tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57020272254451391332024-02-22T06:28:21.057-05:00The Yaug BlogA little bit of everything.Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.comBlogger875125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-43097320335339901542024-02-22T06:27:00.002-05:002024-02-22T06:27:38.688-05:00Return to Your Rest<p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0bQl1dJZFODbZ3mVU_WGd5IkPnXLLx-Llw6EB2hbQGpx2BQdGYDjqo7VyGYoAx_MkimKhrWz_A0-yMESZ98TGlJXqdeTWJj23lmwt9d0KFblGCpzuxRmXF3dB3mP7T7SYCyWytJzPUcmnnvoXqRBVERMGRmG7U3sGcL_J4z1RCVzK_tmY19A7WwddWSq/s815/Dwelldigitalkit_July-03_900x.png.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="815" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0bQl1dJZFODbZ3mVU_WGd5IkPnXLLx-Llw6EB2hbQGpx2BQdGYDjqo7VyGYoAx_MkimKhrWz_A0-yMESZ98TGlJXqdeTWJj23lmwt9d0KFblGCpzuxRmXF3dB3mP7T7SYCyWytJzPUcmnnvoXqRBVERMGRmG7U3sGcL_J4z1RCVzK_tmY19A7WwddWSq/s320/Dwelldigitalkit_July-03_900x.png.webp" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;">Wednesday morning I was reading in Psalm 116. Verse 7 reads: “Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.” As I was reading, I was prompted to ask myself a question: What does my soul rest in? </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;">When the Hebrew word for "soul" is used in the Old Testament, the vast majority of the times it’s used to describe a “longing or a craving.” You could even describe it as a “nagging.” The word describes a part of our being longing to be filled, longing for something to give it worth and value. Our soul craves to be loved. Our soul craves to be secure. Our soul craves purpose and meaning and significance. These cravings will demand our attention. They will create a restlessness in our soul. But here the Psalmist invites his soul to return to its “rest.” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;">How so? </span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">By remembering that “the LORD has been good to you.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">That phrase in verse 7 is sandwiched between verses 5, 6 and 8. In verses 5 and 6 the Psalmist says, “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is compassionate … I was helpless and he saved me.” In verse 8 he writes, “For you, LORD, rescued me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.” The Psalmist is speaking to his restless soul and essentially saying, “If I seek rest in what is temporary, I will always be restless.” The reason so many people still feel restless is because God, the Creator of our souls, has a sense of obligation to keep our souls dissatisfied until we find our rest in Him. Our souls can return to their place of rest by turning to God and remembering that He is good, He is kind, He is compassionate. His love endures … always.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">If you feel restless today, that restlessness itself could be the very voice of Jesus saying, “You’ve tried everything else. Why not just come to me.” Jesus calls those weary from their work. He calls those burdened with stress. He calls those bored with the everyday-ness of life. He calls those exhausted with worry. “Come to me. I will give you rest.” “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him … Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from him.” ~ Psalm 62:1, 5</span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-57715868752491051462024-01-30T07:00:00.001-05:002024-01-30T07:00:16.513-05:00Consider the Birds<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBVq6BJhIMwDImdymEfS0kdQ6VdXyCk3fj-1Au2B2VTJ4QaTM_9UJlXjTwM1jgUBDOdeZQDCon-GrD6EC4giollxUS_e4LzSsgwr9DMIDJ7OIYquu2ib7DsOyOLrWB0FAnAhXwPhnsR0vth-d0bSv1v7FQ2-5FUXrewLmu41Q0KW01khAuQwH4evZxlXN/s550/bird.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="550" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBVq6BJhIMwDImdymEfS0kdQ6VdXyCk3fj-1Au2B2VTJ4QaTM_9UJlXjTwM1jgUBDOdeZQDCon-GrD6EC4giollxUS_e4LzSsgwr9DMIDJ7OIYquu2ib7DsOyOLrWB0FAnAhXwPhnsR0vth-d0bSv1v7FQ2-5FUXrewLmu41Q0KW01khAuQwH4evZxlXN/s320/bird.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We recently had several inches of snow in our area. It was our first significant snowfall in a couple of years. I enjoy the snow and while driving one day and admiring the blanket of winter’s best work (or worst work, depending on your point of view), I noticed a bird walking along the surface of the snow seemingly looking for something to eat. It was having no luck at all and was acting in a very curious way, almost as if it was thinking, “What is this cold, powdery stuff that is making it so hard to find my next meal?!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">That same day I stopped at the store and noticed an elderly couple purchasing a couple of bags of bird food containing a gourmet mixture of tasty goodness for their feathery friends. It was then that I was reminded of Jesus’ words: <b>“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”</b> (Matthew 7:26) There are various ways our “heavenly Father feeds them,” but one way is through the kindness and compassion of someone who sees their need and desires to meet it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Jesus goes on to say, <b>“Are you not much more valuable than they?” <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I was encouraged and challenged. First, I was encouraged as I was reminded of the kindness and generosity others have shown my family and I over the years. That kindness rarely came because we asked for it. Most of the time, the generosity we experienced happened because someone noticed our need and felt led to move toward it. In the times that we needed help, I often remember praying, “God, my propensity is to worry. I do that so much! But instead of worrying I choose to bring my worry to you and trust that You know what we need.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Bible teaches that God is the God who sees us (Genesis 16:13). I believe that to be true, but I have often experienced that truth because another saw a need for our family and decided to move toward it.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> Through their kindness in big and small ways, Scripture came alive to me and my faith was encouraged. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I was also challenged. I was challenged to remember not only the kindness and generosity of others but, even more so, the kindness and generosity of God Himself. God is full of loving-kindness and generosity and the gift of Jesus reveals that to us. He saw a need, our need for salvation, and <b>“He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”</b> I’m reminded of<b> “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”</b> (2 Corinthians 8:9) The more I remember how kind God is and how much I have received from Him, the more I want to help others with what God has given to me. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We can guilted into giving, but we cannot be guilted into generosity. Guilt may motivate me to give today, but generosity is the result of a life restored by grace. Grace will motivate me to be generous for a lifetime. As we turn our eyes toward a kind and generous God, our eyes begin to see opportunities to be kind and generous ourselves, providing us the opportunity to allow the truth of God’s word to become a felt reality in the life of another. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">How may the Lord work through you today?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-10982410922098782502024-01-02T15:39:00.004-05:002024-01-02T16:01:45.577-05:00We Go on Because It's 11:30<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxCtSziIYHJOL2HryEANVxeqe3Y8h5G6QmBEPWsVR0POjVPrQIRUVNP5QgE8GZX5G0bav7-pNoq4_NSewpz5HkB-OOuTbsYaeaKI2S2D1qSmU3cA8_LNZWc_nkvSZ-RMtrgaAx2yeYmQyIepPeeZoDj-7-wbsaJr_tPSnjB6B3dWkR7ib9HqcWJ4gONM4/s1024/SNL.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="990" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxCtSziIYHJOL2HryEANVxeqe3Y8h5G6QmBEPWsVR0POjVPrQIRUVNP5QgE8GZX5G0bav7-pNoq4_NSewpz5HkB-OOuTbsYaeaKI2S2D1qSmU3cA8_LNZWc_nkvSZ-RMtrgaAx2yeYmQyIepPeeZoDj-7-wbsaJr_tPSnjB6B3dWkR7ib9HqcWJ4gONM4/s320/SNL.jpeg" width="309" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A few years ago I watched a documentary on the 1975 debut of Saturday Night Live. I used to really enjoy watching the show, but I honestly do not watch it much anymore because, well, I'm getting old. The only way I'd make it to 11:30pm these days is with a defibrillator in hand! Thankfully, the documentary was on while the sun was still shining, so I didn’t have to stay up past my increasingly earlier bedtime. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The documentary was fascinating. It explained how the idea of the show came about and how the original cast was chosen. One of the really interesting things the creator of the show, Lorne Michaels, said about the first season of SNL is, <b>"We didn't go on because we were ready. We went on because it was 11:30."</b> He spoke to the fact that, since it was a live show, they were going to be on TV if they were ready to do it or not. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">That quote has stayed with me. It has challenged me as well because I can be very guilty of thinking I need everything to be “perfect” before taking steps forward. I often try to make sure I have this right and that right and this planned and that planned. I'm certainly not against planning and preparing, but the problem is that waiting until everything is perfect will always keep me waiting because things will never be “perfect.” I also recognize that what I often call “trying to make sure everything is right” is often me just being afraid to step out. Jon Acuff wrote: <b>"Regardless of your age or station in life, it all comes down to one simple truth: you just have to start ... the only line you completely control is the starting line."</b> </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As we step into 2024, is there something you simply need to start? Don't worry about the finish at this point. So many factors go in to the finish. Don't worry about making sure everything is perfect. Just start. "But, I'm so far from where I want to be." Just start. "I used to be able to run 10 miles. I can barely run 1 these days." Just start. "I haven't spent time with God in ages." Just start. "I'm not sure I know how to reconnect with my wife." Just start. "I'm not content with my job, but I wouldn't even know how to begin looking for something else." Just start. "I haven't really 'talked' with my teenager for a long time. How could I ever get back in touch with him/her?" Just start. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Your starting line may be different than mine, but it’s there just waiting to be crossed. It's 11:30. We're live. Ready or not, a new year has begun. Just start.</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-34833635310878221542023-12-24T12:45:00.000-05:002023-12-24T12:45:19.146-05:00What Child Is This?<p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe5OBywCRO-519M1C1_sbPZLFmpy0X3LJ08eaVSEuxqrYH25W5nL72ihvc53ykY-K3Xhh-ZF6O5UdBztkcSnVKze8aJiGXNkbbOUU3KsU1JTqD_64mD1gY1mr8maIYyckljx49sIpWRQQ7UU_TcCmn_0r-NwGZc3y3_wySUSVr8QzR1HEBTVMMt4OSTAX/s1500/What+Child+is+This.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe5OBywCRO-519M1C1_sbPZLFmpy0X3LJ08eaVSEuxqrYH25W5nL72ihvc53ykY-K3Xhh-ZF6O5UdBztkcSnVKze8aJiGXNkbbOUU3KsU1JTqD_64mD1gY1mr8maIYyckljx49sIpWRQQ7UU_TcCmn_0r-NwGZc3y3_wySUSVr8QzR1HEBTVMMt4OSTAX/s320/What+Child+is+This.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">God could have chosen to enter the world in any way, yet this is how He chose to do it, as a helpless baby born in the most unpredictable of ways and in the most obscure of places. If I were God, this is not how I would have chosen to do it. If I were God, I would have wanted people to see my power first. No doubt I would have flashed some lightning, rolled some thunder, and flexed my muscles just to let people know who they were dealing with.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">If God just wanted us to fall on our faces before Him, that’s all that He would have needed to do. Babies are cute and all, but not necessarily awe-inspiring. But, as Jesus said in <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Matt 20.28" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2020.28" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bf7c2f; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Matthew 20:28</a>, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” The only way for that to happen was for Jesus to be wrapped not just in swaddling cloths, but to be wrapped in humanity.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The fancy word for this is Incarnation. And what God does through the Incarnation is mind-boggling. One person said that it would have been easier to fit all the water of the oceans into a thimble than to fit the fullness of God into a body, yet somehow this is exactly what God did. Remaining what He was, He became what He was not. He became fully human without ever ceasing to be fully God.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">But why? The writer of Hebrews helps us: “Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death that is, the devil.”</span><span class="s2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">1<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Who are “the children?” That’s you and me. What do we share? We share the fact that we’re all human… “flesh and blood.” With so many divides in our country right now, it’s important to remember that what we all share is far greater than what separates us. We all share our humanity. It doesn’t matter where we live, the color of our skin, the economic status of our family, or the job that we have or do not have… we’re all born, we age, and then we die. This makes us more like each other than unlike each other. And since “the children” who God loved and wanted to save were “flesh and blood,” he wrapped Himself in “flesh and blood” to “destroy the one who has the power of death.” Christ had to become one of us to accomplish this.</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Think about it. Every one of us has been born and every one of us will die. But Jesus is the only Person to ever choose to be born so that he could die. John Piper said it like this: “Jesus didn’t have a body. He could not die. And yet he wanted to die for you. So, he planned the whole thing by clothing himself with a body so that he could get hungry and get weary and get sore feet.”</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you have children, you may remember seeing the first ultrasound and being so excited to see your little boy or little girl for the first time. My wife Carol signed up for weekly emails that would describe the formation of our baby like this: At 6 weeks baby’s nose and mouth are starting to take shape… at 10 weeks fingernails and toenails are starting to form… at 20 weeks baby is the size of a banana… at 34 weeks baby’s nervous system and lungs are nearly fully matured. It was so fun to read those messages and discover how our babies were taking shape. But, if Mary had been able to receive similar messages about Jesus as his body was forming in her womb, they would have said: Baby’s head is being formed so a crown of thorns could be placed upon it. Baby’s hands are being formed for nails to be driven into them. Baby’s skin is being formed so the whip can tear into it. Baby’s cheeks are being formed so he can be betrayed by a kiss.</span><span class="s2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">2<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">“This is real love – not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”</span><span class="s2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">3<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;">How much must God love us to move toward us, to become one of us? He chose to love us and He demonstrated that love by becoming one of us, living the perfect life that we could not live and then by pouring out his wrath against sin upon Himself and taking the punishment that we so justly deserve. Jesus took our punishment and gave us his righteousness. “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!”</span><span class="s2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">4</span></span></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Montserrat, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="s2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; bottom: 0.8em; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 8.5px; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Montserrat, serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;">NOTES</p><ol class="ol1" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); color: #666666; font-family: Montserrat, serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="li2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Heb 2.14" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb%202.14" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bf7c2f; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hebrews 2:14 ESV</a></span></li><li class="li2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This paragraph was adapted from something I heard from John Piper</span></li><li class="li2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 John 4.10" data-version="nlt" href="https://biblia.com/bible/nlt/1%20John%204.10" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bf7c2f; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 John 4:10 NLT</a></span></li><li class="li2" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-size: small; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="2 Cor 9.15" data-version="esv" href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%209.15" style="background: none; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #bf7c2f; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV</a></span></li></ol>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-72818712155194003262023-11-08T07:05:00.002-05:002023-11-08T07:05:30.333-05:00Little Children <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2YdRnRcV8lAtJzvFicWobNbRGfKb2_y4eysL7_ImvgOV-NQucsR4wjFGewzLaZllFWDDcTkZQ-U-T_oxaV_rjbGbQ2RcCUkkm-n4ZPiqzhb-9eincf4JE_TxELMS7gpPF63IVqiWyTWiKtxNjL1Tamad3Zrip2j1DAoEdUuqFbwf8NPPNSSgw3RBj5_W/s800/70129-gettyimages-rawpixel-childrengroup.800w.tn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="800" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2YdRnRcV8lAtJzvFicWobNbRGfKb2_y4eysL7_ImvgOV-NQucsR4wjFGewzLaZllFWDDcTkZQ-U-T_oxaV_rjbGbQ2RcCUkkm-n4ZPiqzhb-9eincf4JE_TxELMS7gpPF63IVqiWyTWiKtxNjL1Tamad3Zrip2j1DAoEdUuqFbwf8NPPNSSgw3RBj5_W/s320/70129-gettyimages-rawpixel-childrengroup.800w.tn.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">The phrase “little children” is used 9 times in the Bible with 7 of those times being in 1 John. It's a phrase that John seems to use very intentionally.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">My wife and I have four children. They aren’t so little anymore. Carol and I look back fondly, though, to when they were little. It was such a special time for us. They wanted to be with us. They wanted to hold our hands. They wanted to be in the same room as us. They were always vying for our attention and so willing to ask for our help. When they were little, my lap was the most popular seat in the house, and they would sit on me until I couldn’t feel my feet any longer! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Our kids are getting older now and Carol and I are experiencing their natural and healthy desire for autonomy. They still like being with us, but there is a search for independence. They are breaking away from us more and more … more time spent in their rooms, more time spent with their friends, less time spent with us, more time trying to “prove” they can do something on their own. I get it. It’s a healthy and needed part of our kids getting older, but I must say I do miss the circulation being cut off in my feet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As kids mature, it’s natural to want to separate from parents, to strive for independence, to make their own way and forge their own path. As we mature in our life with Jesus, though, it should be the opposite. Part of our spiritual maturity means moving from being independent to being more and more dependent … just like a little child. In Matthew 18:2 – 4 we read, “Jesus called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<b><sup> </sup></b>Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;">I can’t become like a little child without confessing that I need help, without confessing that maybe I’m not as strong as I think I am. The best way for me to recognize if I’m depending on God or depending on myself is to look at my prayer life. Dependency is really the heartbeat of prayer. </span><span style="line-height: 1.2;">“According to Jesus, acknowledging our neediness opens the door to genuine and lasting happiness. Religions usually talk about what a person has to "do", but Jesus talks about what we "can't do". He says that our weakness, not our power or what we bring to God, enables us to know God.”</span><span style="line-height: 1.2;"> (Paul Miller: A Praying Life)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">1 John 2:28 says, “And now little children, abide in him.” The message we often hear is “try harder, do more, be better.” Maybe that’s the message you heard as a child. What impact did that have on your relationship with your parents? Maybe that’s the message you hear in church. How does that affect you? “Try harder, do more, be better” is not Jesus’ message to you. His message is “abide in me … be with me … I enjoy you so much … come sit on my lap … I will give you what you need … my grace is sufficient … when you are weak, then you are strong.” If you are depending on Him more at the end of this day than you were at the beginning, you’re right where He wants you to be and becoming more like a little child.</span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-2801246935379860672023-11-01T16:47:00.005-04:002023-11-02T14:51:32.529-04:00A Lasting Impact<p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMYwZ_OebawBa-FdpnUGLd-0TiTBZU1k8ZBZBdttvhCac3l89DirpbICtgRd5IcVu76SyNQFjnraCnf2EoDlky5A7gVn1uVDUgrX5M5fcQ2PTxrRjq8fTGrJEFncpQ9MRMZysd-kB-28-bv4FOPX-Y_nAGoodc7tw_o5lAs32lx7m9oJLVuIKWJ6ncDXi/s480/3656E345-756C-44B1-A1B0-9DBCE087A4A5_4_5005_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMYwZ_OebawBa-FdpnUGLd-0TiTBZU1k8ZBZBdttvhCac3l89DirpbICtgRd5IcVu76SyNQFjnraCnf2EoDlky5A7gVn1uVDUgrX5M5fcQ2PTxrRjq8fTGrJEFncpQ9MRMZysd-kB-28-bv4FOPX-Y_nAGoodc7tw_o5lAs32lx7m9oJLVuIKWJ6ncDXi/s320/3656E345-756C-44B1-A1B0-9DBCE087A4A5_4_5005_c.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">My brother-in-law died unexpectedly in April of this year. For much of his adult life, he cut, split, and sold firewood. The much cooler temperatures this morning meant that I was able to start a fire in our fireplace with kindling my brother-in-law had split over the years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">When we were helping clean out his home after his death, my father-in-law suggested that I take some of his kindling because there was a whole lot of it! Well, this morning, 6 months after his death, I was able to put it to use. I was struck by the fact that, even in this small way, my brother-in-law continues to have an impact on our lives even after his death. The work he put in while on this earth, quite literally, helps warm my family today. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;">James, in chapter 4:14, asks the question, “What is your life?” He then answers by saying, “You are a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (LSB) Using that kindling to start the fire this morning was a reminder to me that how I choose to live can either leave nothing behind or something behind. In the big scheme of things, each of our lives is relatively short. But our impact doesn’t have to be. </span><span style="line-height: 1.2;">Imagine getting to the end of your life … looking out at the great multitude mentioned in Revelation 7, and hearing someone say that they are here because of you … they are here because you did the small things that made a big difference. You chose to get involved in their life in some way. You pointed me to Jesus. Imagine standing with that great multitude and having someone tap you on the shoulder and say, "I just want you to know that the way you cared, the way you listened, the way you gave sacrificially had an impact on my life even after your death."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In 1 John 2, John reminds of the dangers of loving this world and the desires of the world. He then says, </span></span><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">“Do not love the world</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">." </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Why</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">? </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b>The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” </b>(1 John 2:17)<b> </b></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-family: helvetica; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">f you think of that in business terms, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">who</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-image: var(--urlContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2, url("data:image/svg+xml;base64,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")); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat-x; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">would</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> invest in a company that </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">they</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> knew was going to tank?</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who would take their </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">hard-earned money</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> and put it into a company that was going to go out of business in a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">week or two</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">? </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">None of us would do that </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">IF</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> we knew th</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">at was going to happen</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Well, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">God, in His kindness, is telling us the future. </span></span><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span class="TextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-variant-ligatures: none; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;" xml:lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> telling us to not invest in the business of the world’s ways because the world's ways (live for yourself, take care of yourself first, if it feels good do it, etc) ... all that is going to pass away and if that's all you've lived for, you'll end up with nothing. So, i</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW131739045 BCX9" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nvest in what will last. </span></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW131739045 BCX9" data-ccp-props="{}" face=""Kannada Sangam MN", "Kannada Sangam MN_EmbeddedFont", "Kannada Sangam MN_MSCustomFont", "Kannada Sangam MN_MSFontService", sans-serif" style="-webkit-user-drag: none; background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-ligatures: normal; line-height: 28.0583px; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”</b> ~ Jesus</span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-33501513456733903632023-10-03T21:28:00.000-04:002023-10-03T21:28:01.044-04:00We Are 3/4 of the Way Through 2023. How Are You Feeling?<p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaW_2yfa1bUAw5tyAwGHFegJPG7E0YZSGTQNKmY_343TfeAjEeDdPHcDWpa_pcE72lJ5o0rtJED_Z_nQ66-OjHRwE0yNBEM-nN4ET_5zxOR7ztPe2EHH0NkJsGeXLOjSp2fGhvLtzGvtR7e2lEn3gCr0L64OYJgDhF5JQC7LaIn0PqmHq6SmmfOwT5LN9/s887/Screenshot%202023-10-03%20at%209.26.33%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="887" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaW_2yfa1bUAw5tyAwGHFegJPG7E0YZSGTQNKmY_343TfeAjEeDdPHcDWpa_pcE72lJ5o0rtJED_Z_nQ66-OjHRwE0yNBEM-nN4ET_5zxOR7ztPe2EHH0NkJsGeXLOjSp2fGhvLtzGvtR7e2lEn3gCr0L64OYJgDhF5JQC7LaIn0PqmHq6SmmfOwT5LN9/s320/Screenshot%202023-10-03%20at%209.26.33%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In 2010 I ran my first marathon. It was slow. It was painful. It was ugly. At one point I literally thought I was going to die, or at least I wanted to die. I didn’t … and I finished. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The word <b>endurance</b> as a noun means “the power of enduring a difficult situation without giving way.” If I use it as a verb, to <b>endure</b> means “to remain in existence.” The ability to endure never happens quickly and, while I often wish there were another way, endurance is only developed through the act of enduring. Sometimes I have the idealistic thought that to endure means my endurance has to be joyful and pretty. My idealistic tendencies cause me to believe that enduring means I shouldn’t hurt my way through something, sweat my way through something, or get weary in the midst of whatever it is that I am enduring. But endurance isn’t always pretty, and it’s not always done with a smile. And just because I endure, it doesn’t mean I will always finish on top. I may very well finish dead last. But what endurance does mean is whether I’m running, walking, limping, crawling, or clawing across the finish line … I finish. The only way to know if you’ve endured is to actually endure, no matter what the endurance looks like.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #212121;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">We are ¾ of the way through 2023. You may be weary. You may not be as healthy physically as you were in January. You may find yourself emotionally exhausted. You may be frustrated, confused, lonely, and wishing things were different in your life. In short, you may not feel at your “best.” If you haven’t quite become the “better” version of yourself like you thought you might at the beginning of 2023, find hope in knowing that God doesn’t really ask us to become ... well ... “more better.” He asks us to become more dependent. If you are depending on Him more now than you were in January, you’re right where He wants you to be. The Lord is teaching you to endure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As Priscilla Shire said, “God is not mad at you because your body is tired or your mind is frayed or your soul is unusually heavy. Instead, He stands patiently ready to minister to you, to work through those deficiencies and to nourish you as you recover from them.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“Not only that, be we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3 – 5) </span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-4069587261439427932023-09-06T21:30:00.002-04:002023-09-06T21:30:43.719-04:00Do Not Despise Small Beginnings <p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaRxTKEzXx15AWNlGgs6nUq41dsZe5C0phq69E1GKyXWXKRUSOfPVPn1CA8qumFYt1pLIgbp36HUmguNl6FryjhE0M5ZLu7PfEt8M0XNAGH7Qb-QoGSc9zaxfihj2hEtrmuq2a_9CNZLHhiC946l4xa6kP99_Dj5BALHk7I9MraLlJXUHo9ao0PO8EVkG/s1920/190809-story-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyaRxTKEzXx15AWNlGgs6nUq41dsZe5C0phq69E1GKyXWXKRUSOfPVPn1CA8qumFYt1pLIgbp36HUmguNl6FryjhE0M5ZLu7PfEt8M0XNAGH7Qb-QoGSc9zaxfihj2hEtrmuq2a_9CNZLHhiC946l4xa6kP99_Dj5BALHk7I9MraLlJXUHo9ao0PO8EVkG/s320/190809-story-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I was reading through the book of Zechariah the other day when I came to chapter 4 verse 10 … <b>“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” (NLT) </b>The returned exiles of Israel began rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel, but when just the foundation was being laid, it was clear that this temple was going to be a serious downgrade from the glorious temple of Solomon. Ezra 3:10 – 13 tells us that when those young enough not to know any different saw the foundation, they rejoiced. But the old … those who remembered the “glory” days of the temple saw it, well, they cried because it was not what it used to be. There was so much work that still needed to be done, but the finished product would be far from what some remembered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There are 2 things I learn from this … <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">First, if and when I get so focused on how far I need to go or how much work needs to get done, it becomes easy for me to get discouraged and quit before I even begin! The starting line is often the hardest line to cross and, regardless of where I’ve started in the past, I can only start where I am now. Even if my starting line is not quite where I’d like it to be, it’s important for me not to “despise these small beginnings.” I’m starting and that’s the important thing. As I do, it’s important for me to remember these three-word phrases when it comes to starting any journey: “Little by little.” “Step by step.” “It takes time.” Most importantly, it’s important to remember that “the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Is there something you simply need to start? Don't worry about the finish at this point. So many factors go in to the finish. Don't worry about making sure everything is perfect. Just start. "But, I'm so far from where I want to be." Just start. "I used to be able to run 10 miles. I can barely run 1 these days." Just start. "I haven't spent time with God in ages." Just start. "I'm not sure I know how to reconnect with my wife." Just start. "I'm not content with my job, but I wouldn't even know how to begin looking for something else." Just start. "I haven't really 'talked' with my teenager for a long time. How could I ever get back in touch with him/her?" Just start. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; line-height: 1.2;">Secondly, just like those who remember what the temple used to be like, if </span><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">I keep trying to get back to where I used to be, I will one, miss what God may be showing me in the moment and, two, I will never move forward to where I could be. The past is a funny thing. It has a subtle way of keeping me trapped. I can reflect on it and celebrate what God has done, but if I think about it too much, it slowly begins to wrap its warm embrace around me and does not let go. It wants to keep me there. Memory is a gift. Nostalgia is a trap. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">I believe it’s good and important to look back … I just can’t stay back because, not only can it keep me trapped in hurts and failures, but it can also keep me trapped in successes and victories. The more I focus on the past, the more steps I will take in that direction and the less steps I will take forward toward the future God has in store. So instead of trying to get back to where I used to be, the mindset I’ve been trying to adopt is to take an honest look at where I am and then, with God’s help, take steps forward remembering that every step is an arrival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>“Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them. I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don't you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Isaiah 43:19 NIRV</b></span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-89891582660942799302023-05-26T07:53:00.001-04:002023-05-26T07:53:06.373-04:00Reflecting on Timothy Keller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4THfRXtFmLSXPY8RWk1d0lZeEbETtFbMfCB_hyATe1v1cOMbxt7_r0lOFrem8KmrIYqmiaYebI3a-Ccgi9FHXDso59Tg2I5bLflipn9ZMaAWjL2eEncMufKaBFpQq1JKf_RAzN2r8gr-lzm8hWBXGoCm3pe4enjxByGThwQ0RwhCgdr4IcLTfMFNFw/s4032/C6CF7BDD-BE61-4247-AD8F-80FD496F2C8B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4THfRXtFmLSXPY8RWk1d0lZeEbETtFbMfCB_hyATe1v1cOMbxt7_r0lOFrem8KmrIYqmiaYebI3a-Ccgi9FHXDso59Tg2I5bLflipn9ZMaAWjL2eEncMufKaBFpQq1JKf_RAzN2r8gr-lzm8hWBXGoCm3pe4enjxByGThwQ0RwhCgdr4IcLTfMFNFw/s320/C6CF7BDD-BE61-4247-AD8F-80FD496F2C8B.heic" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="http://theyaugblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/some-thoughts-about-eugene-peterson.html" target="_blank">Much like the death of Eugene Peterson</a>, the death of Timothy Keller has deeply saddened me. This is only a portion of the books I have by him and does not include what I have on my Kindle. Timothy Keller and Eugene Peterson are the two people I have read the most and, even though I have never met either of them, they have greatly shaped my pastoral life and ministry. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I read Galatians for You by Keller roughly 6 years ago and it was a God-send … the right book at exactly the right time for me and I believe God has used that book more than any other to help me stand in awe of the Gospel and God’s grace. I read The Art of Self Forgetfulness soon after and was reminded of how to simply rest in God's love found in Jesus ... to not be so concerned with what others think of me, but also to not be so concerned with what I think of me ... to rest securely in how God thinks of me because of Jesus.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Below is a portion of something by Timothy Keller that speaks of the uniqueness and beauty of the Gospel and how we can find rest in Jesus. I look forward to meeting him in heaven one day and thanking him personally for how he has helped point me toward Jesus.</span></p>
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<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There are basically two kinds of gods out there on the market today. Some people believe in a demanding God, a God who is quite frightening and intimidating … but not attractive. Not beautiful. Then you have those who believe in a God that is completely accepting and loves everybody. This god is very attractive, but there’s no discipline, no judgment. The demanding God is very convenient for people in power, it’s a way of keeping people under their thumb. But it’s also rather convenient to have a god who just accepts everything, who doesn’t say stop that, drop this, don’t go there, stay away from that. That’s pretty convenient too … to have a “god” who has no demands of you. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The Bible says neither of those gods are the real God. Why?</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A demanding God who just says, “live a good life,” for self-righteous people is perfect. And loving God for people who don’t want any boundaries and believe anything goes is perfect. But an absolutely holy and an absolutely loving God who has zero tolerance for sin and evil and wrong, but at the same time is absolutely and totally committed to love us and save us and make us his own, that is not a God we would make up because frankly we don’t know how that can be. But there he is. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It’s the combination of who God is and what God did that is at the heart of Christianity. We have a God who is so holy and terrifying that we must hide our face from Him, but is also the same God who is so loving and merciful, that he sees us in our sin and came down in the Person of Jesus to rescue us. </span></p></blockquote>
Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-82464075821901117672023-05-16T07:08:00.000-04:002023-05-16T07:08:01.736-04:00Not Wanting the Credit. Just Wanting to Make a Difference.<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKOPnNFUB83fGQlqucozoOAyCi3sI7AgRgxgeZng-wmdzINEUXRFO1Mho5qrIP-8ZzJp8Dh1TT5rEbOe6PSrB2MnESiQNrTWl0-F4KPxvfkmxkw0g6knj4cBwR7FeCnsMcdh6nfulqiRrzprPw8dAwE4sBmjQduscL4_P8UjHPY8wrZtz602Pl06hVQ/s900/Pasang.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="900" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKOPnNFUB83fGQlqucozoOAyCi3sI7AgRgxgeZng-wmdzINEUXRFO1Mho5qrIP-8ZzJp8Dh1TT5rEbOe6PSrB2MnESiQNrTWl0-F4KPxvfkmxkw0g6knj4cBwR7FeCnsMcdh6nfulqiRrzprPw8dAwE4sBmjQduscL4_P8UjHPY8wrZtz602Pl06hVQ/s320/Pasang.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I read an article yesterday about a 46-year-old man named Pasang Dawa. He is a sherpa guide for Mount Everest expeditions. On Sunday, while many of us were enjoying time with our families, Pasang was standing atop Mount Everest for the 26<sup>th</sup> time! He is one of only two people in the history of civilization to have climbed to the summit of Mount Everest that many times. The other is another sherpa named Kami Rita. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Everest has been climbed more than 11,000 times since it was first conquered in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary. But Sir Edmund did not make that climb alone. Although he gets the credit, another sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, made the climb with him, making Hillary and sherpa Tenzing 1 and 1a to the top. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Sherpas are an ethnic group from Nepal known for their skill and ability in navigating Mount Everest. They do the grueling work of fixing climbing lines all the way to the mountain’s summit. They also transport all the equipment to the various camps, take oxygen to other climbers, and help rescue stranded climbers when possible. One experienced climber said, "Without their assistance, making the long, dangerous journey is nearly impossible for all but the most experienced climbers." Another said, “Without the Sherpas, we cannot climb." </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">What seems extraordinary to me (scaling Mount Everest) appears to be almost “ordinary” for the Sherpas. A westerner may climb Everest for adventure — only once, maybe twice. The Sherpas who work on Everest do it time and again. While conquering Everest, a typical climber may cross an icefall four or five times at most. The Sherpas must do it 15 to 20 times, fixing the ropes, making camps, and transporting luggage. Their work sets the stage for someone else's success. While they rarely, if ever, get the credit, the summit could not be reached without them. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I believe we can all learn much from the sherpas. While so many yearn for the spotlight, long for recognition, and fight for attention, the sherpas seem content to be in the background helping people to the top rather than trying to be on the top. Imagine if we all lived life in that way … not wanting the credit, just wanting to make a difference. It’s an amazing picture of humility.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">What is humility? Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather thinking of yourself less. Sounds easy enough, right? I’m all for humility until I actually need to humble myself. Humility is hard and pride comes so easily, especially in a world that preaches me, my selfie, and I. Pride grows quickly in my life like a weed. It seems to sprout up everywhere I turn and sucks the nutrients from virtues that want to grow in my life. <br />
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Humility, on the other hand, ripens slowly, over time, little by little. Sometimes the pains of life remind us that there’s more we don’t know than we actually do know. Other times it’s the Lord Himself opposing our pride to help us receive His grace because “He gives grace to the humble.” I’m sure we’d agree that we could all use a little more humility in our lives, but how? I cannot muscle myself into humility. And the moment I start to acknowledge that I'm being humble, I no longer am. We cannot white-knuckle our way to humility. Through the Holy Spirit, though, we can be led to repent ourselves into humility. The way for our hearts to become humble is to think about the humility of Jesus. The more we do that, the more we’ll begin to see how often pride reveals itself in our lives. When the Spirit reveals this to us, it’s an act of grace … the Holy Spirit revealing the very thing He promises to transform in us. So, humility starts in our hearts by looking at the countless ways Jesus has humbled Himself for us. I cannot force myself into humility. I can only repent myself into it by gazing upon the humility of Christ and the enormity of His love. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">A sherpa may serve as a good example, but Jesus serves … literally serves us and helps us. When we follow Jesus, it’s not just a call to serve Him. It’s also a call to learn how to be served BY Him, and we can’t miss that. That is the heart of Christianity. So, how does He do this? Well, Jesus … “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, he made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6 – 8) He saves us and He helps us by taking on humanity and seeking us out and then telling us that he did not come to get our service, but to be our servant ... even to the point of dying on a cross for us … the ultimate act of glorifying Himself and serving us. What that means is that every time Jesus calls us to set aside our ego, to take the background, to let someone else get the credit, all of those acts of humility and self-denial are just ways Jesus is showing how He wants to serve us … “I know you can’t do this on your own. I know you don’t want to do it on your own … I know you want to use position for yourself … but, that’s not who you are. So look to me … remember how I became a servant for you … and remember how I want to serve you even now and empower you to live a life marked by humility and service.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">If we’re living the Christian life in the way that Jesus has taught us, much of what we do goes un-applauded. But please know that un-applauded does not mean unseen. </span></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>“Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” ~ Matthew 6:4</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“The good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.” ~ 1 Timothy 5:25</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” ~ Philippians 2:3 - 4 MSG</span></div>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-92210455597003441162023-04-12T16:03:00.004-04:002023-04-12T20:20:29.613-04:00Anger and Forgiveness<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I was talking to a friend recently who told me a story about the small, northeastern Pennsylvania town of Centralia. Centralia was once a bustling coal-mining town until the events of May 1962 altered its future forever. A fire began in a landfill and eventually spread to the opening of one of the town’s coal mines. Under the surface, the mines housed an estimated 25 million tons of coal, so once the fire hit the mine, the coal ignited, and the fire did what fire does … it followed the fuel and continued to spread underground. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Local firefighters’ efforts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful. Eventually, the fire swept further and further into the heart of the mine. The smoldering fire underneath the surface soon began to damage what was on the surface. In the coming months, smoke continued to rise from underground vents, roads and backyards began to crack from the heat, and noxious gases began to seep from fissures in the ground. With so much damage being done, homes and local businesses were gradually closed and eventually demolished. A vast majority of the town’s residents moved away after being relocated by the state. At its peak, 2,700 souls lived there. Currently, there are five. </span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Kannada Sangam MN";"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8JNe5OEJps-RqB1nv4de7-2V9L3PSNeaE5Z6QIy0Dny-xX9Ut8Y7yhofSyoN7GPnOupd8xZd2mE9MhkJrgVvy-GUDqGompoVzwGT4Eb_3HjKFILMgvnT1VIZR6MV9FUdgesudIpi8xkn_jwjP4s6Y4ZrD5SvbX8ebnBR8n4akzhyB42_cuxn0bKvPg/s900/Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="900" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP8JNe5OEJps-RqB1nv4de7-2V9L3PSNeaE5Z6QIy0Dny-xX9Ut8Y7yhofSyoN7GPnOupd8xZd2mE9MhkJrgVvy-GUDqGompoVzwGT4Eb_3HjKFILMgvnT1VIZR6MV9FUdgesudIpi8xkn_jwjP4s6Y4ZrD5SvbX8ebnBR8n4akzhyB42_cuxn0bKvPg/w400-h211/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">When a fire erupted inside the coal mine in Centralia, PA, residents thought it would quickly burn out on its own. But the fire is still going 61-years later, and the state has given up trying to fight it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Has there been an event that has happened in your life causing your anger to continue burn today? Have you given up trying to fight it?</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our spiritual enemy, the devil, wants us to hold on to our anger because that allows him to have influence in our life and gain access he otherwise would not have (Ephesians 4:26 – 27). </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bitterness is an opening for the devil and where we hold on to anger is where we are most vulnerable to becoming captive. This is just one reason why the author of Hebrews says, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Hebrews 12:15NLT)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Allow me to encourage you with two things. First, let’s “look after each other.” We want to help each other receive God’s grace. We can do that by listening, by caring, by supporting each other. We can also do it through prayer. We can be in prayer where people are in pain. So many have experienced deep wounds from others, hurts that have been difficult to release. Let’s not give up praying for each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Secondly, let’s continually remember how we have been forgiven so bitterness does not take root. Let’s focus on how God does not treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10), how God does not keep a record of our wrongs (Psalm 130:3-4), and that Jesus never asks us to do something that He has not done Himself … “forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Forgiveness is part of our calling as followers of Jesus, but it is not easy, nor does it come naturally. Forgiveness is often more of a process than an event. Sometimes it’s the daily choice of saying, “I give up my right to get even and leave “vengeance” to the Lord (Romans 12:19). Forgiveness does not mean denying the wrong that happened or wound that was created. It does not mean that there should not be consequences for what happened. It does mean that you are cancelling the debt that is owed you. This is the costly part of forgiveness. There will always be a cost to forgiving and the one who forgives will bear that cost. But when we say, “I’m giving up my right to get even. I forgive as I have been forgiven,” we become more like Christ and the living waters of His love and grace extinguish the smoldering flames of bitterness the devil has set ablaze underneath the surface of our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It’s difficult work to explore our anger and enter our woundedness, but even more difficult on our lives and relationships if we are unwilling to do so. God is with you and He is kind.</span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-82351505759869023552023-04-11T16:57:00.002-04:002023-04-11T16:57:48.683-04:00You Can't See Me<a href="http://feedjit.com/ir1/1d3594a2b8495242/"><img alt="" ismap="" src="http://feedjit.com/b/1d3594a2b8495242.png" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxC2UL2EF-9PkCu1PJD7Hp5e0iG_4qdCK_x92mLUNM1nXbkS422k-KNgtDB5MAltGkbCsjRNCqS3BTT81dySnbDv2g68C8dder4H5mwAE-X_0iAPTcXk7_fuWls0WS-1lvcmqceyUM3QnFMzFX6JKBXbWwyInD-jDWzJE6Byy1mobn592RqclnnX6xA/s1539/emmaus-road.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1539" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxC2UL2EF-9PkCu1PJD7Hp5e0iG_4qdCK_x92mLUNM1nXbkS422k-KNgtDB5MAltGkbCsjRNCqS3BTT81dySnbDv2g68C8dder4H5mwAE-X_0iAPTcXk7_fuWls0WS-1lvcmqceyUM3QnFMzFX6JKBXbWwyInD-jDWzJE6Byy1mobn592RqclnnX6xA/s320/emmaus-road.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">After the NCAA women's championship, there was a lot of talk about the whole "you can't see me" gesture. Because I'm old, I actually had to look up what it meant. In simplest of terms, it means that "I'm too good, too fast, too quick ... you can't keep up. You can't see me coming."<span style="color: #212121;"> It's fun and was popularized by WWE wrestler John C</span></span></span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">ena.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">That phrase came to mind this morning as I was reading about the two people who met Jesus after His resurrection on the road to Emmaus <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A13-35&version=NIV" target="_blank">(Luke 24:13 – 35)</a>. In verse 16, Jesus didn't say "You can't see me," but we are told that the two people walking were not able to recognize who Jesus was when He showed up alongside of them. Some translations imply that it was God who kept them from recognizing Jesus in the moment. Other translations imply that they just simply did not recognize Him. I’m not sure, but that could possibly be because they believed He was dead. One is generally not looking for a dead person to suddenly show up alive, so their eyes may have been unable to recognize Him because they were still focused on all that had happened regarding Jesus’ death. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Whatever the reason, <b>I’m curious if anything is blurring your vision of Jesus today?</b> Are you grieving? Do you feel sad? Are you stressed or distracted? Are you uncertain or afraid? Sometimes our feelings and/or circumstances can get in the way of us recognizing that Jesus is with us. When it doesn't feel like Jesus is with us, it's easy to believe that He is not. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">In these types of moments, in the moments when we cannot recognize Jesus presence, it helps to pause and ask questions that may help us to see Him … questions like: “What could Jesus be up to here? Why am I feeling this way right now? What does this opportunity mean? What does God's word say about this?”</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> Jesus promises that He is with us (Matthew 28:19 - 20) and we're told that nothing can separate us from the love of God found in Him (Romans 8:39). </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;">Other times we miss moments with our Savior because the moments often do not look like what we believe they should look like. Sometimes seeing Jesus starts by releasing what we believe an encounter with Him should look like.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #202020; line-height: 1.2;"> Many encounters with our Savior seem to happen unexpectedly and often do not take the shape of what we would anticipate. For Moses, it was a bush. For Elijah, it was a whisper. For Samuel, it was a voice in the night He was not expecting. For Paul, it was a “thorn in the flesh” teaching Him that God’s “grace is sufficient” and God’s “power is made perfect in weakness.”</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"> <b>As you look back on your day, has there been an unexpected way that you encountered Jesus, but didn’t recognize it at the time?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33); color: #212121; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(33, 33, 33);">May we be able to say along with the two on the road to Emmaus that "The Lord has risen indeed!" Let's pray and ask Him to open our eyes to see Him alive, present and powerful. </span></span></span></p></div>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-88594110619208094602023-01-12T09:49:00.000-05:002023-01-12T09:49:13.371-05:00Proximity and Prayer<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU0pFn305LLPZhbm3W-llqDfoPf_aftwN0YGUBt00BJK5WBzeojAHmt6vpYeCuQutzi9t9-IOy8opysPwLaM8oR643WubI1-SmQkxg89bzX7mnbX2CIpulupAeattFPKCjTc6LL78JUIJ8Kr_cdVN_7zDNGjvvSB_rfydbE8UKc-GJRYZrdAYHi-ojg/s600/09hamlin-notebook-1-f0f1-articleLarge.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU0pFn305LLPZhbm3W-llqDfoPf_aftwN0YGUBt00BJK5WBzeojAHmt6vpYeCuQutzi9t9-IOy8opysPwLaM8oR643WubI1-SmQkxg89bzX7mnbX2CIpulupAeattFPKCjTc6LL78JUIJ8Kr_cdVN_7zDNGjvvSB_rfydbE8UKc-GJRYZrdAYHi-ojg/w200-h133/09hamlin-notebook-1-f0f1-articleLarge.jpg.webp" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytfMuf25vwRD4yhKpBXVroGSiUSpmkt31AkKMLQiJWSy2Wv7U0NblfbARyA6xKbRJ1Z7SZVDk_6PLNrQyH_119DmYEz1Jcchd2j8VMwKaU9zCkc1Y6zldM9d3QPP9XrmQHCZgtsa171jRYAJYPE6Wq33nk406jVCGzfK-NlLGf-75ekgPqHxodd41gQ/s2500/Peyton%20Hillis.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1605" data-original-width="2500" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytfMuf25vwRD4yhKpBXVroGSiUSpmkt31AkKMLQiJWSy2Wv7U0NblfbARyA6xKbRJ1Z7SZVDk_6PLNrQyH_119DmYEz1Jcchd2j8VMwKaU9zCkc1Y6zldM9d3QPP9XrmQHCZgtsa171jRYAJYPE6Wq33nk406jVCGzfK-NlLGf-75ekgPqHxodd41gQ/w200-h128/Peyton%20Hillis.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I’ve been reflecting on the two traumatic events that have happened recently involving NFL players. I, like many of you, was glued to my screen after watching Damar Hamlin collapse during the January 2<sup>nd</sup> Monday night football game. I have an athletic training degree from Penn State University. I worked with many of the teams at Penn State as well as a local high school when I lived in Indiana. I have seen athletes get hurt. Athletic trainers and athletes see injuries happen all the time. We do not see players receiving CPR on the field. To see it all unfold in real time, to watch with the rest of America, and then to see the outpouring of support and the immense call to prayer on social media was something I’ve never experienced in the world of sports. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Two days later, former NFL running back Peyton Hillis, was admitted to the hospital after saving his children from drowning. The scene in Wakanda Forever where Queen Ramonda saves Riri comes to mind. Peyton Hillis’ situation was (and still is) incredibly serious. Many are asking for and praying for him as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">People are thankfully praying for both situations, but comparatively (and this is simply my impression) the outpouring of prayer for Damar Hamlin has been greater than that for Peyton Hillis. One is not more important than the other. One just seems to be receiving more calls for prayer than the other. I’ve been wondering about why that may be and the only explanation I can think of is “proximity.” We cared about what happened to Peyton Hillis because we heard about it, but we felt close to what happened with Damar Hamlin because we watched it unfold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">I experienced something like this three years ago. </span>Most will remember <span lang="EN-US">January 26<sup>th</sup>, 2020 </span>as the day Kobe <span lang="EN-US">Bryant </span>died. I will remember it as the day my dear friend Galen unexpectedly died. <span lang="EN-US">He was not </span>famous in the world’s eyes, but <span lang="EN-US">he was </span>very famous in mine.<span lang="EN-US"> I certainly cared about what happened to Kobe Bryant, but I was close with Galen and his wife Kelli and their children. My proximity shaped my prayers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">The closer I am to people who are suffering, the more I find myself praying for those people. The more I come face to face with the wrongs and injustices in our community, the more I find myself praying for the people impacted. The more I allow myself to know and shepherd the people of our church, the more I find myself praying for them. </span><span lang="EN-US">We can and should pray from a distance, but I’m not so sure I can pray if I’m distant </span><span lang="EN-US">…</span><span lang="EN-US"> if my heart is distant emotionally </span><span lang="EN-US">…</span><span lang="EN-US"> if my heart is calloused toward the pain of another </span><span lang="EN-US">…</span><span lang="EN-US"> if wall-up my heart to protect me from feeling the uncomfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I pray for people often, but I also recognize that I’m driven to pray more for my wife, for my kids, for those closest to me, and for people or situations that I’m keenly aware of. I may pray for someone that I do not know because someone I do know asks me to pray. But my prayers for the people or situations closest to me “feel” different. Neither prayer is more effective than the other because what matters is not the passion of our prayers but rather the power of our God. But my proximity matters. It helps me to care, to be more aware of the need for prayer. It helps me to see what has happened or what is happening. It helps me to understand how to pray, what to pray, and where God is asking me to trust in Him.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">God invites us to pray </span>not because <span lang="EN-US">we </span>should<span lang="EN-US">, but </span>because<span lang="EN-US"> y</span><span lang="EN-US">ou and I both</span> were made for prayer, even if that prayer is a simple “Lord, have mercy” or “God, help<span lang="EN-US">” on behalf of others and ourselves. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Paul Miller said, "If you are not praying, then you're quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all you need in life." You probably know this by now, but our lives are susceptible to dramatic change at any moment. We are not as strong as we think we are. Prayer expresses our dependence upon God</span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> and if we’re genuinely concerned about the work of God in each other’s lives, we simply cannot neglect praying for each other. Proximity increases my concern for others. Prayer expresses my concerns to God. In the midst of it all, we will find that God comes close to us.</span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-39585313849939935892022-08-31T17:31:00.001-04:002022-08-31T20:35:19.383-04:00Who Is God to Tell Me What to Do?<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5ccjWplgo6Or3wB0hQnHIVPdFJebyvRYm3oUmq715MmYEVPUmhqc77XdYb7m_2q3C07nW9HU5bQHD1m8ZGwNPUMlZ16ZAAFFaPp1K7FzzosIfwlduDYrNoMlMMyfoIzBeJUrNafaLXFG-wnEBUJcqbMyprKKk8Dpp39nqXuu4idrDJSGxO1arD7O7g/s2044/prince-louis-covers-kates-mouth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="2044" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5ccjWplgo6Or3wB0hQnHIVPdFJebyvRYm3oUmq715MmYEVPUmhqc77XdYb7m_2q3C07nW9HU5bQHD1m8ZGwNPUMlZ16ZAAFFaPp1K7FzzosIfwlduDYrNoMlMMyfoIzBeJUrNafaLXFG-wnEBUJcqbMyprKKk8Dpp39nqXuu4idrDJSGxO1arD7O7g/s320/prince-louis-covers-kates-mouth.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’m consistently amazed at how often a collection of 66 books written over a period of 1600 years by 40 different authors who lived on 3 different continents from different walks of life (I’m referring to the Bible) is still so relevant today. Glenn Packiam wrote, “We must know the Bible in its own world and know our world well enough to let God speak His word to it.” The more I look at our world and the more I read the Bible, the more I consistently see that God speaks into our cultural moments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One such example is found in the book of Exodus. This is after Moses has a personal encounter with God. And, God does not waste any time putting Moses on mission. He sends him directly to Pharaoh with this message: <b>“Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” <sup>2</sup>But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”</b> <b>~ Exodus 5:1 – 2</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Did you catch the question? It’s not just a question. It is THE question: <b>“Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice?”</b> That’s a very 2022 question. Either Pharaoh was ahead of his time, or the human heart hasn’t changed all that much over time. Pharoah lived in a very pluralistic culture, which meant that, by and large, he wasn’t offended by the fact that that the Hebrews had a God. He was just offended that that God was now telling him what to do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Most people do not have a problem with God until God says something</b>. Many people are pretty cool with God as long as He doesn’t ask us to do things we don’t want to do. The reason for that, I believe, is deep down, we often think that we simply know better. We’d much rather define what is good and evil on our own terms than to listen to what God has to say about it. I know what God is asking of me, I just don’t think I should have to do it. I know what God is saying, but I just think I’m smarter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I unfortunately see that attitude far too often in my own life. I want to be the one in charge. Granted, I’m prone to complaining and prone to lust and bent toward greed and capable of hurting others to get what I want and susceptible to addiction and willing to lie and far too willing to accept the credit … but if you take all that out of the equation, and I’m really not all that different from God. One person said it like this: <b>There are a lot of differences between us and God, but one of the biggest differences is that God never mistakes Himself for us</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God stepped toward that question and answered it … for Pharaoh, for Egypt, for the Israelites, and for us, and He did that through the 10 plagues. Each of the ten plagues was a staging ground to see who is in charge here? Who is running this show? And there is a key phrase that runs throughout the entire plague section of Exodus … <b>“that you may know that I am the LORD” (6:7, 7:5, 17, 8:10, 22, 9:14, 29, 10:2, 11:7). </b>Some variation of that phrase is used 9 times in chapters 6 – 11 of Exodus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now, I realize that when most people think of the 10 plagues, they often think of them in terms of judgment, but I believe they’re more about mercy than they are judgment. Why? Well, because God, in His kindness, is revealing Himself to Pharaoh and to the Egyptian people as the only true God, the only relevant God, the only God who is worth obeying and He does that by showing them that everything they have built their life on is a lie. The Egyptians believed that certain gods controlled specific areas of life or specific regions. They had a list of “go to” gods in an effort to get the maximum number of blessings. There was the sun god, the moon god, the Nile River god, among others. So, what does God do? He takes the Egyptian gods, and He makes a public spectacle of them through the plagues. The Egyptians worshipped the Nile River. What does God do …turns the Nile River to blood. The Egyptians worshipped the sun. What does God do … blocks out the sun’s light. The Egyptians worshipped frogs. God said, “You like frogs … here’s a whole bunch of them!” The Egyptians lived comfortably, so what does God do … sends them gnats and flies and if you’ve ever been camping you know that those little things can make you uncomfortable! One after another God totally crushes the gods of Egypt and shames them publicly. Essentially, God in His mercy, exposed those gods to be empty.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Has God ever exposed something in your life to be empty?</b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Has there ever been something you thought would give you the peace and happiness you’ve longed for, but it hasn’t done what it promised to do? Could it be that what has left you empty is God’s way of letting you know that He is what you're really looking for? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God's ways are always meant to lead us to life, true life. He'll often use the emptiness of our own ways to reveal to us that He is for us and He is kind. So, allow me to ask the question again … <b>Has God exposed something in your life to be empty?</b> If God, in His mercy, has revealed to you that you’ve been pursuing the wrong thing, chasing the wrong thing, running after the wrong things, please remember that “those who turn to worthless idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.” (Jonah 2:8) The Hebrew word for “steadfast love” is “chesed” which describes <b>God’s loyal covenant love and His faithful mercy by which He rescues people.</b> It’s His loving kindness to us in any and all situations. It’s always there. It’s always stable. It never fades. It never gives up. It is always willing to meet us where we are and offer us exactly what we need. It doesn’t wait for us to get our act together or become a better version of ourselves. God’s loving kindness is not based on our faithfulness to Him but rather His faithfulness to us. This is the entire basis of our assurance in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our emptiness is exactly what qualifies us to come to Him. He's there. His invitation is always the same … “Follow me.” His promise is always the same …</span><span style="font-size: large;"> “And I will give you rest.”</span></span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-23821444639030550082022-08-17T16:54:00.001-04:002022-08-17T16:54:06.241-04:00Have You Ever Struggled with Envy?<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvNt6eYRdqbs8G2KCsqo-BB0U-aXlVwmxhXTxS3RxMeMqpthH93EboDBU1Isp99vyeVNLqF13aELKymG6JlorsZDyrtqzbSoY5jErPuv97PmfeA_CF-7UkKNxmvKtrBSkrkn97Zsa-4ArHetBODUxk3ldjlBMAWYdMo-MRtAXSCPy92p54ceDHkHzLA/s640/Envy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvNt6eYRdqbs8G2KCsqo-BB0U-aXlVwmxhXTxS3RxMeMqpthH93EboDBU1Isp99vyeVNLqF13aELKymG6JlorsZDyrtqzbSoY5jErPuv97PmfeA_CF-7UkKNxmvKtrBSkrkn97Zsa-4ArHetBODUxk3ldjlBMAWYdMo-MRtAXSCPy92p54ceDHkHzLA/s320/Envy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Envy always starts with comparing yourself to another person. Even the word itself carries a grotesqueness with it. It’s not a character trait we look for in other people. You never hear somebody say, “When I grow up, I want to be envious.” No one sets out to be envious, but if you're like me, it's easy to struggle with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Exodus 20:17 says <b>“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” </b>When I read the first part of that verse, I felt pretty good about myself. I mean, I’m very content with our home. None of my friends have a manservant or a maidservant, so I’m good there. I have no desire to ever have an ox or a donkey … no desire what-so-ever. So, I read all of that and I’m thinking to myself “I’m pretty good” … until I get to the word “anything.” You shall not covet ANYTHING that belongs to your neighbor … any possession, any ability, any personality trait, any physical characteristic …anything. The word “anything” brings me back to reality and shows me that I’m not as good as I think I am. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’m not a person who typically finds myself envying what another person owns, but I have often found myself envying who they are and the gifts/talents/abilities/position they have been given.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This week, our pastor spoke from Numbers 16. It tells the story of Korah, Dathan, Abiran, and 250 others who were making a grab for power … <b>“You’ve overstepped yourself. This entire community is holy and GOD is in their midst. So why do you act like you’re running the show?”</b> (Numbers 16:3 The Message) </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In other words, “Why you and not us?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Envy is a heart issue, and it speaks the language of discontentment in our lives. We envy because we compare ourselves to others and we see a difference between what we have and what we feel we deserve to have. Envy will always ask the question “Why you and not me?” They were no longer satisfied with their gifts, their abilities, their roles of leadership. They felt they deserved more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A little background …<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In Numbers 4 we read that when the tabernacle was to be taken down because the Israelites were on the move, Aaron and his sons were to collect and cover all the items that were located in the Holy of holies (Numbers 4:4 - 14.) Once those items were covered, Korah and his sons were to carry those items (Numbers 4:15). One group has the opportunity to enter the Holy of holies. That's a pretty exclusive club! Another group has to wait until everything is covered, wrapped up, and then brought out. Korah and his family were assigned this task, but there seemed to be a strong discontentment with their role (Numbers 16:8 – 10), hence the rebellion and grab for power that took place in Numbers 16. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Envy does nothing but breed division, especially among the people of God. When followers of Jesus allow envy to set in, it does nothing but set us against each other. James 3 says that envy is <b>“earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil.” </b>Proverbs 14:30 says that <b>“envy rots the bones.” </b>We shouldn’t be surprised that if we give our spiritual enemy access to our life, our bones will feel like they’re rotting away. This is what envy does. It causes to become obsessed with the question “Why you and not me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Remember in our story, though, it wasn’t Moses who assigned these roles. It was God which is why Moses could say in Numbers 16:11, <b>“It is against the LORD that you and all your followers have banded together. Who is Aaron that you should grumble against him?”</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But grumble they did and eventually they faced the judgment of God (Numbers 16:31 – 35). This was another tragic moment in the history of Israel and a very dark stain in the lineage of Korah. But, as James 4:6 reminds us <b>“He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”</b> Even from this horrific story of envy and rebellion, the Lord made beauty out of the ashes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Apparently, God must have spared or appointed a godly remnant from the tribe or Korah. How so? Well, if you’re ever reading through the Psalms, you may notice that some of them say they were written by “the Sons of Korah.” Eleven psalms, in fact, were written by Korah’s descendants. Somewhere between that moment in Numbers 16 and the time those 11 psalms were written; the Sons of Korah learned from the mistakes of the ancestors and chose to humble themselves before the LORD. Some of the most beautiful passages in the psalms were written by them … <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? ~ Psalm 42:1 – 2 <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. ~ Psalm 44:8<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the hearts of the sea, though its water roar and form and the mountains quake with their surging … the LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. ~ Psalm 46:1 – 3, 7<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. ~ Psalm 48:14<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. ~ Psalm 84:1 – 2<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. ~ Psalm 84:10<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation. ~ Psalm 85:7<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">What a picture of redemption and grace! Two quick thoughts … <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you’re anything like me, you probably have “sins” in your family of origin that have left a mark on you and/or others within your family. With the Lord’s help, we can always draw the line in the sand and say, “This stops here. No further!” With God’s help we can set our families on a new path and not be bound to what may have hindered or held captive previous generations of our lineage. <b>“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”</b> The Lord, by His grace, invites us to set a new way for our families.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">James 3:16 says, <b>“Where you find envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” </b>Again, if you’re anything like me, you may have struggled or may be struggling with your role at work, at home, in God’s kingdom, etc. We can all wrestle with this at various times and have a sense of discontentment in our lives. You don’t necessarily want to run away from that feeling because it could be the first way that God is leading you to your next step. But please explore that feeling carefully. Talk with trusted people in your life. Is it the Lord potentially leading you to something else or is the feeling arising out of envy … I want more … I want what they have … I deserve better. What I’m learning and seeking to find contentment in is that one day at the task God has personally assigned me is better than a thousand days at someone else's.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One final thought … I like to run. I’ve run a few half marathons, a few marathons, some 5K’s and 10K’s. I enjoy running, but I’m not a great runner by any means. My event in high school track was the 100-meter mosey! Now, in a race, if I’m trying to run with people who are just way faster than me, I’ll burn out too quickly and not run to my potential. If I’m running with the people who are much slower than me, I’ll never allow myself to be stretched and pushed physically, and I’ll not run to my potential. I just have to run my race. In any race that I’ve run, I’ve never finished first and I’ve never finished last. If I compare myself to the other runners who finish before me, I can start to become envious and discouraged. If I compare myself to the runners who finish after me, I can start to become prideful. All I need to do is run my own race to the best of my ability. Stretch myself, push my limits but realize that my limits are not someone else’s, nor are their limits mine. All God asks of you and me is to be faithful to whatever responsibilities He brings our way. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">May we rest in and claim the promises of God … <b>“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”</b> ~ Philippians 4:12b, 13</span></span><span style="font-family: "Kannada Sangam MN"; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-52374866087002415622022-05-24T22:16:00.001-04:002022-05-24T22:47:41.225-04:00O God, Not Again<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0KB8GeoiHGnFqG6FqtRcokWTkpE_s3s5dZ0JUVz9MH1Z362Wi8Zc_qGZTH6RKJ9r5IkQKN9iHO63y3_skdJUFAi5V3-juezAxa2-wJj9ccNt_BlPVehn2-87Po6RofMkyk8FE4K8NECuFXUq8Uwue7XGgV3TrpEFrVEDL15ZrZpKI3hIVBQ8DUxNQ/s275/Unknown.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0KB8GeoiHGnFqG6FqtRcokWTkpE_s3s5dZ0JUVz9MH1Z362Wi8Zc_qGZTH6RKJ9r5IkQKN9iHO63y3_skdJUFAi5V3-juezAxa2-wJj9ccNt_BlPVehn2-87Po6RofMkyk8FE4K8NECuFXUq8Uwue7XGgV3TrpEFrVEDL15ZrZpKI3hIVBQ8DUxNQ/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Last night I attended a “Night of Lament” at our church. We prayed for the families of those who lost loved ones in Buffalo and in California. We prayed for our nation. We prayed for the hearts of the people of our country to be softened. We asked God to help us to be humble. We prayed for courage. We prayed for each other. We cried out to God together.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Less than 24 hours later while at the dinner table, our oldest son said, “There was another school shooting today.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">My heart broke.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Another mass shooting. Eighteen children dead. One teacher dead. I’m not sure of how many others were wounded. Any shooting is horrific enough, but one that targets children just seems to be laced with a different kind of evil. My heart breaks for the families impacted by the tragedy in Uvalde, TX. I cannot imagine the horror the teachers and children went through. I hurt for the police and first responders who had to look upon the awfulness of that scene.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’m so angry! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’m so sad. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’m just sick of this world right now. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I find myself asking the question David asked in Psalm 35:17 … <b>“How long, oh Lord, will You look on?”</b> I find myself asking the question the prophet Habakkuk asked in Habakkuk 1:2 … <b>“How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! "Violence is everywhere!" I cry, but you do not come to save.” </b>I find myself longing for peace and restoration. I hunger for the perfect peace of heaven, yet I’m force-fed a diet of this war zone called earth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How long, oh Lord! Enough is enough. Too many people have been hurt. Too many people are experiencing grief. Too many have seen far more than they should ever have to see. So many are willing to abuse and hurt and spread hate and destroy families. Stop them God! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As one person said, “We dare not get used to children being murdered in elementary schools. We dare not reach for verses to explain it. We dare not numb out. We must grieve enough to care, hurt enough to engage, hope more than we hate.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I played basketball with our 3<sup>rd</sup> grade son this evening, I tried to soak up the moment a little more than usual because I realized that there are parents in TX who can no longer play with their son or daughter …parents who are nauseous with grief … families forever scarred by senseless death. "Arise, O Lord. Lift up your hand. Forget not the afflicted." (Ps 10:12)</span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-25273516134657137632022-05-17T11:54:00.000-04:002022-05-17T11:54:48.399-04:00A Prayer for Recent Tragedies<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnu1_i-TeA_E0wlJiv4v22br4N-J3xwhB_1ky_f0t4eiPntlbA3K75rXZ2ysCCkxbqSF6ByqyYivGPFXXjMIYzUbDKw8HdPV_pFZmtNCUHX9duX74ofh2uHupcb1LfuOVa0ThC-8SIPFfopnRPVM9W8j-d3VhCPBsICNlFFMgdFLREDL8S9W5chyz1g/s1245/a-memorial-for-victims-of-the-buffalo-new-york-shooting.jpg.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1245" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnu1_i-TeA_E0wlJiv4v22br4N-J3xwhB_1ky_f0t4eiPntlbA3K75rXZ2ysCCkxbqSF6ByqyYivGPFXXjMIYzUbDKw8HdPV_pFZmtNCUHX9duX74ofh2uHupcb1LfuOVa0ThC-8SIPFfopnRPVM9W8j-d3VhCPBsICNlFFMgdFLREDL8S9W5chyz1g/s320/a-memorial-for-victims-of-the-buffalo-new-york-shooting.jpg.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The prayer below is from a book of prayers called <u>Every Moment Holy</u>. It's a prayer specifically for national tragedies. If you're looking to pray into the most recent shootings in our country, this is one way to do that. Lord, help us to mourn with those who mourn. Give us the compassion we need to feel another's pain. Empower us to live justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">O God who gathers what has been scattered, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Shelter us now in the shadow of your wings. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">O Christ who binds our wounds, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be our great healer. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">O Spirit who enters our every grief, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Intercede now for this hurting people, in this broken land. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be present in the midst of this far-reaching pain, O Lord, for we are reeling again, at news of another loss of life that touches us all; news of flourishing diminished; </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Of individuals harmed, of pain imposed, of communities attacked, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Not only upon victims and their families who bear now the immediate brunt of it – but also upon our nation. For we are connected as a people, and this hurt, this grief, touches us all. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Engage our imaginations and move our hearts to compassion, O Lord, break through our numbness and fatigue, that we would interact with these casualties, not as news stories or statistics, but as our own brothers and sisters, flesh and blood, divine image-bearers, irreplaceable individuals whose losses will leave gaping holes in homes, friendships, workplaces, churches, schools, organizations, and neighborhoods. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be merciful to those now wounded. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be present with those now bereaved. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You do not run from our brokenness, O God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You move ever toward those in need. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Your heart is always inclined toward those who suffer. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now let your mercies be active through the hands, the words, and the compassionate care of those who willingly enter this sadness to console and to serve. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be with all who move toward this need: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The helpers, the counselors, the first responders, those who offer aid and protection, the pastors and intercessors, those who meet immediate practical needs, those who seek to heal physical wounds, and those who come after to carry on the long, hard work of rebuilding families and hearts and lives and community. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Grant each of them wisdom, courage, vision, sympathy, and strength to serve effectively in their various capacities. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even in the shadow of such tragedy, let us not lose hope. Give us eyes to see the rapid movements of mercy rushing to fill these newly wounded spaces. Let us see in this the echoes of your own mercy and compassion – a foretaste of your kingdom coming to earth. And move our own hearts also, equipping us to intercede, to act, and to respond however we are able. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Move, O Holy Spirit, in the midst and in the aftermath of this tragedy, in the wake of our wounding, in the shock, the sorrow, and the numbness. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Arrest the hearts and stay the hands of any who even now might be plotting further evil and violence against others, O Christ. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Turn them from hatred. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Turn their hearts to you. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You once hovered over the formless chaos of ancient waters and brought forth the order and flourishing of creation. Do so again, O Spirit of God. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">From the chaos of this tragedy call forth new life and order and flourishing. Take even what our adversary might have meant for evil, and from it bring forth eternal good. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You alone have strength to carry this people. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Carry us now, O Lord. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You alone have wisdom and power to heal the wounds of a nation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Heal us, O Lord. </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">You alone have compassion enough to enter our widespread grief, and turn it to hope. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Be merciful, O Christ! </span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Amen.</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-23509396315146957212022-05-03T15:22:00.000-04:002022-05-03T15:22:40.527-04:00131,400 Hours<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUHxdmMaNDNa9IEqT6o5gNA_OVexB5a5ee2JftNU8u7qbiTwwRqJPnWaoF6hRDU9uvbxmBeu3x5Ai438sQ4TXkpmI_qzA9Bgn22ZMO7hCts1pCr08emTsESMVntgqmsrcVdykMUVknAy49XqgKieroQ5eeLat9XAF3AN5ZKQ0zlJSU9VODJPTJH50IA/s1024/4AD7868D-D366-4049-A7B4-85F75FCAC5BA_1_105_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUHxdmMaNDNa9IEqT6o5gNA_OVexB5a5ee2JftNU8u7qbiTwwRqJPnWaoF6hRDU9uvbxmBeu3x5Ai438sQ4TXkpmI_qzA9Bgn22ZMO7hCts1pCr08emTsESMVntgqmsrcVdykMUVknAy49XqgKieroQ5eeLat9XAF3AN5ZKQ0zlJSU9VODJPTJH50IA/s320/4AD7868D-D366-4049-A7B4-85F75FCAC5BA_1_105_c.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Our oldest turned 15 today. If I’ve done the math correctly, that means I have been a dad for 15 years. Yep, sick math skills, I know. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I’ve heard it said that to become an “expert” at something, one needs to spend at least 10,000 hours practicing. Again, if I’ve done the math correctly, I have “practiced” fatherhood for 131,400 hours. That’s over 10 times the required amount of time to become an “expert!" <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Why do I so often feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, then? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I am anything but an “expert” at being a dad. I’m really good at making mistakes as a dad. I’m really good at thinking about what I could have done differently. I’m really good at recognizing what I should have said or should have done after the fact. If our oldest was 13 again, I’d probably be pretty good at raising him because I can now see the mistakes, see the “could have’s” and “should have’s.” Now I see the things I stressed about that were not worth the stress and the times when I wasn’t proactive when I probably should have been. If our oldest was 13, I’d be much better at being a dad. Problem is he isn’t 13 … he’s 15 now. That puts me roughly 2-years behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">There was maybe a time when I felt like I knew what I was doing … a time when being a “good” dad meant giving cuddles and reading stories and rolling around on the floor and playing outside and spending one-on-one time with my kids. I did those things and, as I reflect, probably became a bit, dare I say prideful in what I was doing. With a bit of reflection, I realize that I probably became a bit too self-assured in my efforts and a bit formulaic in my parenting philosophy … just do A, B, and C and you’ll get D! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Those 131,400 hours of being a dad have humbled me, though. So have the several hours of conversations I’ve had with “good” parents who weren’t seeing their “good parenting” translate into what they thought it would. That doesn’t make them bad parents. It just means their older kids are individuals who make their own choices.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As a dad, I’m trying to point our kids to a Gospel of grace rather than a gospel of sin management. What’s hard is that this does not guarantee our kids will turn out how we hope they will turn out. That’s incredibly humbling. We’re doing what we can. We’re trusting God. We’re praying like crazy. But I can’t make any of my kids love Jesus. I can help them see Jesus in my life. I can teach them to do good to the person in front of them. I can model for them what it means to love and cherish their mom. But I can’t make them fall in love with Jesus. And this drives me to my knees in prayer on their behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Something that has helped me recently is Mark 6:30 – 44. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">But he answered them, <b>“You give them something to eat.”</b> And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">You probably know the rest of the story ... Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied it all into an incredible feast with leftovers no less! There are many observations we can make from this passage, but the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me from it in relation to parenting recently. What really stands out to me is when Jesus told his disciples <b>“You give them something to eat.”</b> And the disciples were like, “But we don’t really have much! Five loaves of bread and two fish. Let’s just send them away and let somebody else feed them.” But, Jesus said, <b>“You give them something to eat.”<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">This is, in many ways, how I’m looking at parenting … Jesus telling me as a dad … “You give Ezra, Mercy, Torah, and Judah what they need … you give them something to eat.” But I so often feel inadequate. As our kids get older, things are changing and change brings up a lot of insecurities in me as a dad. And yet, God keeps saying to me, “You give them something to eat … you feed them … not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I don’t always know how to do that. Even when I think I do, I don’t always do it well. But I’m reminded that it’s possible to offer what we may feel is small, inadequate, and insufficient, and then trust Jesus to multiply what has been offered in His name. He did it twice on this earth. As part of a prayer from Every Moment Holy reminds us, Jesus “twice blessed inadequate offerings, fashioning them into miraculous feasts that would sustain crowds in their hard journeys.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I’ve had 131,400 hours of being a dad, which really means I’ve had 131,400 hours of learning what it means to be completely dependent upon God. Sounds spiritual enough. It’s what we do as followers of Jesus. But man is it hard … hard to offer what is meager and trust Jesus to multiply. But I guess if I find myself depending on Jesus more at the end of each day than I was at the beginning of each day, I’m probably right where He wants me to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I love being a dad. Every day I'm reminded of how thankful I am for my kids. At the same time, I often find myself feeling completely and totally inadequate for this role. The mistakes I make every day remind me of how totally dependent upon God I am to be the dad He calls me to be. God’s grace guarantees that I am never alone as I raise my kids with my wife. His grace promises forgiveness when I've blown it. His grace gives me strength when I need it and wisdom in the moments when I have no idea what to do. His grace enables me to continue when I'd rather quit, to engage when I'd rather walk away, and to lead despite setbacks. Most importantly, God's grace reminds me that I do not have it all together myself ... which helps me to remember to extend grace to my kids when I see that they do not have it all together either. No one offers grace more than the one who remembers how desperately they need it themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And we all need it.</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-83939086595501963092022-04-15T20:54:00.003-04:002022-04-15T20:54:41.989-04:00I Thirst<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6AacFuzKa1K7NlD_35ZveV2k5EbGPjAALSCBxmsrew1KMQI65WDjX-d6uczG58FatYaFP0x0ZvK8RA95DHw2p1uPEbET8NtpUnoytxe_Ms4mnr1Y772zDDDAMK405_DG4suoS8Bp5Njkw5-deYjIIe6eGLmQ7kZBifhrtpHpbcIkGkmxy73BoBK3Nw/s262/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="193" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6AacFuzKa1K7NlD_35ZveV2k5EbGPjAALSCBxmsrew1KMQI65WDjX-d6uczG58FatYaFP0x0ZvK8RA95DHw2p1uPEbET8NtpUnoytxe_Ms4mnr1Y772zDDDAMK405_DG4suoS8Bp5Njkw5-deYjIIe6eGLmQ7kZBifhrtpHpbcIkGkmxy73BoBK3Nw/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" width="193" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’” ~ John 19:28<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“I thirst.” Seven letters, two simple words, yet full of meaning and purpose when spoken by Jesus from the cross. Allow me to offer a few observations … <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">First, as humans, 60% of our body is made of water. If I go out for a run and work up a good sweat, maybe, just maybe I drop down to 58% … and I feel like I’m completely dehydrated. I’ve said the words “I’m thirsty” countless times in my life, but never once have I said those words to fulfill Scripture. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus deliberately chose to say these words and when He did, He fulfilled one of the many Old Testament prophecies regarding Him. Many of those Old Testament prophecies are found in the book of psalms. There are certain psalms called Messianic psalms that speak specifically of Jesus. Psalm 69 is one of those and it gives us a vivid description of the sufferings of the Messiah. Let me read just one verse from that psalm to you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. ~ Psalm 69:3<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus cries out, “I thirst,” not just because He was thirsty but so that these Scriptures would be fulfilled. There was an intentionality behind His words and what an incredible picture we have of Jesus knowing and honoring the Scriptures, and His care that every prophecy about Him should be fulfilled, and also His willingness to submit to those very words. When I think about Jesus’ attitude toward Scripture, I’m incredibly challenged, and I have to ask myself …<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do I know and love God’s Word that way? <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do I meditate on it enough to bring it to mind when I’m struggling? <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Am I willing to submit to Scripture as Jesus did?<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Secondly, Jesus says the words “I thirst” not just to fulfill Scripture but also because He was genuinely thirsty. For us, this a precious reminder of Jesus’ humanity. You see, God doesn’t get thirsty … God in the flesh, on the other hand … that’s a different story. From His birth all the way to His final breath, He shared in our humanity. At the beginning of the Gospel of John we’re reminded that “the Word became flesh.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus was not now God minus some of his deity. Nor was He all God and mostly human. Remaining what he was, he became what he was not. He became fully human without ever ceasing to be fully God. Why? John Piper said it like this: “Jesus didn’t have a body. He could not die. And yet he wanted to die for you. So, he planned the whole thing by clothing himself with a body so that he could get hungry and get thirsty and become weary ... to experience all that we experience even to the point of death”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One of the fundamental characteristics of love is a willingness to enter into the world of another person and this is what Jesus did. He knows the temptations we face. He understands the limitations of the human body and the difficulty of relationships and the complexity of family dynamics. He knows what it’s like to be betrayed and abused and alone and in physical pain. Isaiah 53 says that He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief … Jesus literally said, “This is my body which is broken for you.” Jesus has a complete understanding of what it’s like to be one of us because for 30 plus years He wrapped our injured flesh around Himself and made His home in our broken world.<b> </b>He entered into our sufferings so He could be a sympathetic, “merciful and faithful high priest” (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Heb.%202.17" target="_blank">Heb. 2:17</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus said, “I thirst” to fulfill Scripture. Jesus said, “I thirst” revealing that He has understands what it’s like to be one of us. And Jesus said, “I thirst” so that our spiritual thirst might be quenched. Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4 that the water He gives will become a flowing fountain that gives eternal life. Are you thirsty in some way? Your spiritual thirst is nothing to be ashamed of. Jesus became physically thirsty because He knew we would be spiritually thirsty for Him. If you’re thirsty, you can come to Jesus. He will give you what you need.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. ~ Isaiah 55:1 CEV</span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-29249687352782390372022-04-14T16:10:00.002-04:002022-04-14T16:10:52.889-04:00Humility and Service<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk-CP9hEGHd_oFfIfOP4poLG_HXrCXgIdQMTrY8b9FyMQ2BSOK2tBsXisg7uR2XTLVfQttmID-6C6hJqMN3NHteGQCESawaB9mHS1VyvyDADUl3OX_BSYWcki1yMSgrDSBxtVtDc9jT5nyizzu4ckOzG79HqzUruPe0L75KqUibEYBfyo-oem7p6PFw/s1536/N01394_10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1536" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk-CP9hEGHd_oFfIfOP4poLG_HXrCXgIdQMTrY8b9FyMQ2BSOK2tBsXisg7uR2XTLVfQttmID-6C6hJqMN3NHteGQCESawaB9mHS1VyvyDADUl3OX_BSYWcki1yMSgrDSBxtVtDc9jT5nyizzu4ckOzG79HqzUruPe0L75KqUibEYBfyo-oem7p6PFw/s320/N01394_10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On this day during the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, He gave one of the most powerful lessons ever to be demonstrated and his disciples had one of the most foolish arguments ever to be recorded. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One set the stage for the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The message paraphrase of Luke 22:14 - 20 records it like this: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When it was time, he (Jesus) sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, “You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, “Take this and pass it among you. As for me, I’ll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Take a moment to imagine yourself in that room. If you’ve ever been in a group setting where someone is sharing intimate details about something that has happened in their life, maybe something they’ve never shared with anyone before, you just know what a tender moment that is and how everyone is intently listening and you just see in the eyes of the person who is sharing how vulnerable they are being. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This is what I imagine that scene to be like. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus vulnerably yet passionately sharing … the disciples not fully understanding it all yet deeply engaged. And then, seemingly out of nowhere Jesus says something that doesn’t seem to fit the scene. In verse 21 he says …<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><sup> </sup></b>Do you realize that the hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table?” We’re then told in verse 23 that, “They immediately became suspicious of each other and began quizzing one another, wondering who might be about to do this.</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Again, place yourself in that room. Picture how this conversation might have gone. Jesus says, “The hand of the one who is betraying me is at this moment on this table,” and immediately each of the disciples pulls their hands back off the table and is like, “It’s not me! Since it’s not me, it must be you!” Each one of the disciples then begins to boast of their own achievements and all the things they have done for Jesus or done with Jesus. Luke 22 goes on to say that “Within minutes they were bickering over who of them would end up the greatest.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It all seems so silly … until I start to think about what I often do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In a world that celebrates achievements and strength, it’s easy to believe that God takes most pleasure in us when we are strong and achieving. We believe that the stronger we are the more righteous we are. But I believe righteousness looks more like humility than it does strength. Righteousness is not us pounding our chest because we just memorized another Bible verse or because we didn’t cave to whatever it was that we gave up for Lent or pointing to something “trophy” we have hanging on a figurative wall that helps you feel better about ourselves. Righteousness often reveals itself by simply saying, “Lord, my hands were on this table. Have mercy on me, a sinner.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Now, it’s during this argument that Apostle John records in his Gospel that Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and began washing the disciple’s feet. I realize that I’m taking some liberty here by piecing some things together from the Gospel accounts, but I just want you to imagine with me that when Jesus kneels and begins to wash the feet of that first disciple, he says what’s recorded in Luke 22:24 – 27. As he gently begins to wash the first disciple’s feet, Jesus says “Kings like to throw their weight around and people in authority like to give themselves fancy titles. It’s not going to be that way with you. Let the senior among you become like the junior; let the leader act the part of the servant.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When he finishes washing the feet of the last disciple, Jesus is left standing there with a dirty towel and a bowl full of muddy water and He says, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so! There’s no doubt who has the greatest position in this room. Now let me show you what you do with the position you have; with the title you have. You serve. Humility doesn’t shy away from position or power. It simply uses those things for the good of others and it’s exactly the type of life that Jesus calls us to … a life marked with humility and demonstrated through serving others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">But, if this were the only message of Jesus, I’m not so sure that would be considered good news. It’s one thing for me to hear that I’m supposed to humbly serve. If only it were as simple as hearing it and then doing it. I’m not sure what it’s like for you, but the reality for me is that I need more than for someone to tell me what I should do and who I should be. I need help to do and to be!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I often find myself responding like Peter when Jesus began to wash his feet. Peter basically said, “I’m good. I don’t need you to do that. I can manage on my own. I’ll figure it out.” Jesus basically had to convince Peter that He not only wanted to serve him, but Peter NEEDED Jesus to serve him. So do we.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do you believe that Jesus wants to serve you today? </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve.” One of the most amazing things about following Jesus is that it’s not just a call to serve him. It’s also a call to learn how to be served BY Him. Some of us find it easier to serve Jesus than to allow ourselves to be served by Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Where do you need Jesus to serve you today?</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The more I realize that Jesus has not only offered Himself to me like this in the past but continues to do so today, the more the hardness of my heart is broken down and I begin to see my pride and selfishness. You see, if I focus on trying to be humble or trying to be a servant, ironically enough, I start to find pride in my humility and my service. But when I turn my focus to Jesus who “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6 – 8) The more I remember Jesus, the more I begin to realize that I cannot force myself into humility. I cannot force myself to become a servant. I can only repent myself into those things by gazing upon His humility and remembering how He willingly serves you and me even today. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Humility feels elusive. I can do “humble” things (like serve) without actually being humble. Often my motives are a jumbled mess of the best and the worst in me. I’m so grateful for the Lord and His grace and kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If I were in that room sharing that meal with Jesus and the disciples, my hands would have been on the table too. I would have tried to prove myself, would have tried to convince everyone that, while I may not be as “good” as that guy, I’m not as “bad” as that other one. I boast far too often in my perceived strengths and find value there. As the years go on, I hope I can say what the Apostle said, “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I look to Jesus, I remember that “He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:10 – 11)</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-56648758997927953902022-03-08T21:48:00.000-05:002022-03-08T21:48:22.217-05:00Grumbling and Complaining<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLEZ9wSXM4sFtb1UIivAXhxMgKj8nohi5UzkSU9OrTfCxlGrU3udiEyUe0V7LksPzNzhwEMe5BT32vyUoiK6qFxER02kfEUL_moi-K7z3m6GWxyS-rSJW_B5IQQ2M9Ci_bCwDVkKAUaBzN9M9-cILjcCbcl0jXy5qp3g-smhyFe832Lr95NDLx254Kfg=s1660" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1660" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLEZ9wSXM4sFtb1UIivAXhxMgKj8nohi5UzkSU9OrTfCxlGrU3udiEyUe0V7LksPzNzhwEMe5BT32vyUoiK6qFxER02kfEUL_moi-K7z3m6GWxyS-rSJW_B5IQQ2M9Ci_bCwDVkKAUaBzN9M9-cILjcCbcl0jXy5qp3g-smhyFe832Lr95NDLx254Kfg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I know it may be hard to believe because of the 2011 mini-van I drive, but our family doesn’t have a lot of, if any, discretionary income. We live on a budget. It’s tight. So, the current gas prices are hitting us hard, just as they are everyone else. I don’t know enough about domestic policies or financial policies to speak into what should or shouldn’t be done about the rising costs of fuel, so I’m in no way qualified to speak into all that (although that doesn’t seem to keep others from doing so, unfortunately). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In the midst of the rising gas prices, though, I’ve been challenged by Philippians 2:14 which says, <b>“Do everything without complaining and arguing."</b> I’m wondering if it’s possible to fill up my tank these days without complaining. If God is calling me not to complain (other versions use the word <b>“grumble”)</b>, there must be a good reason for it. He’s not just giving me busy work. He’s telling me not to complain or grumble because it will lead to something destructive at the core of who I am.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Biblically, when I think of the words “complaining” or “grumbling,” I think of the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. Exodus chapters 15 and 16 describe them as people who <b>grumbled</b> against Moses, <b>grumbled </b>against Aaron and they <b>grumbled </b>against God Himself. Even though God did the miraculous to deliver them, they grumbled and complained all throughout their journey. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In Deuteronomy 8:2 we find out a little bit more about this. Moses wrote, <b>“</b><b><span style="color: #010f18;">Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Try to think of their journey through the wilderness in terms of a snow globe. When you think about it, you don’t see all the white stuff lying dormant in a snow globe until it gets shaken up a bit. It’s the shaking of the snow globe that reveals what was lying dormant inside of it. In the same way, the difficulties the people of Israel encountered “shook” them and began to reveal that grumbling was in their heart … "God I deserve better than this." It revealed that complaining was in their heart … “God, why aren’t you giving me what I want right now!?” It revealed pride in their heart … “Moses is an idiot! He has no idea what he’s doing!” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I see something similar happening inside of me and something similar happening within many of us. I don’t grumble and complain because of the gas prices. I grumble and complain because grumbling and complaining are present within my heart. The price of gas is simply the situation that shook me to reveal what was there all along. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Proverbs 4:23 tells us to <b>“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” </b>What that tells me is every word, every action, every thought … all of what we do highlights what is in our heart because whatever is in control of our heart will direct our actions. This is something Jesus confirmed for us when He told us in Mark 7:20 – 23 <b>“It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”</b> Sin begins in my heart long before it ever acts out in my words or my actions. Everything we do, everything we say, every attitude we have is going flow from our heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God wants to reveal these things to me, to us … not to guilt us, not to punish us, but rather to transform us. For me personally, and maybe for you as well, God is using the price of gas as a means of grace by helping me see what is operating in my heart. High gas prices have simply brought to the surface in my life what God longs to transform. Which means, even though I’m not happy about paying more at the pump, I can be thankful because God is at work in my life revealing what it is that He longs to transform. It could be that filling up the mini-van may be one of the most worshipful things I do this week if I remember that God is refining me as I do.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’ll leave you with this quote from Paul Tripp:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Honestly admit that you may be more arrogant, demanding, and entitled than you think. Confess where you need to confess, both to God and to others. Finally, don't be afraid of what may be revealed. God has already forgiven you on the Cross, and on top of that, he provides abundant and life-transforming grace for you, right here, right now (and allow me to add) even in the midst of high gas prices. </span></p></blockquote>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-52801064639587831092022-01-28T09:50:00.002-05:002022-01-28T09:50:32.253-05:00It's Important to Date Each Other<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg1BUMSgQwIhEhu0kSIVE2n-rJEbvU1_4ITPcHgeFjBPM84CQ4fkO4VOl2g20pKcE0obJA4lRoaD4nJyvHRWNg2ae-HoWlhPMl3IKVmFx_PObXEv81pUPzUFMJmqMDBCbHRRVlDnI65vwtfc30RBcDWUgFNk_pI5be1LDOW0W64mZh6ffNhgV_guEMLQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg1BUMSgQwIhEhu0kSIVE2n-rJEbvU1_4ITPcHgeFjBPM84CQ4fkO4VOl2g20pKcE0obJA4lRoaD4nJyvHRWNg2ae-HoWlhPMl3IKVmFx_PObXEv81pUPzUFMJmqMDBCbHRRVlDnI65vwtfc30RBcDWUgFNk_pI5be1LDOW0W64mZh6ffNhgV_guEMLQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yesterday marked the 21st anniversary of my first date with Carol. The photographic evidence is above. I'm still not sure how I got her to agree to go out with me, but I'm sure glad she said "yes." As a good seminary student at the time, I thought we should have a Bible sitting between the two of us, but Carol leaned in before I could pull out my NIV. She wanted to get as close to me as she could ... at least that's how I remember it. :)</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">On that night 21 years ago, it was Olive Garden and a symphony. Last night, though, it was sitting on the couch talking after the kids went to bed. After 19 years of marriage, things have changed just a bit, but what remains the same is I still love dating my wife, whatever form that takes. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">We’ve been married for 19 years and I like to think that’s just a good beginning. We are continuing to learn what it means to love each other like Jesus loves us. <b>Every marriage starts out with two people eager to please one another, but over time life takes over and it gets harder and harder to put the other person first.</b> I am the happiest married man that I know, but can I just say that it’s hard to learn to love like Jesus loves. We are very much in the midst of trying to live this out and trying to figure this out, but I believe with all of my heart that, especially in a world that seems to want to destroy marriage, the greatest gift that Carol and I can give our kids and the greatest gift that we could give our church is a marriage that is centered on the love of Jesus.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dating helps us to do that. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Dating helps us to connect. It helps us to listen and to be heard. It allows us to get away from our normal routine and just be with each other. There's no pressure, no expectations, no demands. We simply get to be. Dating helps my wife to feel pursued by me, cherished by me, nurtured by me, and enjoyed by me. And the point of our dating isn't necessarily what we do, but rather why we do it. We need time together to stay emotionally connected and we have to intentionally pursue opportunities to do that ... whatever form those opportunities take. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The reality is, we simply cannot do some of the things we were able to do early in our marriage. With 4 kids in the mix now, the budget has changed quite a bit. What used to be a weekend get-a-way at a bed and breakfast is now splitting a drink at Starbucks. What used to be dinner and a movie is often now fighting through our own tiredness after the kids go to bed in an effort to simply hear about each other's very ordinary day. Regardless of what it looks like, anything that we do to pursue oneness is going to strengthen our marriage. As marriages thrive, families thrive, children thrive, communities thrive, churches thrive. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">A man by the name of Doug Fields wrote, “There’s only one thing that the Bible tells me to be ‘one’ with … my wife.” No one else is going to fight for our oneness. Only Carol and I can do that through the help of the Holy Spirit. Dating helps us to pursue each other and not get so wrapped up in pursuing other things that could potentially divide us.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Outside of my relationship with Jesus, there is nothing that is more important than my relationship with Carol. And, without Jesus, I have absolutely no chance of withstanding the constant assaults that seek to hinder "oneness" in our relationship. It's a strange thing, but the more I look toward Jesus, the more I find myself desiring to date my wife. The more I look toward Him, the more free I am to look away from myself and toward oneness with Carol.</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-43104343683335379242022-01-25T13:01:00.000-05:002022-01-25T13:01:03.341-05:00Remembering My Friend Galen<p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Today, I was led through an exercise and was asked to think through people who have had an impact on my life. I've been so blessed and was gratefully able to write out a notebook page full of people who have helped me and invested in me and who simply had a Godly influence on my life. One name, in particular, stood out. Tomorrow marks 2 years since he died unexpectedly leaving behind his lovely bride and 4 precious children.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I miss my friend Galen.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I had the opportunity to share briefly (or maybe not so briefly) at his funeral. Below is what I shared. My hope is that it does more than let you know how good of a man Galen was. I pray that it will point you to His Savior. I believe Galen would be the first to say that whatever "good" you see in his life is simply because of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.</span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Galen was one of my closest friends and I, like you, have been grieving this week. My heart is breaking for Kelli and Beniah and Bo and Kezy and Abram. My heart is hurting for his parents, his sisters, his friends. Two Saturdays a month, Galen, Aaron, Paul and myself would get together at 6am and talk about our families and life and God. We were supposed to get together tomorrow and there will be such a void because he will not be there. I miss him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">In times like this, it’s natural to have lots of questions. Why did this happen? What am I going to do now that this has happened? Anyone who has grieved has asked questions like this and it’s very natural to do so. One of the mysteries of God is that He does not always give us answers </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> but one of the wonderful things about God is that He will always give us comfort. God’s presence and our grief can occupy the same space. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” </span>So, if we’re going to mourn, we should mourn together so that we can be comforted together. If we don’t mourn, we won’t receive comfort. So, we’ll mourn today, but we’ll also receive comfort today from God and from each other today. <span style="color: #111111;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I’ve been asked to share just a little bit about the type of man Galen was. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I’d thought I’d use a couple of pictures to describe him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEkoDrnvMw7Fd-8V-OuxnOpGq2XFsp_JaoaZRlQ6FG2FrtFxUrswKVpOGI9vRgGasNtLg1btiE1xnDos5VPc5gLjirh5cxoSw3FF4obcaI4iCx2WqDQ9twGKuRsOnHxU27GIV2QLxTXOLeRndTKZ-DwUg1Qylf_5lsiyst6ztZSyjoqKLNnmh4Kak2aA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEkoDrnvMw7Fd-8V-OuxnOpGq2XFsp_JaoaZRlQ6FG2FrtFxUrswKVpOGI9vRgGasNtLg1btiE1xnDos5VPc5gLjirh5cxoSw3FF4obcaI4iCx2WqDQ9twGKuRsOnHxU27GIV2QLxTXOLeRndTKZ-DwUg1Qylf_5lsiyst6ztZSyjoqKLNnmh4Kak2aA=s320" width="213" /></span></a></div><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">First and foremost, Galen was a follower of Jesus. The greatest hope that Galen had in life and the greatest hope that Galen had in death was that he belonged to the Lord. How could a man who lived with cancer for 6 years, who dealt with test after test, medical bill after medical bill </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> when you have cancer, it’s just a dark cloud that is always there and you just never know if the next test is going to be the one that shows things are getting worse. How could a man who lived with that every day raise his arms up in the air and worship God like that? It’s because the greatest hope he had was that he belonged to the Lord. He knew that nothing in life and nothing in death would ever separate him from the love of God found in Christ Jesus. Galen was just overwhelmed with the fact that God loved him. He would talk about how good God is and how kind God is and how patient God is and how merciful God is. No one offers more love and grace to others than the one who remembers how much they have received. I’ve heard so many people say, “Galen was such a nice guy.” If you ever wondered how or why Galen was such a nice guy, it’s because he was just in awe of the fact that Jesus loved him and gave himself for him. The kindness of God was the motivation for his own kindness. The love he had received from God shaped the way he lived his life.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0Pwp-LBOE3TfY_wSOksPfjhBKAeyOL-cAEsfroXkJoLnuCOlF9Z4RSmyikBgp6LGW5-YbZ4y6h63zRiQC4zAk9mEtoKbLunSfa784aLK-j4eagA8p-rqteTYwPHtGU0QnACnNEYlspZph9-u8kdo6NsoFDK4IPpABlD035DzPQmhWtbr50cuGZLbsdQ=s450" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0Pwp-LBOE3TfY_wSOksPfjhBKAeyOL-cAEsfroXkJoLnuCOlF9Z4RSmyikBgp6LGW5-YbZ4y6h63zRiQC4zAk9mEtoKbLunSfa784aLK-j4eagA8p-rqteTYwPHtGU0QnACnNEYlspZph9-u8kdo6NsoFDK4IPpABlD035DzPQmhWtbr50cuGZLbsdQ=s320" width="256" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;">Galen was a man of prayer. He just seemed to love talking to God. And, when we’d pray together, his prayers were not fancy </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;">…</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"> no big words or anything like that. He just talked to God like you’d talk to a friend. I’d regularly get texts from him saying, “Just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for ya.” As I look at this picture here, I don’t know what Galen was praying about, but I’d be willing to bet he was praying for Kelli, he was praying for his kids, and he was probably praying for many of us in this room. Whatever Galen was praying, that prayer is still in the mind of God, and I believe it is still having an impact today.</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1beTpgbXFkT3hUQujSzeAUGDqMHRDr3so712Iwh_fEPlAswxKL4gbMTg5ovgMWUhHBnu1J8g4a7TBxZFrmh2g9rxDDxI_05JBHHcB_R0hbnASk8FK9EWWR6hgLwGORbTVZhSKjAxnBJ4KfHAWJizbm9mesU6yxwrz9AUwNHKVIqDEsYvQDd22hsxcNA=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1beTpgbXFkT3hUQujSzeAUGDqMHRDr3so712Iwh_fEPlAswxKL4gbMTg5ovgMWUhHBnu1J8g4a7TBxZFrmh2g9rxDDxI_05JBHHcB_R0hbnASk8FK9EWWR6hgLwGORbTVZhSKjAxnBJ4KfHAWJizbm9mesU6yxwrz9AUwNHKVIqDEsYvQDd22hsxcNA=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Galen was a servant. The same hands he used to pray are the same hands he used to serve. This is a picture of him serving at the Boys and Girls Club in Goshen. He served quietly. He served regularly. He served behind the scenes. He served kids. He served teenagers. He served adults. There were times he would just show up at our house with a truckload of firewood and say, “I noticed your pile was getting low.” Galen gave. He sacrificed. He served. And the reason he did that was because he looked to Jesus and remembered that Jesus said, “I have not come to be served but to serve and to offer my life as a ransom for many.” Knowing Jesus just shaped the way he lived his life and because Jesus gave himself, Galen wanted to do that for others. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1k4_z63gXiWjxSvNqmGQJhzSYgzUepPReroSVTK6h35e3D6baO_ZxfXXWcpqL64JytadtXL90JImtL3iEOeDzMudk2l3ez9TLbXIyvojOuu75T-DIyo2OVogDS-6sU_7DoqV8R6FbaWaVqaRwDKquBvbBag9ef0vJyilBVkKIQZ6FexKOsFTXgHPPQ=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1k4_z63gXiWjxSvNqmGQJhzSYgzUepPReroSVTK6h35e3D6baO_ZxfXXWcpqL64JytadtXL90JImtL3iEOeDzMudk2l3ez9TLbXIyvojOuu75T-DIyo2OVogDS-6sU_7DoqV8R6FbaWaVqaRwDKquBvbBag9ef0vJyilBVkKIQZ6FexKOsFTXgHPPQ=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">Galen was a Godly husband. He jokingly told me one time that “Kelli compromises a little and I compromise a lot.” One thing was never in doubt </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> he loved Kelli so much. He always spoke about Kelli with honor and love and respect. Kelli, just like any couple, I know you had your moments, but I can tell you this, any time he talked to me about you, he honored you. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This was his motivation in loving you, Kelli </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> Jesus loves me </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> Jesus gave himself up for me </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> how can I love Kelli and give myself for her. </span></span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5CNBwzev2kfteGTBYvQX__RGqSOra7EcTUiZZg6L_-eZTfjTwh1Kbz3YBCzpXuLr-_l94QhVQmT0ZNk26a3R0Eb8mhNXqcZH054C0CMr3A2gkoyAw-dIHrPjT-joEvouPshRPhmtu6ZWyzR_LmapQWyeF-rqGRBz1LMM9yrIVoyWOCrUERfOufvrjA=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEir5CNBwzev2kfteGTBYvQX__RGqSOra7EcTUiZZg6L_-eZTfjTwh1Kbz3YBCzpXuLr-_l94QhVQmT0ZNk26a3R0Eb8mhNXqcZH054C0CMr3A2gkoyAw-dIHrPjT-joEvouPshRPhmtu6ZWyzR_LmapQWyeF-rqGRBz1LMM9yrIVoyWOCrUERfOufvrjA=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">He was a great dad. He was involved. He was present. He would take the kids outside, run around with them, toss football with them, have water balloon fights with them, get dirty with them. If our earthly Fathers are the first picture of our heavenly Father, Galen gave his kids an incredible picture of who God truly is.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinNf1G06SwJQvbyPp7YxuWAXDk8Z44v0QWLczdCI-UfACb1UDdSn638DEVRFIExBtdYBLAM_cthAU785iwTtL9AWDPa3C0IyEvocYm6szg7a99CsrQA58Mk773T-7CfUMxcNYAzE3xlJnoUSoPKQU21aLHJFexMIFvxaOHLpCmB74xtypj-IGWaUYJ9Q=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinNf1G06SwJQvbyPp7YxuWAXDk8Z44v0QWLczdCI-UfACb1UDdSn638DEVRFIExBtdYBLAM_cthAU785iwTtL9AWDPa3C0IyEvocYm6szg7a99CsrQA58Mk773T-7CfUMxcNYAzE3xlJnoUSoPKQU21aLHJFexMIFvxaOHLpCmB74xtypj-IGWaUYJ9Q=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">Galen loved his kids, but one of the things I loved about Galen was that he loved our kids too. You can’t really tell in this picture, but that’s Galen on the floor with two of my kids on top of him. This was a common occurrence. When we moved into our home last year, Galen and Kelli watched Judah for us and when Carol came to pick Judah up, she said that she walked into your house and Galen was just on the floor wrestling with the kids </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> and this after he spent a good part of the day helping us move a bunch of heavy stuff and hooking up our washer and dryer for us. I pray regularly that God would surround my kids with Godly role models </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span><span style="color: #111111;"> men and women that will invest in them and help them stay centered on Jesus. Galen was an answer to my prayer.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh16yR5cuJ7G4JICXP3vewBMQKDbVyE_qi9jd8qJ11LjCKSy0VpEJ1dNH0ga-10ylDz4IFWBFe4mXlCoFE4eNhmqcKa4tUmmHq8th7Y6P-SZiy4chYieG0JwWbDk04qbXqi1a5gT8kzZK2dL6cl7sRKyft-V3pu9hwUOk5SmYHWvoD4CavS-jKJD4Kzmg=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh16yR5cuJ7G4JICXP3vewBMQKDbVyE_qi9jd8qJ11LjCKSy0VpEJ1dNH0ga-10ylDz4IFWBFe4mXlCoFE4eNhmqcKa4tUmmHq8th7Y6P-SZiy4chYieG0JwWbDk04qbXqi1a5gT8kzZK2dL6cl7sRKyft-V3pu9hwUOk5SmYHWvoD4CavS-jKJD4Kzmg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><p align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Galen was a hard worker. I personally have zero ability to build things or fix things. My two favorite words are “close enough.” That’s probably why I’ll never work for DJ Construction like Galen did. I was just always in awe of what Galen could do. I remember talking to him one time about working construction and, spoken like a guy who works in an office all day, I asked, “What do you do when it’s cold outside?” And he just looked at me and was like, “You dress warm.” You just do what you gotta do. He was always willing to put in a hard days’ work. And there were times he would get frustrated and tired because work can be hard and not every day is enjoyable, but he woke up every day, put on his boots, and said, “I’m going to work today as if I’m working for the Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_NR2uDKwjUDRCo_mWRM3-iN_a02KcZ_3nx4yI5cFe2JFfYnd83SBwyzrbQxuyydobil27BrnzdqUmXeM7XaPyApFZ6KzBk8tp6hnNa1_VMzgq0pxnMGo06mlC5xNnQaGrspFaCxTnOs33vFf3mR5VPaKD-yCzOWuAO4_4Mbg_BI_QFLTfT2KZV8lKrQ=s1759" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1759" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_NR2uDKwjUDRCo_mWRM3-iN_a02KcZ_3nx4yI5cFe2JFfYnd83SBwyzrbQxuyydobil27BrnzdqUmXeM7XaPyApFZ6KzBk8tp6hnNa1_VMzgq0pxnMGo06mlC5xNnQaGrspFaCxTnOs33vFf3mR5VPaKD-yCzOWuAO4_4Mbg_BI_QFLTfT2KZV8lKrQ=s320" width="205" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;">Galen was funny too.</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;">This is a text message that Galen sent.</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;">He’s holding a movie ticket to Downton Abbey and said, “I don’t even know who I am anymore.”</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;">He had a quick wit, was willing to laugh at himself, would tease other people, he would joke, he would laugh, he didn’t take himself too seriously.</span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;">His sense of humor was a real gift and if laughter is good medicine, he helped me feel better all the time.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #111111;">But, if you really want to know about Galen, take a moment and look around. We are all here because of him. Hundreds of us. Our presence here is evidence of a life well lived. Jesus said that we are to let our lights shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This is what we have been invited to do today </span><span style="color: #111111;">…</span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> to look at Galen’s life and then say, “Praise God.” </span><span style="font-family: Kannada Sangam MN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-51476021504886109112022-01-20T20:47:00.001-05:002022-01-20T20:47:09.284-05:00Lessons from Turning 50<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOHeKAMh8K-hZ_wEibNPFMhmNTKilJsCzcMw1xkS9KtAH0g78BRgAYNwi2-KPJ2gHBzy4YMhsmA6xLGMSIbpp_3JTm2UZeIf7Tw-G6kZgMkrFS3kUiIR5oAXN_P59-BtazW-6A8vEItBohC-8kJ_nbJayN4Y5ZIf-UWc8Q5gTpq8BGOBjHO1KrhvAdnw=s300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="300" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOHeKAMh8K-hZ_wEibNPFMhmNTKilJsCzcMw1xkS9KtAH0g78BRgAYNwi2-KPJ2gHBzy4YMhsmA6xLGMSIbpp_3JTm2UZeIf7Tw-G6kZgMkrFS3kUiIR5oAXN_P59-BtazW-6A8vEItBohC-8kJ_nbJayN4Y5ZIf-UWc8Q5gTpq8BGOBjHO1KrhvAdnw" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I turned 50 last year. It’s not that I feel old, but I certainly feel older. I’m becoming more and more aware that my body doesn’t do what it used to do. I have literally gone to bed and woke up only to discover I pulled a muscle. An all-nighter these days is simply not getting up to go to the bathroom. Hair is not growing where it used to grow and IS growing where it never used to grow! The joys of aging.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At one point in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Marion (played by Karen Allen) says to Indiana Jones, "You're not the man I knew ten years ago." He responds with: "It's not the years, honey. It's the mileage." I’m not the man I was 10 years ago either. Honestly, that’s a good thing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I took some time recently to reflect upon the past 10 years … from when I turned 40 to when I turned 50. At 40, I was expecting to serve at one church my entire life, live in the same area my entire life, and succeed at accomplishing something that would have a major impact on people’s lives. As Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans,” (and I certainly did) but the LORD determines our steps (and He certainly did).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The last decade of my life hasn’t been at all what I would have expected. Instead of serving in one church, I’ve served in 3 different churches. Instead of living in one home in one area, I’ve sold and purchased 3 different homes in different areas. I’ve shot back and forth between Indiana and Maryland like a tennis ball at Wimbledon. I’ve hurt my family in that process, friends in that process, and ministries in that process. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I also never anticipated death to hit so closely to home. While I was able to experience amazing joy in the birth of our fourth child, in the last ten years I also experienced the death of my dad, my brother, and one of my best friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">To top it off, I certainly haven’t accomplished anything “great.” In all honesty, there’s really nothing “major” that I can point to … no great accomplishments, no books published, no national speaking engagements, no prizes, no awards, no great successes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Over the last decade I would find that I would compare myself to others a lot. I thought I needed to do more to be more. I was afraid to speak up about things I disagreed with because I feared the disapproval of others. I wanted to be popular and applauded. I wasn’t content with the gifts that God had given to me. I felt I needed to work for God’s approval rather than from a position of God’s approval. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In so many ways I was a mess.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even if from 40 to 50 I had developed ripped abs, accomplished all I wanted to, and was given accolade after accolade, I would have reached 50 frustrated. The reason for that is because I’m not the answer to my satisfaction. I believe this is one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in the last 10 years and it’s a lesson that has come from painful mistakes and losses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I recently had a conversation with someone, and he said to me, “You just seem to be more comfortable in your own skin.” I was so grateful for his words and if he would have only known what God had done in my life over the past 10 years to get me to a place of simply started to feel more content … more comfortable with who He has created me to be. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Around 2019 I started examining my life with a counselor and a mentor. I also started a leadership program through Arrow Leadership. God used this gracious combination to help me begin to see sinful patterns, unhealthy ways of coping, and most of all a strong desire for approval. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There’s an interesting verse in Ecclesiastes 7:29 … <b>“This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.”</b> Why is that? Well, in the deepest part of our being there is this nagging hunger. Our heart longs to be filled. Our heart longs for something to give it worth and value. Our heart craves to be loved, to be secure, to have purpose and meaning and significance. And these cravings for worth, value, significance, purpose, identity … these cravings will demand our attention … and so we search for something or someone to fill these longings. Ultimately what we are searching for is found in our Creator God, but ever since the fall in Genesis 3, the natural direction of my heart does not lean toward God. So, I can easily go searching for things outside of God to find what only God offers. I may look to a relationship, my own comfort, success, excitement, accolades, my kids, fame, wealth, eating too much, eating too little … I mean, you can fill in the blank with almost anything. This is a picture of so many lives today. It was a picture of my life for so many years … my soul “going in search of many schemes.” I’m so thankful that God, in His grace, kept me unsatisfied so I could begin to learn that He alone “satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">I have no idea what the next day, let alone the next 10 years will hold in store. One thing I believe … God is with me and He is kind. He will continue to pursue me and refine me and, as Paul Tripp has said, “God will take you where you haven’t intended to go in order to produce in you what you could never achieve on your own.” I never thought I’d live in 5 different homes in the last 10 years. I never thought I’d lose my dad, my brother, and my close friend in the span of 2 years. I never thought I’d move from Indiana to Maryland … from Maryland to Indiana … and then from Indiana to Maryland AGAIN. But the Lord has used it all to bring to the surface what He longs to transform in my life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">There is so much more that God desires to do in me. I’m only at the beginning stages of learning how to rest in my identity as a beloved child of God and to work/serve from a position of acceptance rather than for acceptance. I’m realizing more and more that “impressive” is not something I need to strive for as a Christ-follower. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Aspire to live quietly,” (1 Thes. 4:11)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul,” (1 Peter 2:12)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“Blessed are the meek,” ( Matthew 5:5)</span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">As I think about what it means to share my faith with others, I hope I do so in such a way that people get the idea that Jesus is great and not me. We can all just leave the “awesome” to Jesus and rest contentedly in who He is and who He has made us to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Little by little, step by step, the Lord continues to work this out in my heart. As He does, my hope is that I can serve others from a place of rest and not anxiousness, to allow my being with God to sustain my doing for Him, and to offer to others the grace and kindness I have received from Him.</span></p>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5702027225445139133.post-54716603434876617692021-12-23T14:51:00.002-05:002021-12-23T14:53:27.505-05:00Nothing Is Impossible with God<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZByrre-hvWm1Ds3oSVmy6UT407-8tJLj4EGnwCg7wDBdYzhQqImA1lQ7764YVgZgo7u7X_Gqu2_Phxhkl27ADfrxX6TWzAPHed-GfYf7D3GKAVsIg9AO2uCi1HKOavKkziA8fl_WaAx4vOf_B2MziXPNAMQWkNC3k04SnQ92gme8NsXK97aQ2zv9v4Q=s1536" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZByrre-hvWm1Ds3oSVmy6UT407-8tJLj4EGnwCg7wDBdYzhQqImA1lQ7764YVgZgo7u7X_Gqu2_Phxhkl27ADfrxX6TWzAPHed-GfYf7D3GKAVsIg9AO2uCi1HKOavKkziA8fl_WaAx4vOf_B2MziXPNAMQWkNC3k04SnQ92gme8NsXK97aQ2zv9v4Q=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When the angel Gabriel came to Mary with the incredible news that she would give birth to the Messiah, Mary responded by saying, <b>“How will this be, since I am a virgin?”</b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">That’s a fair question. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Up to this point in her life, Mary could have taken every pregnancy test known to man and they all would have come back negative for one very simple reason: Virgins do not have positive pregnancy tests … that is until now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>“How will this be?”</b> It’s a question I find myself asking often. “God, you promise to finish in me the work You started. How will this be?” “Jesus, you say that if I’m weary and burdened that I can come to You and You will give me rest. How will this be?” “God, you say that I am more than a conqueror, but that’s not how I’m feeling right now. How will this be?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">If you’re anything like me, I sometimes find it easier to tell God what He can’t do rather than allowing Him to tell me what He can. Christmas is, once again, a reminder that when we ask the question, “How will this be,” the answer is always <b>“with God all things are possible.”</b> All things … not some things … not a few things … not simply things that fit within our limits … but ALL things are possible. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Do you believe that today?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">“How will this be?” <b>"I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”</b> (Jeremiah 32:27) How will this be? <b>"O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” </b>(Jeremiah 32:17) How will this be? <b>“Overhearing what they said, Jesus told them, ‘Don’t be afraid: just believe.’”</b> (Mark 5:36) How will this be? <b>“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’" </b>(Matthew 19:26) When Mary asked the question, “How will this be,” Gabriel’s answer was consistent with God’s character since the beginning of time: <b>“For nothing is impossible with God.”</b> (Luke 1:37)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One day our last breath will mean that we are, at last, standing before the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I’m not exactly sure what that moment will be like, but I’m pretty confident that even my best thoughts about who God is will be far below the reality I will one day see. Until that day, I pray that we will all be able to see Him as one <b>“who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” </b>(Ephesians 3:20) As we inch closer to celebrating the birth of our Savior, may our faith be anchored in a God who still likes to show off His power and may we discover, as Mary did, that nothing is impossible with God. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #333333; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #333333; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Verses to Consider: Jeremiah 32:27, Jeremiah 32:17, Mark 5:36, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:14 - 21</span></span>Rich Yaugerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04381324747596292311noreply@blogger.com0