tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79678255857028805922024-02-07T01:39:34.367-08:00StrongmanApologetics.comStrength of Body, Mind and Spirit.Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-81784630844606004372017-04-12T11:12:00.001-07:002017-04-12T13:58:15.247-07:00Is it the church's job to feed us? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been around the church my entire life and often hear about how people are "church shopping." When asked why they are looking for a new church, the response is often "I just don't feel like I am being fed there!" My question is: "Is it the church's job to feed you?"<br />
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The term "church shopping" and being "spiritually fed" stem from the same dynamic: Christian Consumerism. We feel like the church is there for one purpose: to fulfill my needs. But is that why the church exists?<br />
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There are certain groups of people who need to be fed: Babies, the Weak and the Injured.<br />
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Dianne and I are about to welcome a new baby into our world. For the first stage of his life he will be completely dependent upon us to feed him. We expect this and actually will really enjoy caring for our precious baby in this way. It is completely normal for a baby to need to be fed, but if i had to spoon feed my 15 year old son that would mean something was desperately wrong with his development. <br />
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Don't get me wrong, the term "baby" is in no way an insult. All humans begin as babies and all Christians start out as baby Christians. Christians who are new in their faith are actually really fun to be around. I find their zeal, excitement, questions and even immaturity, delightful and refreshing. They are dependent upon the church to feed them in that infant stage. I find their desire to be spiritually spoon fed completely normal and natural.<br />
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The weak and injured also depend upon the church to spiritually spoon feed them. This is to be expected. Many times Dianne and I have had to feed our children when they were too sick or hurt to be able to do it themselves. We have done it gladly because of our love for them. <br />
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We have also done the same for many weak and injured believers within the church. We did it gladly because of how much we love them. I believe the church should be a place where the spiritually weak, immature and injured can be fed and cared for with grace and love.<br />
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But now we come to the heart of the matter. <br />
Should mature healthy Christians expect the church to feed them?<br />
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1 Peter 2:2 says "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation."<br />
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We will continue our analogy. The older my children get, the more I expect them to feed themselves. It is normal, healthy and natural for them to learn to care for themselves.<br />
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The more mature a Christian becomes the less they rely upon the church to feed them and care for their needs. <br />
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Don't get me wrong. I am a preacher and work very hard to prepare sermons that lay out a banquet of spiritual food. I want my messages to be encouraging, challenging, and uplifting. <br />
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My wife is an amazing cook and she could prepare me the most delicious and nutritious meal I could ever eat, but if that was the only meal I ate each week, I would be in a desperate physical condition! <br />
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This is how I began my spiritual journey. I was dependent upon the church and my parents to feed me spiritually. My journey with Jesus changed forever when I decided that I was going to learn how to feed myself. I made a commitment to God and myself that I would spend an hour reading God's word before I went to bed each night. At first it was a struggle, but then God began to open my eyes and I couldn't get enough of God's word. That is when I began to grow by leaps and bounds. <br />
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I am not angry at those who are "church shopping" or depending on the church to "feed" them spiritually. I understand why you feel that way. Unfortunately, I feel like the church as a whole has been guilty of encouraging this dependence. We haven't taught believers how to feed themselves spiritually. <br />
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The church is a lot of things to a lot of people and I am grateful that God has called me to work in the church, but if you are looking to the church to be your only source of spiritual health and well being you will be greatly disappointed. You will never find a church that will adequately meet all of your needs because it wasn't designed to do that, only God can!Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-27377469232472650032016-11-22T19:49:00.001-08:002016-11-22T19:49:27.492-08:00My Most Shocking Blog Ever!
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You may be asking yourself, “Is this just another one of
Brad’s attempt at click-bait?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He has written some pretty shocking blogs already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What in the world could he be writing about
that is so shocking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Am I going to be offended after reading this?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hopefully not, but please hear me out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that I live in the greatest country on earth,
and that I have so many freedoms that millions of people around the world take
for granted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that I was raised by the most loving, Godly
parents a kid could ever ask for!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that I am married to the most beautiful,
talented, compassionate woman I have ever met!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that we have three healthy, kind, creative,
intelligent children who love Jesus with all of their hearts!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that we have more than enough of everything
that we need!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that we have a church family who loves us so
deeply!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked by all of the amazing friendships I have been
able to have!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that I get paid to do what I love: sharing the
life-changing truth of Jesus-Christ with students and adults!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that I have had the opportunity to travel the
world telling others about the God who loves them unconditionally! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This may sound like I am gloating, but I must tell you where
all of these shocking blessings come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that the God of the universe loves me with an indescribable
love! That He thinks about me continually!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That He surrounds me with loving-kindness! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that through Jesus Christ I am forgiven of ALL
of my sins!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And I will let you in on a
little secret: I am guilty of some pretty shocking sins that I am never going
to tell you about!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that no matter how abundantly full my life
feels, God continues to pour out more!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked that God continually overwhelms me with
blessings that I could never earn or deserve!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am shocked at how easily I take all of these things for
granted!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today I choose to pause and rehearse the
blessings, freedoms, and privileges that I continually enjoy and I invite you
to pause and do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may shock you
to realize how blessed you really are! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-83676471989400468522016-10-21T14:13:00.003-07:002016-10-21T16:43:54.206-07:00Will You Miss the Rapture?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Growing up, in the church in the 1980’s I had the delightful opportunity as a ten-year-old to see the Christian movie “A Thief in the Night.” If you haven’t seen this cinematic masterpiece, it essentially depicts the terror and horror that many Christians believe will take place in a 7-year period known as “The Great Tribulation,” which happens after God has taken Christians out of the earth in the “Rapture.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why anyone thought it would be a good idea for me at ten years old, to watch this movie is beyond me. I still remember how the scenes of people getting their heads chopped off for not taking the “mark of the beast,” kept me awake at night for months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also was terrified by the scenes depicting people who thought they were Christians, but who for some reason or another weren’t considered good enough or faithful enough to be taken in the “Rapture.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There even was a Pastor who was left behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I guess his theology wasn’t quite perfect enough!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thought of being “left behind” literally gave me nightmares! I remember getting up at night and sneaking over to my parent’s bedroom to put my ear up to their door to see if I could hear them breathing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because I knew that if Mom and Dad were still here than I was OK! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I knew that there couldn’t be any better Christians than my parents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One day my Mom took me to get my sweet mullet trimmed at the high-end beauty salon known as “Fantastic Sam’s.” While I was getting my hair cut she said that she was going to run down the street to another store for a few minutes and be right back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After my haircut was finished, I remember vividly standing there at the huge glass walls holding my orange balloon and Fantastic Sam’s complementary comb, waiting for my mom to return. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know how long it took for her to return, but in my mind, it felt like an eternity!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mind began to race and I was sure of what had happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THE RAPTURE HAD HAPPENED AND I WAS LEFT BEHIND!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mind began to race as I pictured my head being chopped off for not taking the mark of the beast! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just as I could picture the guillotine’s blade coming down, my mom’s car pulled up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ran out to the car crying, “Mom, Where Were You?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I know my mom will fell horrible reading this blog. Don’t worry mom, after many counseling sessions, I am now able to forgive you for abandoning me! Just kidding, love you, mom!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I tell you this story for a reason. I had this distorted perception that I had to be good enough for God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew 5:8 says “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I was a good kid, I went to church my whole life and prayed and “asked Jesus into my heart” at five-years-old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But when you look at the definition of “pure” it means “blameless, innocent, and unstained by guilt.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought I was good, but I knew that I couldn’t possibly be that good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I pictured God like a judge who was constantly grading my behavior to see if I added up or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like he was Simon Cowell on American Idol, and after my best performance he would say, “That was just horrible.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">I had been taught that God loved me, but I wasn’t sure that he liked me!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My problem was I didn’t understand what had taken place when I put my faith in Jesus as a child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 5:21 says “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">When we place our faith in Jesus he exchanges our sin for his perfect righteousness! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Once the exchange is made, when God looks at you, he sees the sinless perfection of Jesus!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 John tells us that “If we are afraid it is because we haven’t fully experienced God’s perfect love.” He also says that we can “face God with confidence on the day of judgment.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As a child,I was afraid of God because I didn’t fully understand what Jesus had done for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has taken me a long time to begin to understand the grace of God, but I now understand what forgiveness really means. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I don’t have to be afraid of God, and neither do you!</span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Regardless what your theology is about the end times. Whether you are pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-millennial, post-millennial, or amillennial doesn't matter. We are probably all wrong! What matters is that you find forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ!</b><br />
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Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-20548170253226195622016-10-02T13:38:00.001-07:002016-10-02T13:49:13.872-07:00The Ridiculous Way We Pray! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been around Christians and Church my entire life and
I am intrigued by our idiosyncrasies. I
am especially fascinated by the way that we pray.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We say things like:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Lord, I pray that you would put a hedge of protection
around us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“God, help us to be Jesus with skin on today.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Father God, I pray that, Jesus, you would help us Lord, to
have a good day, Father God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We say that Prayer is simply talking to God, why do we say
such weird things when we pray?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is a “hedge of protection?” Do we even know?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, we just heard someone else pray that and so we pray it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does it look like to be “Jesus with skin on?” Is there a Jesus without skin on, walking
around? I think that would really freak
people out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do we feel compelled to say varieties of God’s name in
every sentence of our prayers?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How odd would it sound to you if you heard me talking to my
wife like this? “Dianne, I just want to
ask you, Dianne, if you could make me some food, Dianne?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why do we bow our heads and close our eyes when we pray, when Jesus lifted his eyes to heaven when he prayed? (Matthew 14:19)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before you think that I have appointed myself as the prayer
police, I must admit that I am sure that I have done all the things that I have
just described when I have prayed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reason that I think that we say odd things when we pray
is two-fold. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1 1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We pray the way we have heard others pray.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2 2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->We are nervous when we pray.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>1. We pray the way we have heard others pray</u> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is natural to repeat the behavior of the people around
us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first time I heard my kids pray over a meal and say, “Lord
bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies,” I had to laugh!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why would a six-year-old kid ask for God for “nourishment?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this something they would naturally ask for? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, they were repeating what they had heard me pray.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then asked why I prayed that way. Because, I heard my parents pray that way,
who heard their parents pray that way, who heard. . . and so on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3 <u><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->We are nervous!</b></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that we are nervous for a couple of reasons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, we are talking to the creator of the universe. That’s pretty intimidating. I think that’s why we lean towards saying God’s
name a thousand times and making them too formal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, when we pray with others around, I think we want to
sound spiritual and impressive. But the
result is that we just sound weird. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember reading about Moses and how he talked to God like
a man speaks with his friend, and I realized that I don’t talk to God that
way. My prayers sounded like I was
talking to a scary God a million miles away.
I decided a long time ago, that was going to change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many years ago I was hanging out with a teenager, who loved
to skateboard and had recently committed his life to Christ. His prayer sounded something like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“God your so stinkin cool.
You are so totally Rad. I wish
that we could just hang out and go skateboarding sometime. I know that you would have to be so amazing
at it. I mean you like totally walked on
water. Anyways, My Mom and Dad hate each
other right now and are talking about getting a divorce. Would you change this for me? That would be so totally awesome. I love you.
Peace Out!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was someone talking to God like he was his friend! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided to start talking to God like that! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I John 4 says “God is love.
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of
judgement, but can face him with confidence.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of
punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
We love him because he first loved us.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that we do is a response to what God has already done
for us! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Through Jesus we can come boldly come to God the Father!</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants but friends.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What if we stopped talking to God like he is our master and started talking to him like he was our friend?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-49554053833867209402016-09-22T08:29:00.000-07:002016-09-22T12:42:20.590-07:00Is Joel Osteen a False Prophet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRjT9l1ret74oS7y1w-VCiuHzSxHukOU6XkgqSSLXuwFB4CmhZiCF4L_2HX1hn9F5L0aXX8-ymYzJPBxb1MuOBE2PvXIVWbWejSeF6fFpbggS2z4QFF4jjh94aP0PnUCx1qgRqH7lUPj2/s1600/osteen_final_rect.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRjT9l1ret74oS7y1w-VCiuHzSxHukOU6XkgqSSLXuwFB4CmhZiCF4L_2HX1hn9F5L0aXX8-ymYzJPBxb1MuOBE2PvXIVWbWejSeF6fFpbggS2z4QFF4jjh94aP0PnUCx1qgRqH7lUPj2/s320/osteen_final_rect.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember vividly the awkward moment that I got to meet
Joel Osteen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello, Joel. Umm,
Mr. Osteen.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long awkward pause as my hands fiddle in my pockets and I look
into Joel’s piercing blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His teeth are brilliantly white behind that obnoxious smile
of his. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Joel stands there saying nothing, just smiling, of
course, I am trying desperately to figure out what I should say next. My wife standing next to me is no help.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just moments earlier we were standing in a long line of
people staring at a blank wall like we were lined up to face a firing squad. Why had I chosen to put myself into such a
weird situation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had being driving with our friends for the last two days
from Iowa on our way to Texas to depart for a 7 day cruise. We had decided to stop along the way at Joel
Osteen’s church. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided to go along for this adventure as a curious
skeptic, not a fan or follower of Joel’s.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had read one of Joel’s books and had mixed reactions to
it. On the one hand, I had enjoyed his
positive “reach for the sky, with God’s help you can do anything” approach to
life. On the other hand, I was skeptical
about the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had seen Joel on TV a few times but wasn’t a huge fan of
his style. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had heard a lot of the criticism towards Joel’s ministry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He doesn’t preach the gospel.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He doesn’t preach against sin.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He is greedy and just in it for the money.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“He is a false prophet and only wants to draw a crowd.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I was interested to experience his church first hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we walked from the parking garage to the massive arena,
we were constantly greeted by helpful friendly faces. When we walked into the arena on a Saturday
night it was about 30% full. An usher
greeted us and asked us if it was our first time there. We explained that we were visiting from Iowa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The usher said, “Let’s get you a better seat.” He then ushered us down to sit on the front
row!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I happen to sit next to someone who had been attending the church for
several years. He said he preferred the
non-televised Saturday night service, because Joel was a little more relaxed
and off script. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He then said something that shocked me, “Did you know that
Joel doesn’t receive a salary from the church? His income is from his book
sales.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So much for the “Joel is greedy and just in it for the money”
accusation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then the craziest thing happened! After the worship and as communion was being
served I heard Joel give a clear presentation of the Gospel!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So much for the “He doesn’t preach the gospel” accusation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After we left the service, I had come to the conclusion that
maybe I was wrong about Joel’s ministry.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My purpose in writing this blog is not to sell you on Joel
Osteen. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">My purpose is to suggest the thought that maybe we as
Christian’s are too quick to judge the character of someone that we don’t even
know! </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know that Jesus said “Beware of False Prophets.” But I’m not
sure this means call them out on Facebook. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing could be easier and takes less courage than to take
to social media and type away judgmental accusations against everyone we
disagree with. WE CAN EVEN TYPE IN ALL
CAPS. We can back it up with scripture references, add angry emoji’s and feel
very smug and self-righteous! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what good has this accomplished for the kingdom of God? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not saying that we blindly and mindlessly follow any
teaching that becomes popular. Followers
of Christ have the responsibility to use the brilliant minds God has given them
to verify that what they are listening to lines up with what God has already
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Jesus dealt quite harshly with the self-appointed
doctrine police and fruit inspectors of his day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus also said “You will know them by their fruit.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Unless I have relationship with you, it is extremely difficult
for me to be qualified to speak about your spiritual fruit or lack thereof.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The longer I am in the ministry, the more reluctant I am to criticize another minister. I understand how difficult it is and how easy it is for people at a distance to misunderstand what you are trying to accomplish. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: red;">Notice that Grace comes first! </span></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-46914489302928572822016-09-20T15:44:00.000-07:002016-09-20T19:24:50.987-07:00Is Mother Teresa in Hell?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhwgWs-zEIIWlMSAwjXPKVoWp5c2XFk8hH2HrgTkYAWOV-tGXZsyGFBZKpkRMkDss5vRer6sA6n4WH3vgjaLbEufNHnmMVlMzH_-Rizj5xrkyO_5Y1P0Fhii0EtizK9UHTngI1G_ejnNw/s1600/mother-teresa-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhwgWs-zEIIWlMSAwjXPKVoWp5c2XFk8hH2HrgTkYAWOV-tGXZsyGFBZKpkRMkDss5vRer6sA6n4WH3vgjaLbEufNHnmMVlMzH_-Rizj5xrkyO_5Y1P0Fhii0EtizK9UHTngI1G_ejnNw/s320/mother-teresa-16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently, wild
mindlessly skimming through my Facebook News Feed I came across a link one of my “Friends”
had shared entitled “Roman Catholics: Canonizing the Damned” attached to a
picture of Mother Teresa. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously, this
got my attention. The writer begins by
stating that Mother Teresa was “the damned follower of an apostate religion!” I then began to read about all the things Mother
Teresa did wrong. But according to this
article her biggest problem was theological.
The writer then proceeds to lay out all of her false beliefs and
contends that because of her false beliefs she was damned to hell!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several years
ago as I was starting out in ministry, I was given the difficult task of
performing a funeral for someone whom I didn’t know while they were alive. Almost every funeral I had every attended the
minister spoke with confidence that the person whose life they were celebrating
was in heaven. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of my
lack of knowledge of the deceased person’s faith or lack of faith, I wasn’t sure
how to approach the funeral service and so I asked my Pastor for advice. I will never forget what he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Don’t preach them into Heaven or Hell!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“They are where they are, and nothing you can say or do will
change that fact.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Leave that up to God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It some of the best advice I have ever heard. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t fully
understand anyone (such as the above mentioned writer) who will emphatically
state that another human being is in hell!
God is the Judge of the world and I feel completely inadequate to sit in
that chair. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also intrigued
me that the writer of this article (Who writes for a website who seems to think
almost every human being is going to hell!) was so against doing good things to
earn a place to heaven. Even though I
agree with the writer on this issue, it seems like they were proposing that our theology must be perfect to earn a place in heaven! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whether we think its good works or perfect theology will get
you God’s approval, we are dead wrong. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God says there is only one way for a human being to be in
right relationship with him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If you declare with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord” and believe
in your heart God raised him from the dead you will be saved.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This kind of faith is all about Jesus and what he did for
me. What he is asking of me is that I trust
him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am relieved to know that God hasn’t called me to be the
world’s judge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know I would be quite stingy with Grace and Mercy towards
everyone else, except towards myself of course!<o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-46962876136765610422016-09-13T22:37:00.001-07:002016-09-14T10:34:26.532-07:00The Complicated Gospel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img alt="Image result for pulling out hair" src="https://www.sellcell.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/hair-pulling.jpg" /></div>
<br />
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
</div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I g</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">rew up in Sunday </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">School</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, and whenever the teacher asked a question it seemed like the answer was always from a short list. . . Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, Pray, Read Your Bible, and Witness. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">As I grew older, it seemed like life got a lot more complicated and so did the church’s instruction on matters of Faith. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">It didn’t matter what the issue was, God’s advice in Scripture was simple.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><u>MARRIAGE</u></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“Husbands love your wives. Wives respect your husbands.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><u>MONEY</u></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“The Love of Money is the root of all evil.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><u>RELATIONSHIPS</u> </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><u>LEADERSHIP</u></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“If you want to become great, become a servant of all.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><u>MINISTRY</u></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“Go and make disciples of all people.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Yet Christians have written countless books on all of these subjects!</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> When preachers preach on these subjects we get a list of 17 action items!</span><br />
<span class="s2" style="color: red; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="color: red; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><b>How can we take something so simple and make it so complicated?</b> </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">It is th</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">is</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> last subject of the ministry in which I have found the greatest frustration within the church.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I graduated from high school and said yes to God’s call to go into the ministry. So naturally I set off for Bible College. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I thought the ministry was simple! </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“Preach the Word!” “Love God, Love People” “Make Disciples!”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">HAHAHA. What a fool I was!</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Once again I discovered that Christians had filled libraries with books on how to correctly go about doing the work of the ministry! I had entered college confident that with God’s help I could do what he had called me to do. I left scared that I wasn’t prepared for the ministry!</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">That was only the beginning. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Once I actually got into the ministry, I discovered that it was even more complicated than I had been taught in college. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">There were so many expectations put on the performance of pastors. I heard horror stories of small churches where the pastor and his wife worked tirelessly to do everything while the people in the congregation sat back, did nothing to help and responded with complaints that their needs weren’t being met. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I read books from the so called “experts” in large churches who laid out their complex systems with charts and graphs on how to disciple people. </span><br />
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">I became so overwhelmed that I cannot tell you the number of times of I have wanted to quit the ministry because I </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">have </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.6px;">thought I wasn’t qualified as a leader.</span></span><br />
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I was told that church services had to be polished, seeker-friendly, organized, micro-managed and planned down to the minute. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<b style="line-height: 21.6px;"><span style="color: red;">How have we made something so simple become so complex?</span></b></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When I read the gospel accounts about Jesus</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">’</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> ministry, it still seem</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">s</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> so simple. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">He </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">lived life with people, loved them and showed them truth.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When I read the accounts of the early church it still seems so SIMPLE!</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">They devoted themselves to doing life together, praying together, eating together, and listening to the apostles teaching. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: red;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">How ha</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ve</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> we made something so simple become so complex?</span></span></b></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">We see complexity trying to creep into the church very early on. In Acts, the apostles start to get roped into a conflict about serving food to the poor. They realize what is taking place and designate other people to take care of the problem so they can “devote themselves to the teaching of the word and to prayer.”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I wish I could tell you that we have been faithful to the apostles example and that 2,000 years later the job description of a pastor is to </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">“devote themselves to the teaching of the word and to prayer.” But that is far from the truth!</span><br />
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<b><span style="color: red;"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">How ha</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">ve</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"> we made something so simple become so complex?</span></span></b></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Why do we as believers rush to purchase the latest Christian book on life issues instead of studying and applying the simple truths of scripture?</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I believe this happens for a couple of reasons. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">For some reason, human beings love making simple things complex. I don’t think we have evil intentions, but I don’t think that we are aware of what we are doing either.</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">If by God’s grace we just simply followed the simple teachings of Scripture, God would get all of the credit, and that doesn’t sell books. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">But if to truly get breakthrough in an area of our lives requires following some experts complicated advice, then we as human beings get the credit. </span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">A verse that constantly rings in my ears is this from psalms “Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain!”</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Let us as believers and as the church leave this complicated gospel that rests all upon our efforts to figure everything out and return to the simple GOOD NEWS!</span></div>
<div class="s2" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><br /></span>
<span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><b>Jesus calls to us simply, “COME FOLLOW ME!” </b> </span></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-14696535669230581572016-08-21T17:26:00.000-07:002016-08-21T17:46:46.110-07:00What do you do when your dreams get crushed?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/usp_olympics-_track_and_field-evening_session1.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="irc_mi ip0IlzJgyan0-pQOPx8XEepE" height="240" src="https://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/usp_olympics-_track_and_field-evening_session1.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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“His Olympics are over!”
This is the phrase I heard the announcer shout as I watched yet another
athlete crash to the track after tripping over a hurdle. My stomach is in knots for this complete
stranger. The dream he has worked
towards for a lifetime has just been crushed in the dust. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This experience of watching someone’s dreams get crushed
while seeing other’s dreams come true has been a recurring theme over the past
two weeks of my marathon Olympic TV binge!
It has left me pondering the question, “What do you do when your dreams
are crushed?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just recently connected with a couple of old friends and
after ordering our steaks and some small talk, we found ourselves deep in
intimate conversation. I know that the
words <i>intimate conversation</i> sound scary
and unusual for men, but somehow it happened!
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Are stories were all strangely similar. Crushed Dreams! Even though we were all in unique life
circumstances, we expressed familiar emotions: Bitterness, Confusion,
Disappointment, Impatience and Frustration.
Another thing we had in common was that we found ourselves mad at
God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We thought that we were pursuing dreams that He had put in
our hearts, why had He seemingly let us down?
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you do when your dreams are crushed?” When this happens, I think the biggest
temptation is to stop dreaming. But the
danger is that I believe when we stop dreaming we start dying! Maybe when one dream is crushed, it’s simply
time to find a new dream. I know that
sounds easier said then done!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We talked about the biblical stories of David and Joseph who
had experienced dreams getting crushed on a much more dramatic level than what
we were experiencing. Their stories
helped us somewhat but seemed distant and unconnected from our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think what was the most therapeutic for all of us was to
sit at a table and share our stories over a “Mountain O’ Nachos.” What better way to deal with disappointment
than Food, Faith, and Family?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A scripture that has deeply encouraged me but at moments
frustrated me is “He who trusts in Jesus will never be disappointed.” (Romans
10:11 NASB) These words sound good until
we feel the bitterness of disappointment. “Wait, what is happening?” “How could this happen?” “I thought I was doing the right thing.” “I thought I was doing what God wanted.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all depends on our definition of disappointment. If disappointment is when circumstances don’t
work out the way we had hoped and dreamed, then we will continually experience
this whether we are a Christian or not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In Romans 10:11 Paul is quoting Isaiah 28:16 which states </div>
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“The
one who maintains his faith will not panic.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">I believe that faith in God will keep us in the purposes of
God. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I wish that being in the purposes of God always meant smooth
sailing, but sadly it doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God shows us how to deal with disappointment. Don’t Panic. Hold tightly to Faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If all else fails share your stories of disappointment with
close friends over a Mountain O’ Nachos! <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-66954434513502847662015-10-27T09:27:00.002-07:002015-10-27T09:27:35.120-07:00Did Jesus Fart?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/cf/89/a3/cf89a34bdda9bd74e05838e0c2fb0d50.jpg" /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I was driving my kids to school this morning, when my three
children got on to the subject of farting.
My youngest daughter then asked me, “Did Jesus fart?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
These are the deep theological discussions
you have with pre-teen children! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
I
responded, “Yes, honey Jesus farted.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She says, “But I thought Jesus was
perfect?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I then made a statement that I think a lot of Christians don’t
understand: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b><u>“Jesus was sinless, not perfect!”</u></b></span> </div>
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<br />
How do I back up this statement? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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“For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing
with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are,
yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>This one verse gives us an accurate snapshot of who Jesus
is. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>100% human and 100% divine.</b> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it is so easy for us to diminish one of these two
aspects. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the one hand we diminish his humanity. If just the title to this blog offended you
then you probably diminish his humanity.
This view is reflected in the songs we sing. Such as this popular Christmas Carol “Away in
a Manger.” The cattle are lowing, The
baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, No crying he makes! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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What? Jesus took on all of our weaknesses, even crying! As I heard a preacher once say, “Jesus was
like all babies, demand at one end and a problem at the other! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Can you wrap your brain around that one? The Creator of the universe takes on our
weakness to the point that he must have someone else change his dirty
diapers! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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That is the beauty of the Incarnation “God with us!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The flip side of this coin is to deny Jesus divinity. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“Come on, there is no way Jesus lived for 33 years and never
once sinned!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>Statistics tell us that 1 out of 3 Christians believe that
Jesus sinned. </b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The huge problem with believing that Jesus sinned is that
his death was for his own sins and not yours and mine. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It seems difficult to believe in someone who was 100% human
and 100% divine. <br />
The math just doesn’t
make sense! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But a savior who took on 100% of our weaknesses and yet was
100% sinless is exactly what we need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is also what the gospel writers portray for us. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John says: “We proclaim to you the One who existed from the beginning. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him
with our own hands.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very early in Christianity people began to teach false ideas
diminishing either Jesus’ humanity or divinity.
John wrote this letter to bring people back to the truth. He says, “I was there. I experienced his
humanity and his divinity. Don’t deny
either aspect!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Why does this matter to you and I in 2015?</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Because no matter how deep of a pit of weakness you find
yourself in, </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Jesus is there wrapping his arms around your weaknesses! </span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
He took on ALL of our humanity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The beauty is that because he is God, he can also pull you
out of that pit! <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-9513971296965657802015-09-16T09:39:00.001-07:002015-09-16T09:41:19.286-07:00I'm Falling Apart!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img src="http://www.ipoxstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PuzzleFace2.jpg" height="248" width="400" /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Last night I was reading a bed time story to my daughter
about a village of puzzle people </span><span style="text-align: left;">called the Fuddles. </span><span style="text-align: left;">“Whenever a stranger comes near them they
have a habit of falling apart and scattering themselves around.”</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Have you ever felt like this, that whenever
life gets difficult you fall to pieces?</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
When I was in college I was definitely a Fuddle. On the outside, I seemed like I had it all
together. I got straight A’s. I studied all the time. I didn’t skip class. I even kept my dorm room clean! </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But on the inside, I was plagued by the fear of
failure. About every other day, I would
get completely overwhelmed with the pressure of school work and would privately
fall apart. I was dating my wife-to-be
at the time and she counseled me through many of these “falling apart”
times. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now back to our fairy tale, once they fell apart the Fuddles
were helpless and completely dependent on other people to put them back
together again. God uses other people to
help put us back together again, but their help can only take us so far. For the ultimate restoration we have to allow
our Creator to put us back together again.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listen to how the Apostle Paul describes the process in a
letter to one of his students in Titus 3: “It wasn’t so long ago that we
ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by
our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating
back. But when God, our kind and loving
Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with
it. He gave us a good bath, and we came
out of it new people, washed inside an out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so
generously. God’s gift has restored our
relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of
life! You can count on this.” (The Message) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have never experienced what was just described in
this passage, I implore you to have a conversation with God immediately about
allowing him to put your life back together again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe you once experienced this new life, but have since
walked away from relationship with God.
Maybe you are like I was in college.
The stress of life constantly makes you fall apart. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have come a long way in my relationship with God since
then. I am able to trust Him more than I
ever have before. With that trust comes
a peace and confidence that holds me together in stressful times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You don’t have to live life like a Fuddle, consumed with a
habit of falling apart. God can and will
restore your broken pieces if you surrender to him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Foot Note: The story I am referring to is called “The
Emerald City of Oz.” It is written by
Frank Baum (the writer of The Wizard of Oz.)
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-20199788184754226362015-09-11T08:06:00.000-07:002015-09-11T08:06:10.492-07:00Being a Parent Is Such a Pain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="240" src="http://assets.babycenter.com/ims/2012/10/iStock_000001279386Medium_4x3.jpg?width=520" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought I was watching my wife die! I had
never seen any human being in such pain!
It had gone on for hours, but then we heard the words that somehow made
the pain seem worth it, “It’s a boy!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was over 13 years ago, and for some crazy reason we
decided to endure that same pain again and again by having two more
children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish I could tell you that after leaving the hospital that
the pain goes away, but it doesn’t. The
pain just changes to sleepless nights, diaper changes, and late-night
feedings. When they can walk, the pain
changes to constantly chasing a toddler around.
You have to make sure they don’t stick something in an electrical
socket, run into sharp furniture or drink out of the toilet!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When they start school the pain changes to HOMEWORK! I really believe that parents are the most
tragic victim of this teacher inflicted torture device! My third grade daughter is crying because she
doesn’t understand how to do her math.
I, her 39 year old father, am also crying because I can’t figure out how
to do basic addition and subtraction is this new-fangled 23 step method known
as “Common Core!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without a doubt, the most painful part of any day, is
getting them ready for school! I feel
like getting three kids ready for school as about as easy as achieving a peace
agreement in the Middle East! Parents deserve
a Medal of Honor each day that they succeed in this arduous task! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I shared at the beginning, there was something miraculous
about holding each one of our newborn babies.
The pain didn’t matter anymore!
Every time my wife held one of our babies she would always say, “Can’t
we have just one more?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I would come home from work and my son would run
into my arms screaming “Daddy’s home,” the pain of raising toddlers didn’t matter
anymore. Whenever one of my daughters would look up at me with those gorgeous
brown eyes and say “I love you Daddy,” the pain didn’t matter anymore! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember being a teenager and having arguments with my dad. He would often make the statement “Son, when
you have kids of your own, you will understand.” As a teenager I thought that was such a dumb
statement, but he was totally right. I now understand what a struggle it is to be a parent! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>I encourage every parent reading this that THE PAIN IS WORTH
IT!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Your children are worth every sacrifice that you have ever
made or will make for them! </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 127:3 says “Children are a gift from the LORD; they
are a reward from him.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes in the midst of the pain it is easy to
forget this! </span></span></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-89187703946536154522015-09-09T11:02:00.000-07:002015-09-09T11:02:43.941-07:00I am a Hypocrite!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="241" src="http://m.snopes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/kim-davis-married-four-times-meme.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my house I constantly hear one child say to the other,
“Who are you to tell me that I shouldn’t do this, when you do that same thing
all the time?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hear the same childish rhetoric regarding Kentucky clerk Kim
Davis for not issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. “She obviously doesn’t care about marriage
since she has been married four times!”
“She should just shut her mouth and quit her job!” Didn’t Jesus say “He who is without sin, cast
the first stone?” Didn’t he also say
“Take the log out of your own eye before removing the speck out of someone
else’s eye?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How many times Kim Davis has been married is irrelevant to
whether or not she should be forced to endorse same-sex marriages. Ironically, her divorces happened before she
became a Christian which make the “hypocrite” attack irrelevant as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">The deeper issue is “Where does moral
authority come from?”</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
How do we ever have the moral authority to say anything is
wrong, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
if we have to be sinless first? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I
have lied before. Does that make me a
hypocrite for saying that lying is wrong? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I have stolen before. Does that
disqualify me from saying that stealing is wrong?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Christians are giving into moral relativism if we think that our own </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
spotless moral performance is what qualifies us to communicate moral standards! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Moral standards exist
independently of anyone's failure or ability to meet them.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If sinless perfection is the standard to be able to declare
a behavior right or wrong than Jesus is the only human being who has ever lived
who is able to speak authoritatively. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I think we just discovered the answer to our question. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Moral authority comes from God’s perfect
moral character. </span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Morality must be based
upon something independent of humanity </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
or it is just my opinion against
yours. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately, that is what our society has been reduced
to. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">We think that one opinion about
morality is just as valid as any other. </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What did Jesus mean when he said, “He who is without sin,
cast the first stone?” You may be familiar
with the story. Religious leaders catch
a woman in adultery and ask Jesus if she should be stoned. There is no debate here about whether
adultery is right or wrong, but what her punishment should be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Jesus said “Take the log out of your own eye, before
removing the speck out of your brother’s eye” he was talking about being
judgmental of other believers. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have no idea what Kim Davis’ motivation is for refusing to
issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.
The religious right thinks she is a hero and the liberal left think that
she is the devil. I don’t think that she
is either. I think that she simply
didn’t want her name on marriage licenses issued to same sex couples, and had
the courage to stand up for what she knew was right. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">So if moral authority really does come from God, </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">my moral opinion or even my failure to uphold His moral laws doesn’t change anything!</span></b> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are
quickly becoming a society where we want to make up our own morality. We are sick of Christians reminding us of
pesky things like God’s moral law. We
wish they would just shut up and stop “imposing their beliefs on everyone
else.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is that if we are to really take the words of
Jesus seriously, he also stated that God intended marriage to be between a man
and a woman. But I guess he was a
“hypocrite” for saying so since he never got married! <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-15767239668454539282015-09-06T09:44:00.000-07:002015-09-06T09:44:13.602-07:00God Damn Pornography!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img height="236" src="http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/12/590x/BEAUTY-BROWS-446018.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could take you back to the place where I was standing,
when at 13 years old I saw my first pornographic image. It was a playboy calendar my brother and I
innocently found in a stack of discarded magazines. In that moment, I felt like there was no
turning back!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My best “friend” at the time was also with us and we came up
with a scheme on how we could get ourselves into a more private situation to
peruse this calendar. We then went to
his house and gawked lustfully at each page for hours on end. It was at this point that I began to feel
extreme guilt over our newly acquired “treasure!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I shared with my friend my sudden reservations about
continuing to lust over these pages. I
just knew down deep inside that what we were doing was very wrong! He blew off my conscience-stricken
objections, and we went right back to what we were doing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After I left his house, I vowed that I would never do that
again! I asked God for forgiveness and
the strength to resist temptation in the future. Months later my opportunity came when I
returned to this friend’s house and he wanted to pull out the calendar and pick
up where we left off. I felt this
courage rise up within me and I resolutely stated “I don’t do that
anymore!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really felt like I was
free! I wish that I could say that was
the end of my story, but it was only the beginning of a lifelong battle of
temptation. I have gone through a lot of
ups and downs. I am proud of the times
when I have said “no” to temptation and ashamed of every time I have given in! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I share this part of my story with you because I recently
interacted with a young man who is struggling with the addiction of
pornography. He wants so desperately to
be free, but feels like God could never forgive him for what he has done! This young man’s story represents numerous
young men that I have had the opportunity of counseling over the years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Pornography is the
dirty secret that very few people in the church want to talk about!</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It isn’t something that good clean Christians are supposed
to struggle with! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But we must talk about
it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Statistics tell us that porn is becoming more and more prevalent! Nearly Two-Thirds of Christian men view pornography monthly! The average age of first exposure to pornography is 8 years old!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">TWO REASONS THAT PORNOGRAPHY IS MORE PREVALENT THAN EVER
BEFORE:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u><b>Accessibility</b></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Because of smart phones, you no longer have
to sneak down to a sleazy adult magazine store to purchase pornography. It is right in the palm of your hand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Anonymity
</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
You no longer have to be concerned about your
parents, or spouse finding your stash of magazines. The images on your electronic devices are
gone at the click of a button.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><b>I beg parents to have
critical conversations with your kids about pornography!</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do not assume that your kid doesn’t struggle
with this issue! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I encourage father’s to go through the book “Preparing Your Son For Every Man’s Battle” with your son’s.
This is a phenomenal resource to empower you to have difficult
conversations with your kids. Give them
permission to talk to you about this difficult subject.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I made my son a promise that if he ever struggled with
pornography and shared that with me that I would not get angry with him and
that he would not be in trouble. I have
shared with him my own struggles as a teenager and have told him that I would
do whatever it takes to help him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The longer I have engaged in this battle with pornography
the more freedom God has brought into my life!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;">TWO KEYS TO FREEDOM FROM THE ADDICTION OF
PORNOGRAPHY</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u><b>Authenticity</b></u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Being
honest with yourself and God is the first step to freedom! </u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
One night many years ago, after I had
looked at pornography I was talking to God.
I felt horrible and I was sick of the cycle I was going through. I had this incredible revelation:
“Pornography is not what I really want!”
In the moment, I think it is what I want, but it isn’t. This has been critical to bringing freedom in
my life. Whenever I am tempted, I say to
myself over and over again, “This is NOT what I really want!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
I also have to admit when I am the most
vulnerable to temptation. I am weakest
when I am tired, lonely, or feel far from God.
It is in these moments that I have to be more proactive at key #2 <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Accountability</u></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>We
win life’s battles together!</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
It was crucial for me that my wife knew
about my struggle with pornography even before we got married. Confessing that to her was one of the hardest
things I have ever done, but I knew it was critical to the success of our
marriage. If you struggle with pornography, don't struggle alone! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
I have also pursued strategic relationships
with other men that hold me accountable.
I have given them permission to ask me hard questions about maintaining
sexual purity in my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Pornography is a
cheap counterfeit to fulfill our desire for intimacy!</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we as human beings really long for is intimacy with
another person. When we struggle with
finding this intimacy we try to fulfill that desire with images on a
screen. These images never satisfy
us! We always need more! Lust is never satisfied! It isn’t what we really want!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By God’s Grace, today I am able to say without hesitation
that </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“I AM FREE FROM PORNOGRAPHY!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It
has been a long journey and staying free is just as much as a battle as getting
free. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you struggle with pornography, I want you to know that
you are not alone. Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No
temptation has come upon you except that which is common to man. And God is faithful he will provide you with
a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The title to this blog isn’t sarcastic. Because I have experienced the damage that
pornography brings, I truly want God to damn pornography in my life. I want that for your life as well! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: red;">Here are a list of resources to help you: </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 16.8667px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Your-Every-Mans-Battle-ebook/dp/B004BLK7PW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441556506&sr=8-1&keywords=fred+stoeker+preparing" target="_blank">Preparing Your Son For Every Mans Battle</a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Young-Mans-Battle-Strategies/dp/0307457990/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1441556580&sr=8-2&keywords=fred+stoeker+every+young&pebp=1441556585304&perid=16DDT1P6FY5KB3WBB9HX" target="_blank">Every Young Mans Battle</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Mans-Battle-Winning-Temptation/dp/1578563682/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441556655&sr=8-1&keywords=fred+stoeker+every+man&pebp=1441556659521&perid=0ZTW9J88H91YKZ98TBSK" target="_blank">Every Mans Battle </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><a href="http://www.xxxchurch.com/" target="_blank">www.xxxchurch.com</a></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-23253721327572136922015-09-04T09:30:00.001-07:002015-09-04T16:38:34.838-07:00Marriage Is Suicide!<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://musickfamily.net/jill/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Wedding-Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://musickfamily.net/jill/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Wedding-Hands.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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I stood there at the altar dressed in my all white tuxedo
with tails. Next to the woman of my
dreams, I said things like “For Better or Worse,” “For Richer or Poorer,” “Till
Death do us Part!” I thought I knew what
I was getting into, but I didn’t realize that it would result in my death! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Don’t get me wrong I did marry an amazing woman. Each day she wakes up before dawn and serves
her family in incredible ways. She
cooks, cleans, gets kids ready for school, and on top of an endless list of
duties she somehow can work a full-time job as well. I clearly got the better end of this deal!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For most of the day, I am tempted to think that she doesn’t
even need me. She could do this without
me. Well that is until the end of the
day. Around 9 o’clock, my incredibly
amazing, almost super-human wife begins to run out of gas! This is the point where she clearly needs me!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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She begins to fire requests at me in rapid succession. “Could you please put the kids to bed?” “Could you massage my shoulders?” “Could you get me something to eat?” This continues until she falls asleep. I wish I could tell you that I always respond
with a smile on my face and eager servitude, but I don’t. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I often grumble and complain, because I am only thinking
about myself. I want to read my
book! I want to go to sleep! I have to
get up early! Blah, Blah, Blah! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night I actually refrained from this selfishness, bit
my tongue and served my wife. At each
request I thought to myself, “It’s time to die!” “It’s time to die to what I want and think of
someone else!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realize that this may seem a bit dramatic, but it is how
my brain works. I thought of the words
of Jesus “Anyone who wants to follow me must deny yourself, take up your cross
and follow me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Unfortunately, I think that this teaching of Jesus has
gotten lost in the modern church's obsession with God’s blessings. God definitely wants to bless you, but often
his greatest blessings come when we die!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>When we die to selfishness, when we die to old patterns of
living, that is when we truly begin to live!</u></b>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day before I got married my Dad gave me the greatest
advice. He said that most people view
marriage as 50/50. I give 50%. You give 50% and we meet in the middle at
100%. My dad said that God’s idea of
marriage is 100/100. I give 100% of
myself to you and you give 100% of yourself to me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is where the rest of Jesus' statement comes in. He gives us this paradox, "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have realized that Marriage is Suicide! To really have a great marriage I have to
die! I have to die to my own
selfishness, but whenever I do I am resurrected to a new life that only God can
give! <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-50264151681168180752015-08-31T13:24:00.000-07:002015-08-31T13:24:01.237-07:00Do You Mind If I Stomp On The American Flag?”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4nkQPxM5WvmDwcFJXHEDtVs4tZh7v3X1iv0a5HqcA7ZW5bS6E1A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4nkQPxM5WvmDwcFJXHEDtVs4tZh7v3X1iv0a5HqcA7ZW5bS6E1A" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems that for years now the most controversial act of “Free
speech” has been to desecrate the American flag by burning it or walking on
it. The most recent trend is to take
your picture standing on it and spread it on social media. Unfortunately, I believe that I am guilty of
something much worse! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I understand why people get so angry, even violent when they
see pictures of someone desecrating the American Flag. My Grandfather was a medic in WWII, and saw first-hand
the cost of the freedom that flag represents.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I say that I am guilty of something much worse, I am
not referring to the American Flag, but to something that is even more precious
to me than my Country. I am talking
about my God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I write about or preach about the amazing grace God
has for us I will inevitably get a comment from someone to affect that “We don’t
want to slip into Hyper, Cheap, Easy, or Greasy Grace!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I trust that their statements are made out of concern that
people are going to use the Grace of God as an excuse to sin. I understand this concern and it isn’t
anything new. Paul had to address this
problem 2,000 years ago when he wrote, “Shall we continue to sin so that Grace
may abound? God Forbid!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that said, I think that we cheapen the grace of God whenever
we leave any hint in people’s minds that they have to in any way earn, deserve,
or maintain the grace of God. Biblical
grace is defined as “Unmerited Favor.”
Unmerited means it ISN’T deserved.
It is a GIFT. If we do anything
to earn something it is no longer a gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s talk about the term “Cheap Grace.” Grace is way better than Cheap! It is totally
and completely FREE! It costs us
nothing! All we have do to is receive it
by Faith. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the flip side of that coin, Grace definitely isn’t CHEAP,
because it cost Jesus EVERYTHING! He died
an excruciating death to pay the debt that we owed for our sin! <o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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<b>Grace is not an idea or a theological concept! Grace is a Person! Jesus Christ!</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paul tells us in Hebrews Chapter 10 that when we use God’s grace
as an excuse to sin we “have trampled on the Son of God!” I strive to avoid sin, not to earn or deserve
God’s love, mercy and grace, but because I love Jesus. I love Jesus because I am continuously
overwhelmed by his love! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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God doesn’t want a Debt/Debtor
relationship with us but a committed, passionate love affair with us! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have the freedom to trample of the flag of the great
country I live in, but I never would because I know the cost that flag
represents. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"> I also have the freedom to trample on the grace
of God by blatantly disregarding how he desires for me to live.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">I have definitely been guilty of that in the
past, but as I grow in my understanding of what Grace cost Jesus, I now long
to honor that sacrifice!</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-21860117913071540542015-08-29T10:33:00.000-07:002015-08-29T10:33:35.051-07:00A Big Ol Pile of “Should!”<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t go to church as much as I SHOULD! I don’t pray as much as I SHOULD! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever caught yourself saying or
thinking this? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My question is, Do we
ever arrive at this magical land of “SHOULD?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was listening to Christian radio recently and heard a song
called, “these hands are tired.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
writer said that he was writing the song about how he struggles with not
reading the Bible as much as he SHOULD! I think that this song is popular because most Christians
can relate to this feeling. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We go to
church like we SHOULD and preachers get out their shovels and load us down with
a whole lot of SHOULD!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t give like we SHOULD!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t volunteer like we SHOULD!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We don’t love as much as we SHOULD!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately the preacher isn’t the only one. It seems like everyone else in the church somehow
can add up to the SHOULD list. When you
talk to them they SHOULD all over you as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We leave the church which God created to be a place of
encouragement, more loaded down with guilt, shame, and remorse than which we
came in. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But can anyone please describe to me what this magical land
of SHOULD really looks like? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much SHOULD we pray? Once a week, every day, 3 hours
every day?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much SHOULD we read our Bible? Every day, 3 chapters
every day, Proverbs once a month?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How much SHOULD we give? Pocket change, $20, 10% of our
income?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>When we think that God is only interested in our
performance, we are never sure of our position with him.</b> </u> We never arrive at this magical place called
SHOULD! We always think that we aren’t adding
up and we SHOULD be doing more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listen to what Paul wrote to a group of believers in Ephesus:
“God saved you by his GRACE when you believed.
And you can’t take credit for this: it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things
we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sounds to me like Paul is saying that we didn’t BEGIN our
relationship with God by doing good things.
So why do we think that we KEEP it by doing good things?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God is unrestrained in his love for you and did everything
that had to be done so that we could have RELATIONSHIP with him. Jesus took our punishment for ALL of our sins. His motive was LOVE not DUTY! All God asks in return is for you to believe
(aka put your trust in him.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we trust God, we avoid sin, not because we know God
will be mad at us, but because we know that it will break his heart and destroy
our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We read his word because we want to know his heart, not
because we SHOULD.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pray because we want to talk to God, not because we
SHOULD.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Old Covenant was all about SHOULD. Jesus died to bring about an entire new paradigm,
which isn’t about performance but relationship! <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-57478502205256971562015-08-27T08:48:00.000-07:002015-08-27T08:48:25.449-07:00Was Jesus Stupid? <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">"Now that's just stupid!" My dad was reading my family a
Bible story about Jesus, when I shouted these words! As Christians we
are taught to have the utmost respect for the teachings of Jesus, but have you
ever read or heard something Jesus said or did and disagreed with it? I was
about 8 years old the first time this happened to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> My dad was reading us the
story about when Jesus cursed the fig tree.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you are not familiar with the story you can read it in Mark 11:12-25.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Jesus was hungry and he walked up to a fig
tree but there were no figs on the tree, because it wasn’t the season for
figs.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">He says “may no one ever eat your
fruit again!”</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The fig tree then withers
up and dies!</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> It was at this point in
the story that I shouted<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>"Now
that's just stupid!" This did not
receive a positive reaction from my parents.
“How dare you call Jesus, stupid?” My response didn’t really help
matters any, “Uh, I’m not calling him stupid, just what he did!” For some
reason, my 8 year old brain was more concerned with the poor fig tree than the
deeper lesson Jesus was trying to teach his disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> There have been many
times that I have had a negative reaction to the words of Jesus. My next instance was when I heard that he
said, “Love your enemies, and if they hit you on the cheek offer them the other
one!” “What, that's just stupid!" But years later as I watched the movie “The
Passion of the Christ,” I watched Jesus live this principle out on a level no
other human being ever has. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Another saying of Jesus,
which I have currently had to wrestle with is when he instructed us to “become
like little children” to get into the kingdom of heaven. I have always thought this meant we should
have “child-like” faith (aka, naïve.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I saw an example of “child-like”
faith last night. I asked my youth group
“Why do you believe that the Bible is true?”
I received mostly blank stares until a couple of kids spoke up, “Because
the Bible says it’s true!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> I quickly tried to show
them that their statement was circular reasoning. But
later I realized that this is exactly where my faith started. I trusted my parents and they said the Bible
was true, so I just believed them. In
fact that is where almost all of my information came from when I was
little. My parents said it, so it must
be true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Upon further
examination of what Jesus was trying to teach us in “becoming like little
children,” He goes on to say “Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child
is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> The reason why children
are teachable is their humility. They
realize they don’t know anything. On the
flip-side of this is the arrogant person who thinks they know everything, they
are the ones who are truly stupid! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> Child-like faith is a
great place to start but isn’t where God wants us to stay. Look at Ephesians
4:14 “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and
blown by every wind of new teaching. We
will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they
sound like the truth.” </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Foot Note: I also don't think that believing the Bible "because the Bible says its true," will </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">suffice. To read about evidence for the truth of the Bible click here: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://brad-singleton.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-embarrassing-gospel.html">The Embarrassing Gospel</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
or here:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://brad-singleton.blogspot.com/2015/08/does-it-really-matter-if-bible-is-true.html">Does It Really Matter If Bible Is True</a></span></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-21590320652585444832015-08-25T13:35:00.002-07:002015-08-25T13:35:32.881-07:00Does it really matter if the Bible is true or not? <div class="MsoNormal">
According to 2011 Gallup poll 3 out of 10 Americans believe
that the Bible is the literal word of God, while another 49% of Americans
believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God but shouldn’t be taken
literally, while another 17% consider the Bible to be an Ancient book of
stories recorded by man. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is fascinating to me!
How would you answer this question?
Is the Bible the literal word of God?
Is it the inspired word of God, but shouldn’t be taken literally? Or is
it an ancient book of stories recorded by man?
Your answer has massive implications! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>If the Bible is
the literal word of God. . . <o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Jesus
said “I have come to give you life in all its fullness.” His words provide both meaning and purpose
for life here and in eternity. His words
have the ability to change our thinking, actions, and ultimately our
destiny. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If the Bible is the inspired word of God
but shouldn’t be taken literally. . . <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I
think this is the most comfortable answer to give. You show respect for the Bible, but you don’t
have to take it “literally.” Which
basically means that you can make the Bible say whatever you want it to say,
and you can pick and choose which parts of it you actually want to apply to
your life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><b><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If the Bible is an ancient book of stories
recorded by man. . . <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="background-color: black;"> It is irrelevant. Frank Turek says “If no other God exists,
then my life is meaningless, as there is no design or purpose for
humanity. I am free to do whatever I
want. If another God exists, then I am
subject to His/Her teachings.” </span><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me ask you a very important question, “What evidence
would it take for you to believe that this collection of ancient writings that
we refer to as the Bible was the literal word of God?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if the Bible predicted future events many years before
they actually took place, would that convince you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if archaeological evidence was discovered that proved
that the “stories” recorded in the Bible were actual historical events, would
that convince you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if there was evidence that who recorded these “stories”
were actual eyewitnesses or relaying actual eyewitness accounts, would that
convince you?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What if these eyewitnesses were so convinced of what they saw,
that they died excruciating deaths rather than recant what they knew to be
true, would that convince you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The fact is that each of the premises in these questions are
indeed true. So are you now convinced?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, if you do believe that the Bible is the literal
word of God, what is keeping you from reading it and following its
teachings? <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do you say that you believe the Bible to be the literal word
of God but live like it is actually just a bunch of ancient fairy tales? <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-57125481483984731122015-08-20T13:54:00.000-07:002015-08-20T13:54:24.161-07:00Fuzzy Blue Robe! (Written by Dianne Singleton)<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> It
was a cold morning, late enough that my oldest brother David was at
school. The kitchen was bright and
mother was busy. She already closed the
dishwasher because I had tried to pull out the spoons and forks. I loved the feeling of their hot metal in my
hands my brother Jonny was sitting under the table and mom was trying to answer
the phone. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> The floor was cold and I
wanted to be with her. She is so busy
and worried. The house must be
cleaned. Looking up, I tried to reach
the curly cord of the telephone, but she was moving. I touched her soft blue robe. Finally, she was still. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> “Mom I’m here! When will you be done talking?
Jonny is here too.” Crawling under her robe we both hung onto her legs. I looked at him and he looked at me. We had won!
She would have to stop now and see us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> We were on the inside of the big fuzzy robe, and every time she tried to
move, our little bodies would slow her down.
“Uh huh, Uh huh, I see.” On she talked and on we held, secure under her
robe. Away from the mess, away from the
cold bedrooms, in our secret place. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> Sometimes as a grown woman I miss feeling the warm covering of the big
blue robe, and having someone much bigger and much wiser, that I could at any
time reach out with all my heart and hang on to. Why must faith be the evidence of things
unseen and yet hoped for? I know God loves me and yet sometimes I need new eyes
to see it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> As a grown up, walking out
the dreams I had as a child. Trying to
be a mother to my own children. Trying
to work at a job and minister to people.
Sometimes I wish there was some secret place I could go and cuddle close
to my father God. And get a glimpse of
who I am in His eyes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> What if “being” is
more important than I think? Looking back at this memory, I have a tinge
of guilt. Knowing I was an even busier
and distracted mother than my own. I
wonder what my little ones thought as I stopped what I was doing to look down
at their little bodies wrapped around my legs, and in frustration say “No more
this just won’t do.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> I haven’t been very good at just dwelling and just
being. I have been much more comfortable
with going and doing. But something deep
down inside seems to be calling out for a secret place. To get away or maybe to
just cease to move, stop, and look up. Catch
the breath the Lord has so gracefully given.</span>Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-12925882386660916502015-08-19T11:44:00.000-07:002015-08-19T11:44:53.812-07:003 Books Every Christian Needs to Read<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
I love to read. I
believe that my habit of reading regularly has been more impactful on my life
than anything else. Most of the books
that I choose to read are based upon other people’s recommendations. If you are a follower of Christ, (or even if
you aren’t) there are 3 books that I would recommend as essential reading. Disclaimer: I realize there are dozens of
books that could have made this list, and many that you think should be on this
list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The “Bible”</u></b>
by God through 40 different writers <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
I know this one sounds like a no-brainer! But statistics tell us that 61% of Christians
have read the entire Bible. That means
almost 4 out 10 have not. Essentially
these people are saying that they are committing their lives to something that
they haven’t taken the time to read for themselves. I implore you not to read the Bible out of
guilt and obligation but out of a deep desire to discover truth. There are so many resources out there to
assist you in getting started on a plan to read the Bible. I recommend the Bible App <a href="http://www.bible.com/app">www.bible.com/app</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
I have found this extremely helpful in
making reading God’s word a daily habit.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><u>“I Don’t
Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist”</u></b> by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Being someone who was raised in church
since I was a baby, I was taught what to believe but not necessarily why to
believe it. With the exception of “We
believe it because the Bible says it.”
This book gives page after page of convincing arguments and evidence for
the basics of the Theistic/Christian worldview.
I found it extremely informative and inspiring! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b><u>“How
To Win Friends And Influence People”</u></b> by Dale Carnegie <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
I know this one may sound a bit odd to make
the list. You may be thinking, “What does
this have to do with Christianity?” The
previous books will equip you to understand what you believe, why you believe
it, and how to articulate your faith.
But if we don’t have people skills no one will want to listen to
anything we have to say. This book is a
classic written in 1936. The principles
he writes about are timeless. This is
one of a handful of books that I have reread multiple times! <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I encourage you to make reading a part of your daily
routine. It has forever enriched my life
in more ways than I can count. I would recommend
starting with these three books. <o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-62282350655281731912015-08-18T13:02:00.001-07:002015-08-18T13:02:59.606-07:00Abortion: A "Right" or a "Wrong?"<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: white;"> <span style="background-color: black;"> I recently had a fascinating conversation with a young man
on Facebook regarding the topic of abortion.
Our conversation basically started out with me stating that life within
the womb was sacred, and he responded by stating that the developing fetus in the
womb was a “jumble of cells,” therefore giving the women the right to choose
abortion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"> I had to admit that if he is right and the developing fetus
was just a “jumble of cells” then the woman probably did have the right to
eliminate them from her body. I then
asked a clarifying question, “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">So in
your opinion when do these ‘jumble of cells’ become a human being?</span>” He responded with “A jumble of cells can
become a human if the person chooses to carry those cells to the point at which
they are an autonomous being and no longer a parasite.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"> I was intrigued and
by this statement, because I still wanted to know at what point a fetus goes
from being a “parasite” and becomes an "autonomous being." In my opinion this is a foundational question
to be answered in the abortion debate, “Is the developing fetus a human being?” And if the developing fetus is a human being
when does it become human? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"> To quote William
Lane Craig, “There is no nonarbitrary point in the process before which you can
say the fetus is not human but after which he or she is. The fact is that any human attempt to draw a
line and say ‘not human before this point, but human afterwards’ is wholly
arbitrary and without biological foundation.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"> Answering the
question of “Is the developing fetus a human being?” will lead us to the
underlying question of “Do human beings possess intrinsic moral value?” This second question is foundational to the
issue of abortion as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"> In another
discussion with the aforementioned young man regarding abortion, I asked “In
your opinion is abortion a good thing or a bad thing?</span>” He said, “Abortion is good because it
provides an option to people if they are in a situation where they cannot have,
afford to have, had no choice, do not want, and/or had not planned to have a
child.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"> I then asked </span>“<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">Would you like to see more or less abortions
performed in America?</span>” He said “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;">I, personally, would like to see less
performed.</span>” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: white; font-family: inherit;"> This is the point I think
that most of us would agree upon, “Less Abortions.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 115%;"> I finally ended our
discussion with this statement, “I am for less abortions because I am morally
opposed to it. I believe that unborn babies are human beings and deserve to be
given the chance at life. I don't want less</span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span data-reactid=".gt.1:5:1:$comment10152997297681304_10152997563416304:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".gt.1:5:1:$comment10152997297681304_10152997563416304:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$text0:0"> </span>abortions
because I hate women but actually because I care about them and I believe that
abortions have many negative consequences on the mothers. I'm not
talking about making abortion illegal but making it less common. I'm for sex
education but would like for abstinence to be discussed. I'm for adoption. I'm
for churches and non-profits helping young ladies who are pregnant and
wrestling with the decision of abortion with love and respect.</span>”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-53320680249266211902015-08-17T19:31:00.002-07:002015-08-17T21:13:41.053-07:00The Embarrassing Gospel! <div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiEdFnxYZllkyHs_PQhGQHassYA8uAyAMkDQd7Bd3L-E0a0TJfJzM5tuW3POcY2SkSPEi4IVWypKvvMJPDQqTqVwWRdc5QL4V2hmytMTomA5MNow0guJPFs6o7Trjlj7YzDMZi46i-73T/s1600/firetruck1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiEdFnxYZllkyHs_PQhGQHassYA8uAyAMkDQd7Bd3L-E0a0TJfJzM5tuW3POcY2SkSPEi4IVWypKvvMJPDQqTqVwWRdc5QL4V2hmytMTomA5MNow0guJPFs6o7Trjlj7YzDMZi46i-73T/s320/firetruck1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Have
you ever done something that was really, really embarrassing? I sure have. I once volunteered to be a part of a strength
exhibition at our church. I was going to
pull a 40,000 lb fire truck! Hundreds of
people were there to watch and when the fire truck showed up, it was actually
80,000 lbs and it had begun to rain.
That didn’t stop me from trying!
On my third attempt to pull the truck, I pulled so hard my harness
snapped! Needless to say, the firetruck
never moved and I was rather embarrassed.
If I had been making up this story, it definitely would have had a more
triumphant ending.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> There
were a group of men who have told a story and unfortunately they have been
accused of making it up. I am talking
about the Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth.
They shared their accounts of the life of Jesus in the four gospels of
the New Testament. Their accounts have
endured endless criticism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I submit one line of evidence among many for the reliability of their accounts: </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Their Embarrassing testimony.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> Have
you ever lied to make yourself look good?
Probably. Have you ever lied to make yourself look bad?
Probably not. This is why the
embarrassing details of the gospel writers is deemed to be reliable. If you are going to make up a story you are
more than likely going to make you and your friends out to be heroes, not
bumbling idiots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> There
are several categories of the embarrassing details, one of which is that the
disciples were cowards! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> When
Jesus is captured, all of the disciples run away in terror! Mark even includes in his account of a follower
who ran away naked! Many scholars believe that Mark is referring to himself as
the naked coward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> After
Jesus is captured, Peter denies that he even knows him, three different times. When he is confronted by soldiers? No, when
he is confronted by a middle school girl! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> After
Jesus is crucified, the women followers are the only ones brave enough to go
and discover the empty tomb! This embarrassing
detail is quit revealing considering the culture at that time. In a court of law, a woman’s testimony was
not on the same level as a man’s. Consider
this quote from the Jewish religious text “Sooner let the words of the Law be
burnt than delivered to women!” Women
obviously occupied a low rung on the Jewish social ladder. This is evidence that if the disciples where
making up a story, they wouldn’t make women the first to discover Jesus resurrection. But the women were the heroes of the story! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> I
want to highlight two lessons we can learn from these embarrassing details of
the Gospel accounts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u>The Gospel Accounts are
FACT not fiction!</u></b> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">If they said Jesus said it, he actually said it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">If they said Jesus did it, he actually did it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><u>God will use cowardly
imperfect people to change the world if they will only put their faith in him!</u></b> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-79321983304277085002013-07-13T12:01:00.001-07:002013-07-13T12:01:05.778-07:00Kill your TV! I am a proud father of three amazing kids and I love being a Dad! With that being said, being a father has also been one of the most demanding and frustrating experiences of my life! I get so frustrated with their immaturity and choices sometimes. Recently my nine year old daughter clogged a sink downstairs turned the water on and left! She said it was an accident when she flooded the basement. Fortunately, the overflowing sink was discovered before any real damage was done. But boy was that a frustrating mess to clean up!<br />
But probably the most frustration I face as a parent is with myself. I feel so inadequate as a parent and get extremely disappointed when I lose my temper or patience with my kids. I think my biggest disappointment is when I look back at all of the times when I got lazy or distracted and completely disengaged as a parent.<br />
My biggest temptation that causes disengagement is technology. I have such a love/hate relationship with technology. I have an iPhone 5 and an iPad 3. I have DirectTV and a flat panel TV. I am quite fond of these devices but yet get so frustrated at the disconnection that they can create with the living, breathing humans that fill my home and whom I love so much. <br />
Recently after watching TV with my kids for an entire summer evening when the weather outside was beautiful, I decided I had to do something drastic. I disconnected the TV and hid it! The next day everyone wanted to know what happened to the TV. I told them that the TV was on vacation. There was a lot of crying and frustrated, dramatic statements at full volume! Good grief you would have thought that I killed their puppy!<br />
The next day at a garage sale I found and old kiddy record player and several dozen records that I bought for for $2! I was pleasantly surprised at how much my kids fell in love with this thing. They thanked me several times for this new found treasure. But the statement that about gave me a heart attack was when my 9 year old daughter (the aforementioned daughter who flooded the basement) said "Thanks Dad for sending the TV on vacation!" Incredulously, I said "Why?" She said, "because when the TV is gone I spend a lot more time with my family." And then she said something that really nailed me to the wall. "Watching TV isn't really spending time with your family!" Out of the mouths of babes!<br />
I have no idea how long this "TV on vacation" thing will work with my family, but I challenge you to try it with your family. Needless to say I am pleasantly surprised with the results so far!<br />
God's word says in James that our lives are like a mist that quickly fades away. I continually wrestle with how to make the most of my life! Sometimes instead of blindly following our culture we need to take a moment and examine where this swiftly flowing river of culture is taking us to! <br />
Maybe we need to unplug for a moment now and then to be able to ask ourselves some hard questions! I know it is a struggle for me to do this but every time I do, I am so glad I did!<br />
<br />
<br />Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-62447576561946787872013-06-03T10:10:00.002-07:002013-06-03T10:10:41.568-07:00God's Love ISN'T Unconditional! One of the most common statements I hear preachers making is that "God's love is unconditional." I must admit, I have made that statement several times myself. Why would I make such a statement? Well, I heard a lot of other preachers make the statement and have read a lot of stuff in the Bible that seemed to back up that concept. But is God's love is really unconditional? <br />
I am grateful that we have come along way from every sermon being "fire and brimstone," "turn or burn," "get right or get left," kind of messages. Most preachers today (popular ones anyway) no longer preach with a "God is mad at you, but if you beg him for forgiveness he might let you into heaven" attitude. It appears that we are getting a more accurate picture of the Love, Grace and Mercy God has for us.<br />
With that said, I feel like we can go too far with statements like "God's love is unconditional." First lets define unconditional: "not limited by conditions." Here is where it gets tricky. David said that God's love is "as vast as the heavens." He also said that God's love is "unfailing." But I believe it has conditions:<br />
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<u><b>#1 God's Character</b></u><br />
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God's love is unfailing because he is unfailing. His love is faithful because he is faithful. David goes on to say that his "faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds." <br />
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As humans we fail all the time. We are extremely unfaithful. We are incapable of showing "unconditional love." Human love is limited, because human beings are limited. Human love has conditions.<br />
God's love is conditioned by his character.<br />
John tells us something about God's character, "God is love."<br />
David tells us that all of God's creation experiences his love to some degree. "You care for people and animals alike, O Lord." David also tells us that all humanity experiences God's love to some degree, "All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings." <br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Does God love every human being regardless of condition? Absolutely! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I believe that the conditions don't limit the amount of God's love but our experience of that love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the Old testament Jews experienced more of God's love than Gentiles because of the condition of the covenant / law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>#2 His Son</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the New Testament followers of Christ experience more of God's love than non-followers because of the condition of Jesus' death on the Cross! Paul tells us in Romans 11:17 that gentiles can now experience the blessings God promised Abraham and his children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>#3 Our FAITH</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Paul tells us that it is through our faith that we are made right with God. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that we experience salvation. It is through faith that we experience relationship with God. It is through FAITH that we experience more of his Love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>#4 Our OBEDIENCE</u></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Every time the Bible expresses a promise of blessing (e..g. If you, then God) it is a condition to our experiencing more of the Love of God through his blessings upon obedience. </span></div>
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I realize that this is a fine line to walk. Paul also told us that salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done. God blesses us because of his goodness not ours, but yet he clearly communicates to us that he rewards our obedience.<br />
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I feel like I am in the "extreme middle" on this issue. There are extremes on each end that I believe do not honor God. The one extreme is a thinking that we are constantly striving to be good enough to "earn" God's love. The other extreme is thinking that our actions are irrelevant because "God still loves me." <br />
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My understanding of God's love is constantly growing. I challenge you to examine your pre-conceived ideas about his love. <br />
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Let me know what you think. Is God's love unconditional or conditional? <br /> Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7967825585702880592.post-88115478161644649842013-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:002013-01-23T10:30:46.635-08:00Should we only accept good from God? <b> </b>I love being a Dad but their are times when it is much more enjoyable than others. The times when I really don't enjoy being a Father is when I have to discipline my kids. I recently had to punish one of my kids because of a string of deceitful and dishonest acts. If you would have popped into my house at the moment I was disciplining them and would have seen their reaction to the punishment, you might have been tempted to label me an abusive father. <br />
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But before you call and report me for child abuse, you should know that what I did was take away a few of their most prized possessions and privileges, until their changed behavior could earn their redemption. <br />
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My children can tell by the look on my face and the tone of my voice when I am entering their room to administer punishment. Their reaction is not pleasant at all. It is quite the opposite reaction that I would receive if I entered their room to give them a gift, say an ice cream cone or a new toy. They are quite happy to see me in those moments. But what my children are not able to see because of their immaturity, is that my heart and motivation towards them is exactly the same in both of those moments. I want to bless them!<br />
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I totally understand why they don't see punishment, discipline and correction as a blessing. I didn't see those things as blessings either, when they came from my parents. But I am reminded of a quote from the book of Job: "Should we only accept good things from the hand of God and not bad?" <br />
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We will line up to buy the latest book on "6 easy steps to receiving God's blessings." But a book on "Making the most of God's correction" probably won't even make it on the shelves. We love to hear preachers tell us that God wants to fill our pockets with money, our houses with stuff, and our garages with a Lexus and an Escalade. But we have no desire to hear a message saying that sometimes God allows us to suffer pain. What preacher wants to preach "God disciplines those he loves?" <br />
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Pain comes into our lives through three different ways. <br />
<b><u>1. Through our choice.</u></b><br />
I can warn my children that certain actions will result in pain, but they choose whether or not they will listen to me. God is the same towards us.<br />
Their are some things that are out of his control!<b> </b>God chooses not to override our choices: therefore putting it out of his control. <br />
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<b><u>2. Through another's choice.</u></b><br />
Just as God chooses not to control our choices, he also chooses not to control other people's choices. Sometimes those choices result in other people causing us pain.<br />
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<u><b>3. Through God's choice.</b></u><br />
This is the hardest one for me to swallow. <b> </b>God allows painful circumstances into our lives. Why? Sometimes, it is to correct us. "No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward their will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." Hebrews 12:11<br />
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Sometimes, it is the devil trying to destroy our faith. Please don't ever pretend to be God and tell someone else that they are going through pain because God is punishing them. You have no idea! God wants us to respond out of love and compassion to someone's pain, not judgement and criticism. <br />
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The promise that I hold onto when I go through pain is Romans 8:28. (And I fully understand that the pain I have went through in my life is nothing compared to what others have endured! But God's promises our the same regardless.) "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."<br />
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So I challenge you to ask God a couple of questions in the midst of pain, "What do you want to teach me through this?" and "How are you going to work this out for my good?" <br />
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<br />Brad Singletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00269455127197822386noreply@blogger.com1