knows how much this pastor appreciates him! For all my pastor friends, I hope that you one day have a Kevin Clark in your ministry!<br />
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As I end this Monday's mind dump, let me remind you to INVITE, INVITE, INVITE to #EasterAtHarvest! We love and appreciate you all!Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-62597286015807643302019-04-01T13:06:00.002-04:002019-04-01T13:06:46.033-04:00Monday Mind Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So here we are again... at Monday. We start another week, get into the grind and make things happen. But before we do, let's pause and contemplate with wonder what God has done for us. Let's talk for a while about the marvelous mystery that is His Church. Let's take a moment to have a Monday Mind Dump.<br />
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Yesterday was a wonderful day at Harvest church. Many of us were tired from the weekend. A few of our men were sore from our dodgeball tournament. We were able to push past the wear of the week and press into God's presence for some time of refreshing.<br />
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God moved in a powerful way in our worship experience yesterday. I feel like He is using our times of worship to really start to speak to us corporately and individually. These times aren't just stoic, produced concerts. They are precious times of intimate fellowship between us and God. We were challenged to not just worship from our experiences but from the perspective of the Lord. We aren't going to worship from our fear, our struggle, our sickness. We will worship God because He is holy, He is all powerful, He is victorious! Our focus must be on Him not on ourselves.<br />
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Then we were challenged by God's word to be a people FOR people, not against everything that's wrong with society. God doesn't need us to fight His battles. He wants us to LOVE His people. We decided that we wouldn't serve the gospel on a trash can lid but we would do our best to speak the language of our culture to reach those far from Christ. We will be full of grace and truth and people will experience our grace before we present them with truth. We will be a people of love, a people of grace. We will be a church for people who need another chance.<br />
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Then last night a bunch of people gathered to eat together, play some game and just hang out. It was wonderful. No agendas, no plans, just each other. I truly believe that we are better together.<br />
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I want to say a huge thank you to JW Cook for organizing our dodgeball tournament! It was amazing! We all had such a great time. Thank you to the staff at Harvest for getting everything together for the game night! I've heard it said that you are only as good as the team that surrounds you. If that's the case, we have great things ahead of us because we are surrounded with a wonderful group of people!<br />
<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-68102305129890475832019-03-25T09:50:00.002-04:002019-03-25T09:50:51.617-04:00Monday Mind Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Monday mornings come with such frequency. Almost as much frequency as Sunday mornings. You wake up and start the cycle all over again. For me that cycle begins by processing all that happened the previous day at our services. That is the purpose of Monday Mind Dump.<br />
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Yesterday was a wonderful day at Harvest Church. We continued our series #Bringer where we talked about looking for those who are in life's storms and being the voice that calls out, like Jesus did to Peter, to "Come." We encouraged our people to look for three people this week who are in the middle of a storm and invite them to attend #EasterAtHarvest with them. I have to say that our people have responded to this series on creating a culture of inviting much more enthusiastically than I could have imagined.<br />
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Sidebar: If you don't have a home church and live anywhere near the Sand Springs / Tulsa area, I would love to host you as my personal guest this Easter!<br />
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Our teams did a wonderful job creating an atmosphere where we could respond to God's presence. Amy, in the Harvest Cafe, is knocking it out of the park! She and her team have created a new drink for the month of March and it is AMAZING! If you haven't tried it, you should!<br />
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In our evening, traditional, service Miranda Freeman preached and she did a phenomenal job! She talked about "What's in a Prayer" where she pointed out that prayer should be filled with and supported by humility, patience, and faith. We were stirred with faith to start looking at those around us, not from face-value but from faith-value.<br />
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If you haven't checked this girl out, you need too because God has truly gifted her! You can peruse her blog <a href="https://freedomwrittenblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Also, she and her husband, Joshua, who happens to be the campus pastor at Harvest Church West Tulsa, are going on a missions trip to Haiti this September! They will be serving Hope House Haiti and participating in local children's programs and feeding projects. They will be helping with sustainability projects in the surrounding areas such as fish farms, chicken farms, and producing crops to help produce lasting sustainability. To get there this couple is having to raise $3,500.00.<br />
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Would you pray about sowing into this couples journey? You can do that by clicking <a href="http://harvestchurchok.org/give" target="_blank">here</a> and then clicking the giving link. When the new page is opened, scroll down to other and type in your amount. The click in the box next to it and type in "Haiti Trip." Thank you so much for considering this wonderful work!<br />
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<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-10252319402067479452019-03-18T14:12:00.002-04:002019-03-18T14:12:38.333-04:00Monday Mind Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is Monday of spring break and today has started out like your stereotypical Monday. First, I overslept by like TWO HOURS!! (Who does that??) Now that I've gotten my coffee and morning banana, I am fine!<br />
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Yesterday was a great Sunday! Though our attendance seemed a little low to me, our people seemed to engage in worship. Our teams knocked it out of the park and the message seemed to connect with the people. There was a great response to the invitation at the end and there were a ton of names of people that we would pray for and invite to #EasterAtHarvest! There are always things that I think we can tweak but overall, it was a great morning.<br />
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For those of you who are unaware, we have an evening, traditional service. This is a time of worship with traditional hymns and southern gospel music that is really geared toward those that love that style. It is also a time for me to give opportunities for up and coming leaders, that I'm in relationship with, to preach. It is also a great time to hear from the wisdom of some of our retired ministers! But one of the things I love most about Sunday nights is that I don't have to worry about preaching another sermon. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE to preach! It is one of my greatest passions but when I have to focus on two messages in one day, I don't feel like I can fully focus on just being present in the moment with people before the service. On Sunday nights, I get to be fully there! I get to stand around and have conversations that I don't get to have any other time. I get to joke around. I get to connect with our people in a way that I don't get too on Sunday mornings. I LOVE Sunday nights!<br />
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This past Sunday night we had Veronika Jones speak on "Do You Know Me?"<br />
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Now, I don't know if you know this young lady but she is a powerful preacher! Whether she knows it or not, she has a great prophetic ear and a wonderful way of communicating what she hears the Lord is saying. Though I can't claim any responsibility for mentoring her in her calling, I am proud like she is one of mine! I can't brag on her enough!<br />
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Not only is she a powerful preacher but she is also a missionary and she is taking a trip this Summer to Africa! She does the hard work of raising the money all by herself and I would like to help her get that money raised! I am asking all my family and friend, near and far, to pray about giving a gift towards her trip this Summer. She needs $6,200 before she can go on this trip. Could you give something towards it? If so, log on to our website at <a href="http://harvestchurchok.org/give" target="_blank">http://harvestchurchok.org</a> and click the giving link. When the new page opens, scroll down to "Other" and type in your gift amount. Then in the box to the right of that type in "Veronika Jones." Then you should be able to follow the instructions on the page from there. Thank you in advance for helping her reach her goal and get to Africa to expand the kingdom!<br />
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Let's talk about it!<br />
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What did God do in you yesterday? Tell me about it so we can celebrate together!<br />
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<br />Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-11697045302874837842019-03-04T10:26:00.002-05:002019-03-04T10:26:45.490-05:00Monday Mind Dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For those who do not know, my family and I have recently moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma to take the Lead Pastor position at Harvest Church. I haven't written in a while but I used to do these "Monday Mind Dumps" to clear my head after the Sunday service. It allows me to process most of my thoughts about the Sunday service and you to see my process in evaluating the things that were done. (Don't worry! I will not evaluate anything that deals with specific people. I don't put people on blast like that.) I thought I'd try this again.<br />
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Yesterday we had to cancel our onsite services because of winter weather. Can I just say that I hate snow and ice! I hate to cancel church. Most people assume that it is because we can't take offering and then I have to be concerned about meeting budgets for the week. That actually isn't it at all. (I mean, I do think about those things but that isn't my main reason for despising having to cancel.) I LOVE getting together with God's people to worship and celebrate Him. I love the dynamic of corporate worship. I love to hear other people singing. I love it when spontaneous worship breaks out. I love to see how people respond to the Holy Spirit's presence. I love to teach God's word to a room full of people who are hungry to hear from Him. There is just nothing like it! Sunday really is my favorite day of the week. So when we have to cancel everything in me fights it. With that said, when we had to cancel yesterday, I contacted a skeleton crew who felt comfortable getting out in the cold to meet me so we could broadcast a livestream service for everyone who was at home.<br />
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Now, what you should know about me is I am comfortable in front of a crowd and I am comfortable in front of a camera in a small room with no one else present. What I am not comfortable with is a nearly empty auditorium and ceiling mounted cameras and you could probably tell it. I preached to the ten or so people that were there and to the cameras, all the while hoping that someone was watching. I stood in one place and tried to put the majority of my focus on the one camera. I tried to deliver what God had spoken to me but it wasn't my greatest preaching moment. We will be working on another method doing online services for such occasions.<br />
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The worship team, however, knocked it out of the park. They played and sang as though the room was full of people. They worshiped like it was just them and God. I couldn't have been a prouder pastor. And then there was the people that never get recognition; the people in the sound booth tweaking sound for the online audience, the people putting words on the screen so it could be broadcasted and you who were at home could sing along. Then there's the camera guy who showed up and had to sit there to make sure I didn't walk off screen! (And then I didn't even move! Sorry Steve!) We had people who showed up to just help in any way they could and also people who came to watch children. I was moved because these people, volunteers, came anyway. They chose to get up, get dressed and come out in the COLD so other people could still worship at home in their PJs!<br />
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As a pastor, our hope is that people will eventually be able to look beyond themselves and grasp the servant nature of Jesus for their own lives. We long for people to stop being so selfish and to serve others in the same manner that Jesus would and did. We hope and pray and teach so that people will get it. And yesterday they did! They served. No payment, no external reward and with probably very few thank you's. But I was ministered too. I am so thankful. I am incredibly proud.<br />
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So, not too much today in the way of critique today. Just a great big THANK YOU from an incredibly grateful pastor to the dream team at Harvest Church! We love you and are honored to serve God and our community alongside you! You rock and I can't wait to see as God brings you all into your More!Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-13949397236629416902017-12-05T11:48:00.002-05:002017-12-05T11:48:56.031-05:00Decide Today What You'll Say Then<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you remember The Grinch? Yeah, the one who stole Christmas! The green one. The mean one. I've learned a few lessons from him and the town that he grew to hate. You see, the Who's rejected the odd, young Grinch. They laughed at him. They made fun of him. They rejected him and because of it, he grew to hate Christmas.<br />
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Have you ever met anyone that seems to push people away before they have a chance to get too close? Do you know someone that manipulates each and every situation so that they are portrayed in the best light? Maybe you struggle with feelings that if people knew the real you, they wouldn't accept you. If so, you may be dealing with a root of rejection.<br />
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Every person deals with rejection. It could be a parent that left home and you always wondered if you could have done something to make them stay. It may be that little league coach that relegated you to the bench because you weren't as talented as the other kid. Maybe you were infatuated with that beautiful young lady but she didn't reciprocate those feelings. Everyone experiences rejection at some point. But how do we handle it? Do we assess it and move on or do we constantly mull over it, see it as a personal attack and take it to heart? The way we handle rejection will reveal whether we will allow rejection to take root in our heart or not.<br />
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There are a lot of people in the Bible that experienced rejection. Adam was rejected when he was forced out of the garden of Eden. Cain was rejected when his offering was rejected. Ishmael was rejected because he wasn't recognized as Abraham's promised child. It is Joseph, however, that impressed me in his handling of rejection.<br />
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Joseph was the youngest and favorite son in his family. If that wasn't enough to cause tension in the family, Joseph had a dream that everyone of his brothers would eventually bow down to him. Once he told them his dream, they hated him even more and decided to sell him into slavery! Talk about rejection issues. Then he was rejected again by Potiphar after being falsely accused of inappropriate behavior and thrown into prison. He was also rejected by the two prisoners that he has interpreted dreams for. Joseph was rejected many times over and could have allowed it to take root in his heart. He could have let it discourage him so that he became bitter and angry. But he didn't.<br />
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If you study the Joseph way you'll find that every time he was rejected, he talked about God. At some point in his life, Joseph decided that his conversation was important in keeping him free from rejection's root. He decided that when he had an opportunity to be offended, he would talk about God.<br />
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So I encourage you to DECIDE TODAY WHAT YOU'LL SAY THEN!<br />
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If you nurse your hurt, it will take root in your heart. If you continually talk about your offense, it will take root in your heart. If you lay in bed at night and think about meditate on your rejection, it will take root in your heart.<br />
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Decide today what you'll say then! Make a choice that you will not allow your hurt, offense, or rejection get down in you. Think about now what you'll think about then. Be like Joseph and turn your focus to God. Let Him guide your thoughts and your words.<br />
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Don't be caught off guard. Decide today what you'll say then.<br />
Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-22437327966714449632014-10-06T13:32:00.001-04:002014-10-06T13:32:12.595-04:00The Me That I Used To Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There was a time that I loved The Church... Now that I have your attention, let me explain.<br />
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There was a time some years ago before I'd felt the sting of betrayal, the pain of lost relationships, and the agony of being lied about. It was during this season of my life that I was completely enamored with God's church. I could go to places that worshiped differently and find the beauty in each expression. Even if the worship weren't "my style" I saw the good in the diversity. I volunteered as a youth pastor at a local church and I spent Thursday afternoons preaching to the elderly at a nursing home. I loved God and I loved people.<br />
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However, life and ministry caused me to be guarded. I became careful to whom I give my heart. And I've found that I grew cold and cynical of others.<br />
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Now don't get me wrong, I LOVED the church I was a part of and the people that God had placed around me BUT something had changed... And I didn't like it!<br />
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As I was spending some time in worship I found myself missing the old me. The me that loved every arm of the church. The me that I used to be. And it was at this point that I heard myself praying a prayer before i was able to process what I was saying. I prayed, "God, restore to me a love for Your church."<br />
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Now for you that may not seem significant but for me it was a leap of faith. Or maybe you are like me...<br />
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You've become guarded, untrusting, waiting to see when you will be hurt again. And you need to pray a dangerous prayer as well. What prayer have you been avoiding? What area does God need to put His finger on in your life? In what way do you need to obey Him?<br />
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Let's talk...Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-77528819599527669642011-09-08T15:58:00.000-04:002011-09-08T15:58:32.176-04:00Are You RIGHT?This is the account of Noah and his family.<br />
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. (Genesis 6:9 NIV)<br />
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It is apparent from this scripture that Noah was considered righteous before God and it was made noticeable in two areas. First, Noah was RIGHT with others. It says that he was a blameless among the people of his time. In other words, he had the respect of those around him. He had the respect of those with whom he did business. He had the respect of his neighbors. He had the respect of his family. People may not have liked his personality, leadership style, or fashion sense but they couldn't deny his integrity. Noah was RIGHT with others.<br />
The other area that noticeably displays Noah's righteousness is that he was RIGHT with God. The scripture says that "he walked faithfully with God." Noah wasn't the type of guy who was passionately in love with God one day and skipping out on his devotions the next. Noah was faithful in his relationship with the Lord. That doesn't mean he didn't have his off days but that even when his senses didn't "feel" like it, his faith never failed. <br />
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So, what does this have to do with us? <br />
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Well, I want to be known like Noah. I want others to say of me after I'm gone that I was a righteous man. If I want that reputation in times to come I must cultivate the two areas of my life like Noah did his. I must make sure that I walk with integrity before god and people. I must do whatever it takes to gain the respect of those in my world and any areas that my integrity has been compromised already must be made right. We must work on our integrity financially, socially, and with our family. We must be RIGHT with people.<br />
Second, we must continually be faithful in our relationship with the Father. We won't be perfect but we can be faithful. Faithful in our prayer lives. Faithful in our bible reading. Faithful in our serving. Faithful in our giving. We must be RIGHT with God.<br />
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Pray with me right now:<br />
Father, forgive me for every area where I have allowed my integrity to be compromised. Help me to make things right and begin building my reputation as a person of integrity back again. Where it has been hurt beyond repair with others, please extend the grace to forgive to those I've hurt. Where I have been unfaithful in my walk with you, please forgive me. I stand before you now asking to be right again with you. Let nothing in my life under my control hold me back from living a life that can be described as a righteous life. Thank you for it now. Amen.Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-46150631250141664642011-03-21T18:08:00.001-04:002011-03-21T18:09:06.055-04:00Lone Ranger or Grave Robber?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg47__J5trjeeK5G5ZzMtnkf1PLnCyqWsrapejeaC_oO32T6leTisHtpK5AUyLdIGZICpPMIEK8-VBw-ShFryLH32QZiCXxXDhKM1biTcUCTNepYqzPn0sv76z6R-8e5YrXMko-r7JAezn/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg47__J5trjeeK5G5ZzMtnkf1PLnCyqWsrapejeaC_oO32T6leTisHtpK5AUyLdIGZICpPMIEK8-VBw-ShFryLH32QZiCXxXDhKM1biTcUCTNepYqzPn0sv76z6R-8e5YrXMko-r7JAezn/s1600/images-1.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">"Hi-yo Silver, away!!" That was the cry of the Lone Ranger as he would ride off into the sunset. Many of us think that our lot in life is to be that "Lone Ranger," spending life alone. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Alone defined means separated from others and while we are meant to retreat for short periods of time to be alone, we were never designed to live our life in that way. Religion has even perpetuated this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">isolationistic (I know that I probably just made that word up!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> mindset through teaching that we are to separate ourselves from the world and singing songs like "Me and Jesus got our own thing going." And let's not forget the ever-so-popular "I have decided to follow Jesus" which declares 'Though none go with me... still I will follow."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">We were never meant to live our lives alone. As a matter of fact, we will never come to know true freedom or come to full maturity in Christ outside of a loving community of faith. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">In John chapter eleven, we find Jesus hearing about the death of a dear friend named Lazarus. As he arrives in town, he is confronted by the sisters of the dearly departed. He is so moved with compassion for this family that he asks to be taken to the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">grave site</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> at which point he commands them to take the stone away from the opening. When they do, Jesus speaks to the dead friend telling him to get up and come out of the grave. To the surprise of the onlookers, out walks Lazarus.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Jesus treats us in much the same way. Until we entered into a committed relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible says that we were all, like Lazarus, dead. Only we were spiritually dead. There came a time... for me when I was fourteen years old, when Jesus spoke into the grave of my life and commanded life to enter my spirit and I walked out into a brand new life. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Now this is where the story takes an interesting turn. Lazarus comes walking out of the grave but he still has the grave clothes wrapped tightly around his body so that he could hardly move. Jesus now turns to the onlookers and commands them to set him free. "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." (John 11:44)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">It is like that in our lives as well! Jesus gives us life, but he delegates the process of freedom to the church. If we are alone, we have no one to assist us in taking off our grave clothes. We lack accountability. No one is there to ask the hard questions. And we have life in Christ, but we are still bound. Bound by habits. Bound by attitudes. Bound by wrong ways of thinking. Bound.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">So, today I ask you, who is being the church in your life? Who has to right to speak to the areas of your life that are holding you back? Who asks you the hard questions? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">And secondly, who are you helping to attain freedom? For whom are you being the church? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Let's talk...</span>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-55050019757815935122011-03-16T08:15:00.002-04:002011-03-16T08:37:59.486-04:00I Surrender<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJUeMoHJogWrY_BK3L1oud9ni5_t5bxFlbOoG5bCf1hnkHA7vrjMX5QPCVAD21Pz8dZu2C09psHDRiAK76hCzmFQLDL2srBzh5a0b3jX0t_gBa39aVHqbBsyNAg1BfHvAA306lKXTbqQ/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikDJUeMoHJogWrY_BK3L1oud9ni5_t5bxFlbOoG5bCf1hnkHA7vrjMX5QPCVAD21Pz8dZu2C09psHDRiAK76hCzmFQLDL2srBzh5a0b3jX0t_gBa39aVHqbBsyNAg1BfHvAA306lKXTbqQ/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584651505012254258" /></a>Philippians 4:13b (AMP)<div>"I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency."</div><div><br /></div><div>Most people spend their life for self-sufficiency. As a child we long for the day that we can get our drivers license. As a teenager, we long for our eighteenth birthday. As a young adult, we can't wait until we're twenty-one. We long for this place and every milestone seems to get us closer but none seem to fully get us there. The apostle Paul seemed to understand why. He knew that the only way we could ever become self-sufficient was when we had fully surrendered to Christ's sufficiency. </div><div><br /></div><div>William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army once said, "The greatness of a man's power is in the measure of his surrender." This appears to be a contradiction. How can we have great power when we are fully surrendered? How can we be self-sufficient when we completely rely on Christ's sufficiency? How can I be in charge when I am absolutely submitted?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, I don't completely understand that myself but I know that, according to the scripture, the only way to live a life that is pleasing to God is to surrender it fully to Him. And we were created to bring Him pleasure. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I have made up my mind. I want my life to make God smile. I want Him to be pleased. I want to bring Him joy. And so, I echo the words of Peter after a night of failed fishing. When Jesus asked him to cast the net back out, Peter replied, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO, I will let down the nets." </div><div><br /></div><div>Will you join me in having a "because you say so" lifestyle? </div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-22725843393462375252011-03-14T15:51:00.003-04:002011-03-14T16:08:45.492-04:00Beginning of the End<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzd4FDe6twn_eg6qD5F9F71HiVZezXNLbYsb3_aBUWDHkiGuC8579VensoDODE1DlyBMIaQJ7c4hizZ42IZrD2ScpEB5q7liHdr98HC-pzEsl103gsQfG5h15YdZmA6rTI60ZBGkqWsmD/s1600/290-126333990945734-David-Fry.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 356px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzd4FDe6twn_eg6qD5F9F71HiVZezXNLbYsb3_aBUWDHkiGuC8579VensoDODE1DlyBMIaQJ7c4hizZ42IZrD2ScpEB5q7liHdr98HC-pzEsl103gsQfG5h15YdZmA6rTI60ZBGkqWsmD/s400/290-126333990945734-David-Fry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584025822212610530" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For most people in the church, the title of this post would seem to indicate that I am going to talk about end times events. Maybe recent tragedies came to mind. Quite possibly you thought of the Left Behind book series. Well, let me put you at ease, I'm not talking about end times. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In Proverbs chapter one and the second half of verse 32, the writer makes an interesting statement when he says, "...the complacency of fools with destroy them."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">This jumped off of the page today as I read it because so many people I encounter live their lives in a state of complacency. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Now, of course, none of them would admit it if they were confronted about it. Most of us would not admit to living a complacent life. However, if we were to take a look at the definition of the word, it may describe more of us than we realize.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Complacency is defined as "an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction." Understanding that, most people who are complacent probably don't even realize that they are! They have just became so numb to life, and satisfied enough with their current situation, that they won't put up a fight to change. Maybe, you are that person... maybe I am. Have you been sick for so long with no hope of getting better that you just come to believe that is how it will always be? Maybe you have dreams of a better future, a happier marriage, a life free from depression but because you haven't seen a change in so long, you just quit trying. What about those who had big dreams... starting a business, launching a ministry, buying a dream home... but they let others talk them out of it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The writer of the proverb said that the day we began to live in complacency was the day that our destruction started. That was the beginning of the end. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">God never designed us to live like that. He created us with a purpose. He said that before we were formed, He already had plans for us. (And that those plans were good!) So today, if you realized that I just spent the last few minutes describing your life situation, please shake yourself out of your complacency! Ask the Father to reawaken the desires and dreams that you once knew. Allow the Holy Spirit to breath life into your imagination. And begin to dream again!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Don't let today be the beginning of the end. Make today the beginning of your future! How will you start living life today?</span></div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-89892800237184504832011-03-11T23:37:00.002-05:002011-03-11T23:50:14.693-05:00Just Do It...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRT7Cp6KZ5G1s433VTRbFt3WHeCKTDYPFua5CSjs4-2kG_d_d6WPWeektVVMHK-gztCSyrd-aJNV7nbnlOSTdzIfrjsV5OKv7l1wqdhxPdQ5FVGSne94Pz1B7gNwhYEA9TffKFMGbm3Rc/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRT7Cp6KZ5G1s433VTRbFt3WHeCKTDYPFua5CSjs4-2kG_d_d6WPWeektVVMHK-gztCSyrd-aJNV7nbnlOSTdzIfrjsV5OKv7l1wqdhxPdQ5FVGSne94Pz1B7gNwhYEA9TffKFMGbm3Rc/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583049170692776546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">John 2:5</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever He tells you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">As a child I remember hearing stories of Lacy Drew. He was a minister who travelled to speak at many local churches in our area. More than that, he was a man who truly knew the power of God. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Of all the stories that were told me of this general of the faith, one sticks out more than all the rest. It was a story concerning one of the messages that he ministered from this passage of scripture. It was a story that his life and his ministry were built upon. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Do whatever He tells you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Lacy Drew was known for his powerful sermons. He was known for his strong leadership But more than all of that, he was known for his unwavering obedience to the spirit of God.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Do whatever He tells you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So many people today base their decisions on many different things... career choices, opinions of others, financial abilities. However, what we must do is learn to hear and obey the voice of Jesus.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let's try it today....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> "Do whatever He tells you."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Tell me your stories. When was a time that you obeyed God? What were the results?</span></div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-38044898133837562502011-03-11T10:47:00.003-05:002011-03-11T10:57:10.406-05:00Grace and Truth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsbe0SiQ_XDwULPPSPC89sBhwuYTiBKlAjoh4WxHXik0V18oeIx-pYz63HjnZMbV-kMjLngJ8w42wThcwWNv_cOhNQa03-rbwnQnAu-69I9PDpBaxe3dD8kHxyAbV14ZqWfPVN3GGWuqT/s1600/Unknown.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsbe0SiQ_XDwULPPSPC89sBhwuYTiBKlAjoh4WxHXik0V18oeIx-pYz63HjnZMbV-kMjLngJ8w42wThcwWNv_cOhNQa03-rbwnQnAu-69I9PDpBaxe3dD8kHxyAbV14ZqWfPVN3GGWuqT/s400/Unknown.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582849516078445266" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">John 1:14</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">John 1:17</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">For the law was given to Moses; GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In the Old Covenant, God gave us His law, issued His commands to see if we would obey. What was revealed was that commands outside of relationship results in rebellion. Thus He sent Jesus... full of GRACE and TRUTH. Jesus possessed the TRUTH, the commands, the law BUT He also possessed GRACE. Before He presented the TRUTH, He always demonstrated GRACE.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">We must take the example of Jesus and make it our own. Christians have a tendency to want to control others to make them do the right thing. We want to be able to tell others how to live. We want to give truth but most of the time it is outside of the bounds of relationship. Without first having a relationship and allowing others to experience the GRACE of God in our lives, presenting TRUTH will only push others away. We must first be a person filled with grace because it is that grace that will open the door for others to hear the truth of the gospel. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, let's stop being mean-spirited believers and become grace filled Christ followers! Are you in?? Tell me your experiences in this!</span></div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-91832137078699943212011-03-11T00:14:00.003-05:002011-03-11T00:38:37.249-05:00In the Storm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY5VWXzxURmFhcyeaTHB4_Guq70nvlZy2_6zpHQqC4r7UM4e_G-G_pKyAFI99WSspdmdFbOC9S8g7km487S-6bMVOJnl8WIS_-2O4mSegvHXtxUNwKX2ma0YOtehcQH8z_AgJwUsXCWwe/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY5VWXzxURmFhcyeaTHB4_Guq70nvlZy2_6zpHQqC4r7UM4e_G-G_pKyAFI99WSspdmdFbOC9S8g7km487S-6bMVOJnl8WIS_-2O4mSegvHXtxUNwKX2ma0YOtehcQH8z_AgJwUsXCWwe/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582688298705579842" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Job 38:1 </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Then the Lord answered job out of the storm."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Most of the time when we face the storms of life we would like for God to stretch out His hand and calm them. We want to be relieved of the pain that this life brings. As Christians, we want healing, debt cancellation, deliverance... and we want it now! We have been conditioned to seek for medicine to ease the symptoms, alcohol to help us escape our reality. We use whatever we can get our hands on to alleviate the discomfort we experience. But God used the difficulties of Jobs life, the pain he experienced... the storm to speak to him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">If we would honestly pinpoint the times in which we drew the closest to the Lord, most of them would be in times of pain, frustration and difficulty. Maybe we should stop spending all of our time asking God to remove the storms from our lives and learn how to respond to our storm in a manner that would bring Him the most glory.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I recently heard a statement by a popular minister that said, "You will not be greatly used of God until you have been greatly wounded." And I think that may be true. If we look through the scripture, it wasn't the norm for the Father to alleviate the troubles of his followers. In most instances, God asked that we respond IN those circumstances with a God-like attitude. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So what storm are you facing right now? What is it that is causing you the most pain? Stop asking for God to remove the storm and begin to ask Him to speak to you in the midst of it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let's talk about it... What is God speaking to you in your most current storm?</span> </div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-81346484714156952362011-03-09T15:01:00.001-05:002011-03-09T15:01:54.365-05:00Eddie James Ministry<object width="429" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=8bee4b3a9884102ea6fd001ec92a4a0d&z=SCP&embed_player=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://vp.mgnetwork.net/viewer.swf?u=8bee4b3a9884102ea6fd001ec92a4a0d&z=SCP&embed_player=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="429" height="295"></embed></object>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-8224699705314554052011-03-09T13:42:00.003-05:002011-03-09T13:58:59.071-05:00A Leader or People Pleaser?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXU1y2dSnQBAkyWADOFTpTJmrLgZAfnj62QDjEf1X4UbA5ehpabx5sMQShfZNFv8fM6Ur9xI6-a8x4Pav_1j-rEz4aLnpQFJppomWvpgCENTPDWkYZ1V8apBXQfxujo0nKhf3epbI63UU/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXU1y2dSnQBAkyWADOFTpTJmrLgZAfnj62QDjEf1X4UbA5ehpabx5sMQShfZNFv8fM6Ur9xI6-a8x4Pav_1j-rEz4aLnpQFJppomWvpgCENTPDWkYZ1V8apBXQfxujo0nKhf3epbI63UU/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582154036090307970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Luke 23:23 (</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">NIV</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. "</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">True leaders base their decisions on the principles that guide their organization and their personal morals. That is what Pilate should have done. He had previously informed the people that he found no reason to sentence Jesus to the death penalty. Yet, the more they shouted the more he caved. In the end, the voice of truth was overpowered by the shout of the crowd.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">As a leader, there will be many opportunities to cave under the pressure of the opinions and demands of those whom you are supposed to be leading. However, when you cave to every desire of the crowd, you cease to be a leader and they in turn begin to lead you. It is in these times, when the shout of the crowd is loud and the demands are strong that true leadership must emerge. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Will you be willing to make the tough calls, the right calls or will the innate desire to please those around you win out? Will you be a principle-based leader or will you be just another people </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">pleaser</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What do you have to say?</span></div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-37317936667314976202011-03-08T07:56:00.002-05:002011-03-08T08:11:58.689-05:00An Empty Canvas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxohNyAiE_pfF5ujgo-d1-gFWP3YzGwxDX7E4dLo06O9gVozx8F1iIZGvNCw78Bb9GnrNJQA0fE2EA_pobDa7yCVsplejw-mGN2GyjC3QVwtIvjPDAeLqrtk39MTRCYkv2ZDn6Yh4jgvZ/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxohNyAiE_pfF5ujgo-d1-gFWP3YzGwxDX7E4dLo06O9gVozx8F1iIZGvNCw78Bb9GnrNJQA0fE2EA_pobDa7yCVsplejw-mGN2GyjC3QVwtIvjPDAeLqrtk39MTRCYkv2ZDn6Yh4jgvZ/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581692823759286162" /></a>Psalm 139:15 (Message)<div>"You know me inside and out, You know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something."</div><div><br /></div><div>The psalmist is acknowledging here God's intensive knowledge of our live. He knows us inside and out. He knows all of our limitations. He knows all of our insecurities. He knows all of our failures. On the other hand, He knows all of our gifts, all of our strengths and all of our successes. </div><div><br /></div><div>How? He knows exactly how we were made! We were formed with His purpose in mind! Everything about our makeup was intentional.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the most touching thing about this psalm is the final line. "I was sculpted from nothing into something." There are many times when we feel the "nothingness." Our lives seem to tank, we feel as though we can't get it right but we can take solace in the fact that He is taking us from nothingness and making us into something! </div><div><br /></div><div>As a child we used to sing a chorus that said it all:</div><div><br /></div><div>Something beautiful, something good</div><div>All my desires He understood</div><div>All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife</div><div>But He made something beautiful of my life.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to remind us today that God is in the midst of making something of your life. You may not see it from where you stand but hang on to hope that He who began a good work in you WILL complete it!</div><div><br /></div><div>My prayer today comes from a worship chorus that Pastor Clint Brown wrote. Maybe you can find yourself praying this as well...</div><div><br /></div><div>My life is Your canvas, so paint</div><div>I tried it on my own and it turned out all wrong</div><div>So with Your hands of mercy and gentle hands of grace</div><div>You select each color, fill in every space</div><div>I don't want to risk it to fate</div><div>My life is Your canvas, so paint </div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-15677600762361130712011-03-07T14:49:00.003-05:002011-03-07T15:02:39.104-05:00Push Past The Noise<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFkPT0CALOzuhpwPWtYHFwmar83_t3MY_bK1VQDf7Qc3TvL4dPqtGIsQq3gVCuKqcpMNRzsqkR2fqlio2wSDp5nwmod3Fjcuutl8Zju9WPZ1jpjjjqZEfUiVk2qE5QDHN90weXZ_LT9Ci/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFkPT0CALOzuhpwPWtYHFwmar83_t3MY_bK1VQDf7Qc3TvL4dPqtGIsQq3gVCuKqcpMNRzsqkR2fqlio2wSDp5nwmod3Fjcuutl8Zju9WPZ1jpjjjqZEfUiVk2qE5QDHN90weXZ_LT9Ci/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581428022921325106" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Job 36:15 </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; HE SPEAKS TO THEM IN THEIR AFFLICTION."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">In this passage of scripture, Job's friends are in the midst of giving him reasons why he is experiencing the difficulties in his life. They believe that there has to be some rational explanation for his suffering. However, in the middle of their tirades, Elihu says something that speaks to me. He says something that hold much truth in this season of my life when he says... "He speaks to them in their affliction."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">So, I've made up my mind! Instead of allowing the adversity of life, the opinions of others, and whatever difficulty I may find myself in to discourage and defeat me, I'm going to use this time to press in to God as hard as I can. Maybe you are there too. Join me in this! I believe that if we listen closely, beyond the chaos and confusion, beyond the backstabbing and the accusations, God Himself is trying to speak to us. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Maybe, just maybe, this is all just a distraction. The enemy knows that if we hear what God is trying to speak to us in this time, our lives will be radically and eternally transformed. All we have to do is push past the noise to hear His voice.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">What is God trying to speak to you in the midst of your suffering?</span></div>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-81157084819399175822011-02-24T11:19:00.006-05:002011-02-24T20:18:16.437-05:00Martha, Martha...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXuyVnhoXsRHJXKR0fSZ9jmiW3Bc2K-819Z3NQcJ5aHHqFGBkf9j9B5ym1ha1ChsSfQ09p2jP4YKtAb7dq4q2uI-OLrU-Fft8kxpltU_nMsDzUnTBQ3g4tPBVirJJZp_zsu1bpsrMw_xg/s1600/worried.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCXuyVnhoXsRHJXKR0fSZ9jmiW3Bc2K-819Z3NQcJ5aHHqFGBkf9j9B5ym1ha1ChsSfQ09p2jP4YKtAb7dq4q2uI-OLrU-Fft8kxpltU_nMsDzUnTBQ3g4tPBVirJJZp_zsu1bpsrMw_xg/s400/worried.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577429226047040114" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Verdana, sans-seif;"><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- font-weight: inherit; font-style: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;font-size:15px;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:-webkit-xxx-large;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; font-style: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Luke 10:38-42</span></strong></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;font-size:15px;color:initial;"><span class="verse Luke_10_38" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "></strong></span></span><span class="verse Luke_10_38" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">38</span></i></span></span></strong><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.</span></span></span></i></span><span class="verse Luke_10_39" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.3em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">39</span></span></span></i></strong><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.</span></span></span></i></span><span class="verse Luke_10_40" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.3em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">40</span></span></span></i></strong><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"</span></span></span></i></span><span class="verse Luke_10_41" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">41</span></span></span></i></strong><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></i><span class="wordsofchrist" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"Martha, Martha,"</span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> the Lord answered, </span></span></span></i><span class="wordsofchrist" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">"you are worried and upset about many things,</span></span></span></i></span></span><span class="verse Luke_10_42" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.3em; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; cursor: pointer; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">42</span></span></span></i></strong><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> </span></span></span></i><span class="wordsofchrist" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">but few things are needed—</span></span></span></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">or indeed only one.</span></span></span></i><span class="trans" title="42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 1px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 1px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; vertical-align: 3px; cursor: pointer; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">t</span></span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;"> Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."</span></span></span></i></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;font-size:15px;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">As I was reading this morning during my quiet time, something struck me about this passage of scripture. Martha was distracted (we all know that) but later when she complains to Jesus about Mary's lack of help, Jesus diagnoses her. He says "you are worried and upset about many things."</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Isn't that the case for many of us? There are so many things in our lives that cause us worry or upset us... the bills we can't seem to catch up on, the sickness that just won't go away, the marriage that we can't seem to save, our child who just keeps rebelling... in essence, life. These things consume our minds. We struggle with our daily responsibilities because we just can't focus... we are so distracted. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Distracted... that is what Martha was. She was distracted because she was worried and upset about many things. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">One of the strategies of the enemy is to keep us from being focused on God's will for our lives. If he can keep us worried about a lot of other things or upset about things that we can't control, then we'll not stay focused on pursuing our personal purpose. </span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">I don't know what the distractions in your life are but I know that I have my own and unless I decide, like Mary, to refuse to allow those things to control my thought life, I will miss it as well. So let's make a decision together to follow Mary's example and keep focused on Jesus. Forget about the other stuff, the upsetting things. Let's decide together to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Let's choose to cast our cares on Him knowing that He cares for us. Let's not allow the enemy to keep us from completing our assignment another day. </span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.4em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline- vertical-align: baseline; font-family:inherit;color:initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">Let's start now...</span></p></span>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-11658400911893493502010-12-25T20:23:00.000-05:002010-12-25T20:23:06.194-05:00The Shepherds Pt. 5<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u_JGJwK4uEA?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-10367087057726564482010-12-25T20:22:00.000-05:002010-12-25T20:22:23.954-05:00The Shepherds Pt. 4<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_7CYEXhNfXs?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-59805632874095255952010-12-25T20:21:00.001-05:002010-12-25T20:21:40.981-05:00The Shepherds Pt. 3<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ESEc7qs6yCo?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-60350994803255280812010-12-25T20:21:00.000-05:002010-12-25T20:21:03.484-05:00The Shepherds Pt. 2<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BVtyAF2B-Uo?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2143246580411150717.post-61513558123142816332010-12-25T20:20:00.000-05:002010-12-25T20:20:12.327-05:00The Shepherds Pt. 1<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SOiCTrUNZ1I?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Chuckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06202393048907669285noreply@blogger.com0