tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73165338494972730852024-02-20T09:30:28.759-06:00PrimaryDaniel C. Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17957586263432231768noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-89606438805145552482012-04-17T15:12:00.002-05:002012-04-17T15:16:17.619-05:001 Samuel 3:7 ... Being 'aware' of God vs. 'knowing' God<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:donotshowmarkup/> <w:donotshowcomments/> <w:donotshowinsertionsanddeletions/> <w:donotshowpropertychanges/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">1 Samuel 3:7 - Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The thought that hit me this morning as reading through 1 Samuel was the idea of ‘being aware of God’ versus ‘knowing God’.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Samuel had been offered by his mother, Hannah, to the Lord … not to help with a one-time service project but to serve a life-long service to God (1 Samuel 1:22 – “ … After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the LORD, and he will live there always.”).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord, Samuel ministered before the LORD (2:18) and served the LORD faithfully (2:26, 2:35).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While Eli’s own sons were NOT ministering or serving well, Samuel humbly served.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I don’t know exactly what ‘ministering’ or ‘serving’ looked like for a young boy at that time but I think of what ‘serving’ God looks like for most of us today.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Serving = preparing food at pantries, volunteering to help the poor, donating clothes, doing dishes at church after coffee, helping paint a house, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Samuel served humbly, faithfully, diligently; all while believing in and being aware of a God much bigger than he was and working his way to be closer to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think we serve with a lot of the same intentions today because we believe in God and are aware that there are many good ways to<span style="color:red"> </span>serve and perform that will help our churches, help the needy, and hopefully make God smile at us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, 1 Samuel 3:7 is an interesting verse - ‘Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD …<a name="_GoBack"></a>’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I do not know how long Samuel served before this verse appears, but naturally you would assume that Samuel ‘knew’ God since he was serving Him in the house of the Lord under a priest that ‘knew’ God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The verse pretty clearly says that Samuel did ‘NOT yet know the LORD.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is only a few verses later that Samuel EXPERIENCES God!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With a little help from Eli, Samuel recognizes God’s voice and responds with “Speak, your servant is listening” and then hears clearly from God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not only does he hear God clearly, but he is obedient and never lets God’s words ‘fall to the ground’ (3:19). </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do we assume that we ‘know’ God simply because we serve Him every once in a while?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think I am guilty of being aware that God exists as opposed to eagerly desiring to KNOW God … I often find myself being satisfied with serving, doing, and performing instead of needing to be CONNECTED to my Father … I see God at work often but stop short of always ENTERING His Kingdom … </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><u>What is Your Primary?</u></i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Is it to simply be aware of God for a few hours each week or do you genuinely desire to know your Creator, your Father, the King Eternal, the only God?</p>toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-44513543226126472062012-01-27T13:30:00.000-06:002012-01-27T13:37:34.996-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryPsalm 18:19 - ... he rescued me because he delighted in me.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-24497756189114560112012-01-24T15:30:00.000-06:002012-01-27T13:36:45.145-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryRT @XploreMyFaith If you won't read your Bible daily you will get deceived by the spirit of this world.<br /><br /><br /><br />1 Thess. 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-34813057140419090542012-01-23T08:32:00.000-06:002012-01-27T13:34:54.503-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryGalatians 5:6 - ... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-49337023776515982162012-01-19T22:00:00.001-06:002012-01-20T13:56:59.322-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryRT @<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JohnBevere</span> - as believers, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ! Heirs = a person inheriting and continuing the legacy of a predecessor. #<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Relentlessbk</span>toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-48551527147624502212012-01-17T08:02:00.001-06:002012-01-17T08:03:22.553-06:00tweets from @ourprimaryPhilippians 3:8 - ... I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ...toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-46302235054799331102012-01-16T22:00:00.002-06:002012-01-17T08:06:37.969-06:00tweets from @ourprimaryMatthew 8:13 - ... “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” ...toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-77363813073587816162012-01-16T22:00:00.001-06:002012-01-17T08:05:59.814-06:00tweets from @ourprimaryMatthew 10:1 - Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits ...Matthew 10:1 - Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits ...toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-65698240677935294862012-01-16T22:00:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:05:17.460-06:00tweets from @ourprimaryLuke 10:17 - The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” ... (18-24)toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-41299982933651471542012-01-12T14:50:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:14:45.313-06:00tweet from @ourprimary1 Corinthians 10:31 - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-75552860460425812432012-01-07T08:13:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:14:11.028-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryRT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="desiringgod" href="http://twitter.com/desiringgod" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>desiringgod</b></a> J. I. Packer: "If I were the devil, one of my first aims would be to stop folk from digging into the Bible."toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-29925988089046834832012-01-05T13:15:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:13:34.253-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryRT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="XploreMyFaith" href="http://twitter.com/XploreMyFaith" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>XploreMyFaith</b></a> Simple faith in Jesus will do more for you than complicated philosophy.<br /><br /><br />RT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="LisaBevere" href="http://twitter.com/LisaBevere" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>LisaBevere</b></a> As you set time & distractions aside to pursue God remember: A diet changes the way you look-A fast changes how you see.<br /><br /><br />RT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="LisaBevere" href="http://twitter.com/LisaBevere" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>LisaBevere</b></a> A Change in vision lends renewed perspective-a wardrobe change does not always equal inward transformation.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-9712379534202097142012-01-04T09:30:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:12:37.959-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryDeuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-23139434257131166612012-01-02T10:00:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:11:55.145-06:00tweet from @ourprimaryEph. 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,<br /><br /><br />RT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="JohnBevere" href="http://twitter.com/JohnBevere" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>JohnBevere</b></a> The Kingdom of God has already come spiritually. It is within us, God’s covenant people. Luke 17:20-21toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-74492656401909400942011-12-29T18:21:00.000-06:002012-01-17T08:10:55.202-06:00tweets from @ourprimary1 John 3:23 - And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-72860121875315680252011-12-28T07:00:00.001-06:002012-01-17T08:09:32.285-06:00tweets from @ourprimary1 John 3:1- How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ...<br /><br /><br />RT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="JohnBevere" href="http://twitter.com/JohnBevere" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>JohnBevere</b></a> “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God...” Eph 2:8–9<br /><br /><br />RT <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" name="XploreMyFaith" href="http://twitter.com/XploreMyFaith" rel="nofollow"><s>@</s><b>XploreMyFaith</b></a> Instead of focusing on Jesus, Judas focused on 30 pieces of silver. Let's not focus on the temporary things of this worldtoddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-48574188821853444912011-12-25T09:15:00.001-06:002011-12-28T07:47:33.656-06:00Twitter post from @ourprimaryJesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." - John 6:29toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-56705540874638191352011-12-23T15:37:00.000-06:002011-12-28T07:48:59.326-06:00Twitter post from @ourprimaryMark 12:30 - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-66563310724133694682011-09-20T17:02:00.006-05:002011-09-21T14:14:42.054-05:00World Mandate<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">hey y'all<br />Just got back from the World Mandate conference in Texas! I went down with a group from our church and had an incredible weekend of worship, prayer and teaching. I'm really not a conference junky but this is the second time I have been to World Mandate and have come away changed and truly inspired each time. I captured some notes that I feel are worthy of passing along. If you don't have the time to read through all notes here is the point: God has set us apart for His Kingdom purposes and called us to be light in the darkness (i.e. what good is a flashlight if you never end up in the dark?) SO...RUN TO THE BATTLE!!!! Go find the darkest parts of your work environment, your neighborhood, your city, etc., and courageously bring the light of Christ and His Kingdom. Do things Jesus' way and get Jesus' results! Simple...but not easy. Here's the extended notes:<br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:enableopentypekerning/> <w:dontflipmirrorindents/> <w:overridetablestylehps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt; text-align:center;line-height:normal" align="center"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;" >World Mandate 2011</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;" >Running into the Battle Notes</span><br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Session 1:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jimmy Seibert, “Running to the Battle”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“…let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“…but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel…the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>1 Samuel<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>17</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>David’s life provides the perspective needed to run into the battle</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>God is not intimidated by our pain and weakness</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>If we don’t face the Goliaths they will overtake us</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Passivity will not change the world</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We need to appeal to our leaders righteously</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We can’t have boldness without intimacy</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Session 2:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Floyd McClung, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Not turning back”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Psalm 78:9-11</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Surrender sight unseen…it starts with us volunteering.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God is waiting to see if we want to do something</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Stay focused to what you have surrendered to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God will bring/allow tests to come</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Align your values with the Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The kingdom of self needs to surrender to the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not words but deeds….”I want to be a man who really cares!”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Humility</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Brokenness/compassion</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Meekness</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Hunger/thirst for righteousness</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Merciful/forgiveness</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Pure in heart/holiness</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Peacemakers</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>persecution</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Focus on Discipleship: we have to get behind the scenes and start investing in people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Always asking, “what is the Holy Spirit saying to the person I am meeting with?”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Call them into their destiny</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Encourage and build them up</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Humility/Honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Be willing to start over.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God I need a new beginning will you give me a fresh start.</p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Session 3:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jim Yost, “Running like Jesus”</span> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luke 10:2-4</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Do things Jesus’ way and get Jesus’ results</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Can’t have success without opposition…they go hand in hand</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We need Jesus to kick laborers out into the field</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>1 qualification:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“Don’t look back”</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We just have to like to talk about God</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Don’t get side-tracked from the harvest…this is our calling</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Disciple = radical commitment to Jesus Christ</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>No more meetings without non-believers</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Cell groups must have non-believers</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Small groups meet in non-believers home</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Strategy:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luke 10:4-12</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Eat with them</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Do not greet anyone on the road/ do not move around…in other words stay focused</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo3"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Bring the Kingdom/blessing</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Session 4: Kristine Cane</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Do you pose any danger to the Kingdom of darkness?</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We can’t play it safe, we have to risk</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>The purpose of life is not to arrive at death safely</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We must be careful not to confuse empathy/sympathy with compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Compassion <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height:115%font-size:11.0pt;" >goes</span></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Empathy/sympathy stays put and keeps it safe.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>What is God saying today to the church?</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Ephesians 5 = Awaken.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are sleep walking and going nowhere</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Imitate God</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Live a life of Love</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Not even a hint of sexual immorality</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Don’t be deceived by empty words</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Live as children of the light</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Find out what pleases the Lord</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Be filled with the Spirit</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Romans 13 = wake up from your slumber</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Love one another</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Put on the armor of light</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Isaiah 1:12-17 = re-calibrating the church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is a shift needed in our priorities</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Stop the meaningless offerings, evil assemblies, there is blood on your hands</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>First Works<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(OUR PRIMARY!) = Luke 9:23 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luke 9:59-60 “He said to another man, ‘follow me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jesus said to him, ‘let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.”</i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.5in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level3 lfo4"><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-fareast-font-family:Wingdings;mso-bidi-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">§<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>We want to do the things of God after we’ve done our things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God wants His will to be first (Primary!!!)</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Revelation 2:4 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Remember the height from which you have fallen!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Repent and do the things you did at first.”</i></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:1.0in;mso-add-space:auto; text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level2 lfo4"><span style="font-family:"Courier New";mso-fareast-Courier New"font-family:";" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">o<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Matthew 6:33 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”</i></p><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>JLVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967744366037641104noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-58779123313455847382011-09-14T06:24:00.000-05:002011-09-14T06:57:29.531-05:00True Fasting?Isaiah 58:4<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">b</span> - YOU CANNOT FAST AS YOU DO TODAY AND EXPECT YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD ON HIGH. <div><br /></div><div>"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:"<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* loose the chains of injustice</div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* untie the cords of the yoke</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* set the oppressed free</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* break every yoke</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* share your food with the hungry</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* provide the poor wanderer with shelter</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* clothe the naked</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* do not turn away your own flesh and blood in need</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* do away with the yoke of oppression</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* quit pointing the finger</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* stop malicious talk</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* spend yourself in behalf of the hungry</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* satisfy the needs of the oppressed</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* honor the Lord's holy day by not going your own way</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* not doing as you please</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>* not speaking idle words</div><div><br /></div><div>God says '<i><b>THEN</b></i> your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; <b><i>THEN</i></b> your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. <b><i>THEN</i></b> you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: HERE I AM! ... <b><i>THEN</i></b> your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs when there is no hope, he'll strengthen your frame ... <b><i>THEN</i></b> you will find your joy in the LORD!'</div><div><br /></div><div>[This looks <i>just a little</i> different than my current 'skipping breakfast, lunch, and dinner one day <i>about</i> every other week' ... ]</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-10336169411765537452011-08-29T08:58:00.001-05:002011-08-29T13:17:05.060-05:00The Oasis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDvmJCv-8G9cVcJcrm4zSb2BCkqrBT619pIf3LrxgQr5H0Nn-ZHkV_crk7mdP-ZGcdkdOVP5DkiAHfgFSsr51dzvQ_yo6ACC7mBXOE9eqBZytNR5ducpJ9YfmVpy_P48yidIlKRSjPrcn/s1600/haiti2011_0232szdchis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDvmJCv-8G9cVcJcrm4zSb2BCkqrBT619pIf3LrxgQr5H0Nn-ZHkV_crk7mdP-ZGcdkdOVP5DkiAHfgFSsr51dzvQ_yo6ACC7mBXOE9eqBZytNR5ducpJ9YfmVpy_P48yidIlKRSjPrcn/s320/haiti2011_0232szdchis2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine being out in the middle of a desert. The sun is high in the sky, unrelenting. The sand beneath your sandals almost smolders, and the heat from the ground lofts up to your nostrils. You're beyond dry, you're parched. Your throat becomes a heated kiln. It is like the earth when it forms into the endless cracks of broken pottery, opening, straining for any drop of moisture. The dampness of saliva would be nice, but even the pebble you've placed under your tongue no longer fools the body. There's just nothing left, and you're withering away from the face of the Earth. Is this your final hour?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Off in the distance, through the ripples of heat you see something. A hint of color, something waving? Is it real? Is it another mirage taunting your soul? Closer you walk, not really believing, no hope in your steps.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The trail behind you is not the walk of a man so much as the slither of a snake. Your toes drag with each movement.</div><div style="text-align: left;">But then the wind changes and there is the wisp of a scent that drifts across your nose. Your body realizes it even before your drowsy thoughts can awaken, and then comes the exclamation! Water?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That's the smell of WATER!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A new drive takes over. Your feet begin to leave the earth with a bounce. Your hopes are rekindled and the new vision before you almost carries you on wings. In fact, almost nothing in this world could stop you now. You recognize the palms and can even see the tall grasses. You are driven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"I am not finished!" you scream to your spirit!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To the waters edge you fall, and it isn't enough. Your whole body, as if by pure impulse, pushes you in. It's cold! It's pure and fresh and life-giving. Some sort of artesian well, broken from the bowels of the deep dark canyons of bedrock below, bubbling up at the same rate as the joy renewing in your heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your thoughts become your own again. Clarity returns. You sit beneath the shade of the Palm. Your canteens are filled and your lips, once again moist and elastic. You smile, even laugh at how close you came to Death's door. Your voice is raised to Heaven as you thank God for your good fortune.....but then....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What's that? Out in the ripples. A speck, just a rock....no, it's moving. Slowly, but yes, it's certainly moving. Whatever it is, it's still alive. It doesn't have your fortune though. It's not moving towards this dreamy place. It's moving to the side.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Doesn't it see this palm? Does it see and not believe?</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Life," you whisper beneath your breath, still not sure. "There is life here you foolish beast."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then the heat relents for just a moment, and you make out the figure of a woman.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, no doubt a woman!</div><div style="text-align: left;">You see her hair tossing about. Her frame in full view. You can even see her dragging steps, familiar in your mind to your own not long ago. To your feet you pounce as air fills your lungs!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your arms waving frantically you jump into the air, and from the very core of your soul comes your scream,</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"HEY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"THIS WAY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"THERE IS, THERE IS WATER HERE! THIS WAY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The figure, just about to cross the horizon of the next sand dune, seems not to hear. Your voice must not be cutting through this heat. You run towards her, gambling in your mind, '<i>how far will I chase her, will I lose sight of this place, will I find it again if I run all the way to her?'</i>, and just before she takes the last step out of your sight, you scream with all you've got,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER! <i>LIFE-GIVING</i> WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The winds shift, just for a moment, and your message rides the waves. Faintly, she stops in her tracks. She turns and peers through the hot sun. There is an eternity that passes, as her drifting thoughts push through. Are you real? Could it be? Is it worth it to change course? You catch your breath and hold it.... and finally she turns your direction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>YES! YES! YES!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>SALVATION!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That, my friends, is this verse to me, written from a man in prison, about to die for his love of Christ, to another, younger and more timid brother in the faith. He was just a beggar, telling another beggar where to find food, once a lost and hopeless soul who'd had the fortune of finding the Oasis:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but that of power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..." 2 Tim 1 ~ Paul</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This message is life-giving. We should never be afraid to shout it from the rooftops, let alone the basement. May we have the confidence to venture out from the shade of the Palm for the sake of another. May we all have the spirit of search-and-rescue. May we approach them with child-like understanding. May we share. Anything less would be criminal.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine being out in the middle of a desert. The sun is high in the sky, unrelenting. The sand beneath your sandals almost smolders, and the heat from the ground lofts up to your nostrils. You're beyond dry, your parched. Your throat becomes a heated kiln, as the earth when it forms into the endless cracks like broken pottery, opening, straining for any drop of moisture. The dampness of saliva would be nice, but even the pebble you've placed under your tongue no longer fools the body. There's just nothing left, and your are withering away from the face of the Earth. Is this your final hour?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Off in the distance, through the ripples of heat you see something. A hint of color, something waving? Is it real? Is it another mirage taunting your soul? Closer you walk, not really believing, no hope in your steps. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The trail behind you is not the walk of a man so much as the slither of a snake. Your toes drag with each movement.</div><div style="text-align: left;">But then the wind changes and there is the wisp of a scent that drifts across your nose. Your body realizes it even before your drowsy thoughts can awaken, and then comes the exclamation! Water?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That's the smell of WATER!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A new drive takes over. Your feet begin to leave the earth with a bounce. Your hopes are rekindled and the new vision before you almost carries you on wings. In fact, almost nothing in this world could stop you now. You recognize the palms and can even see the tall grasses. You are driven.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"I am not finished!" you scream to your spirit!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To the waters edge you fall, and it isn't enough. Your whole body, as if by pure impulse, pushes you in. It's cold! It's pure and fresh and life-giving. Some sort of artesian well, broken from the bowels of the deep dark canyons of bedrock below, bubbling up at the same rate as the joy renewing in your heart.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your thoughts become your own again. Clarity returns. You sit beneath the shade of the Palm. Your canteens are filled and your lips, once again moist and elastic. You smile, even laugh at how close you came to Death's door. Your voice is raised to Heaven as you thank God for your good fortune.....but then....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What's that? Out in the ripples. A speck, just a rock....no, it's moving. Slowly, but yes, it's certainly moving. Whatever it is, it's still alive. It doesn't have your fortune though. It's not moving towards this dreamy place. It's moving to the side.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Doesn't it see this palm? Does it see and not believe?</div><div style="text-align: left;">"Life," you whisper beneath your breath, still not sure. "There is life here you foolish beast."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then the heat relents for just a moment, and you make out the figure of a woman.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, no doubt a woman!</div><div style="text-align: left;">You see her hair tossing about. Her frame in full view. You can even see her dragging steps, familiar in your mind to your own not long ago. To your feet you pounce as air fills your lungs!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Your arms waving frantically you jump into the air, and from the very core of your soul comes your scream,</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"HEY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"THIS WAY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;">"THERE IS, THERE IS WATER HERE! THIS WAY!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The figure, just about to cross the horizon of the next sand dune, seems not to hear. Your voice must not be cutting through this heat. You run towards her, gambling in your mind, '<i>how far will I chase her, will I lose sight of this place, will I find it again if I run all the way to her?'</i>, and just before she takes the last step out of your sight, you scream with all you've got,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"WATER! <i>LIFE-GIVING</i> WATER!"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The winds shift, just for a moment, and your message rides the waves. Faintly, she stops in her tracks. She turns and peers through the hot sun. There is an eternity that passes, as her drifting thoughts push through. Are you real? Could it be? Is it worth it to change course? You catch your breath and hold it.... and finally she turns your direction.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>YES! YES! YES!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>SALVATION!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">That, my friends, is this verse to me, written from a man in prison, about to die for his love of Christ, to another, younger and more timid brother in the faith. He was just a beggar, telling another beggar where to find food, once a lost and hopeless soul who'd had the fortune of finding the Oasis:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but that of power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..." 2 Tim 1 ~ Paul</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This message is life-giving. We should never be afraid to shout it from the rooftops, let alone the basement. May we have the confidence to venture out from the shade of the Palm for the sake of another. May we all have the spirit of search-and-rescue. May we approach them with child-like understanding. May we share. Anything less would be criminal.</div>Daniel C. Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17957586263432231768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-89886886538285367292011-08-26T10:08:00.000-05:002011-08-26T10:21:16.651-05:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:donotshowrevisions/> <w:donotprintrevisions/> <w:donotshowmarkup/> <w:donotshowcomments/> <w:donotshowinsertionsanddeletions/> <w:donotshowpropertychanges/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">~ </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >Rob Chaffart</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> (from </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#3C0000;mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Reflecting Reflections: Awake Series, Part 19)</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><span style="font-family: arial;">~ ... </span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">"As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." (Prov 27:19)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Isn't it interesting that none of these elements - Sand, water or snow, can stop themselves from reflecting the sun!
<br />
<br />We, too, reflect who we fix our eyes on. If it is worldly pleasure, our reflection will be geared towards the selfish side. If it is the Son of God, we will reflect Him, the source of all life. We can't help but reflect His light! He is our source of happiness as well as our inner peace!
<br />
<br />As we contemplate our Master at work, that reflection of Him in our lives will become clearer and clearer. After all, we ARE sons and daughters of God!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Who are you reflecting?</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">2 Corinthians 3:18 … "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hebrews 12:1-3 (The Message) … <sup>1-3</sup>Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV) … <sup>1</sup> Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, <sup id="en-NIV-30215">2</sup> fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <sup id="en-NIV-30216">3</sup> Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.</span></p> <span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"></span>toddhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05678777043496175873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-45656931832245873322011-08-20T12:25:00.001-05:002011-08-20T12:25:49.307-05:002 Cor 8:7<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>A few years ago I visited my parents as they put on the first Carefest in St. Augustine. I wanted to be a part of the work God was doing through them but had no idea the work he would do in me. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>As people came and went at the event , there was a group of people ,who were not part of the event, sitting at a picnic table behind the tent and next to the labor ready building. Charlene, another helper, and I decided to offer them donuts, waters and coffee. We had plenty. One gentleman asked if he could have extra for his sick friend who just got out of the hospital and was nearby. (I mis-understood him to say across the street in a truck.) So I began to load him up with donuts and drinks which he accepted. I could tell the load I was giving was more than he could carry so I offered to help walk it to his friend. We began walking and talking. He told me how his friend, Eli, had heart failure and there was nothing the Hospital could do so they brought him "home". We walked across the street where trucks were parked but we did not stop at the trucks. We went into the woods where my eyes were opened to a life style I had never experienced firsthand. We walked into an area of tents were people lived. It was neat and tighty, seven or eight tents were circled around a plastic table with chairs and a clothes line was hung between trees. There were 4 men there and myself. The men helped Eli off his cot and into a chair. They introduced me to him and themselves. We talked for a minute and they told me more about Eli. How he rode his bike everywhere, doing silly tricks and making people laugh, how he was so generous and if he only had the shirt on his back but someone else needed it he would give it and how he worked as hard as he could before he became ill. They showed me his swollen red ankles and how bone skinny he had become. I knelt beside Eli and asked if I could pray. Mind you at this point in my life I was not very comfortable praying aloud with others. With eyes closed I laid my right hand on his bony left shoulder and began to thank God for Eli's life and his friends. I asked that God would send the right people to help Eli and that He would be Eli's comfort. While I was praying I began hearing my name called. I was especially tuned in to my mother's frantic screams for me. I finished the prayer quickly wished them well, told them I would bring lunch when it came and headed towards the calls for me. I remember immediately thinking something must have happened to my Dad and they were looking for me. However, when I reached the three ladies calling after me I realized they were fearful of my where abouts. What was I thinking they asked because they knew what I did not, that homeless men lived back in the woods. I began to tell them about Eli and that I was fine. And I learned that God had already begun answering my prayer. Of the three ladies looking for me were Charlene, director of hospice, my mother, caregiver extraordinaire, and Bev, pastor's wife of Homeport. I asked if they could help him and they began working on it. I enjoyed the rest of the day with mom and dad while Eli was making his way into my heart and Bev and Charlene were trying to help him. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The next day, Dad called and gave me an update on Eli as I was returning home and in the airport. Bev had a fire department go to Eli and transport him to Charlene's hospice where he was cleaned, fed and resting comfortably. That Tuesday Eli passed away. Charlene had learned that Eli was a Veteran and they were able to give him a military burial. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>So what if I had not been willing to go, close my eyes and pray? What if Charlene and Bev just let it go and chose to focus on the days events instead of helping Eli? Would Eli have died in the tent without the burial he deserved? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>When all was done and I could see how God cared for Eli and answered my prayer. While I was with those men, in the woods, in a homeless camp I had complete peace, no fear at all because the Holy Spirit was in me and working on Eli's behalf. My heart was so moved that I have looked at many aspects of my life very differently since I met Eli. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>I look at all people without judgment but love and compassion. I do my best to keep the two greatest commands: Love your God with all your heart, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Unless we are willing to go when God calls we may miss a great gift He has planned for us. Don't be afraid to go into the woods for Christ who died a horrible death that we may live and love one another the way he loves us.</span><br /> </p><p>HOWEVER, I have failed! A couple weeks ago as I was coming out of Wally World and an elderly gentleman was standing at the light with a pink sign that read "Hungry, old and ugly but God loves me anyway". I called him over and gave him a 5 dollar bill that was at the top of my purse, told him I loved his sign and we had a quick laugh. The next day my kids and I were driving to the lake and as we got off the interstate there was a man standing with a sign and at the bottom and said "God Bless". My son asked if that was a HOBO. As we got closer I called him over, gave him the 5 dollars bill sitting at the top of my purse and wished God's blessings on him as well. As we drove off I explained to Will that he is a man in need of help and as Christians it is our job to do what we can to help. Will replied with a yea and said and he is probably a Christian too. Ok, so how did I fail? Tucked further down in my purse and in my wallet was also a 20 and a 50 dollar bill (which we used later to go out to dinner). I questioned myself, Why did I not give those bigger bills. Was it because my husband would not agree, because I did not trust that it would not be spent on alcohol and cigarettes or because I had plans for that money? The crazier thing is that I normally do not have any cash and in both situations I had a choice of what to give. I wonder, what would Christ have done and why did I not do it? <br /></p><p>"but just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech and knowledge in complete earnestness and in your love(for us) see that you also excel in the grace of giving"<br /></p><p>There are so many opportunities in our days to truly be the hands and feet of Christ. Unfortunately we so often fall short because we do not give until it hurts or we do not even notice the chance to share his love. I am challenging myself to do better and I hope you join me in this challenge! When we cannot give financially we can give the gift of a prayer, a smile or a kind word of encouragement. And of course, we can always give of our time. If you have story to share please send it to me at <a href='mailto:carrie@ourprimary.com'>carrie@ourprimary.com</a><br /> </p><p>God Bless us ALL!</p></span>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17585185207354558028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-73020833304674769842011-08-16T07:36:00.000-05:002011-08-16T07:40:02.222-05:00Eternal TruthSince this is a life or death situation we will cut right to the chase. Satan roams the earth seeking whom he may devour. He hates you and his desire is to see you spend eternity in hell with him and his devils. This hell was originally designed for Satan and his followers but will also be used to contain for eternity all who fail to confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior and give their lives fully over to Him in thought, word, and deed.
<br />
<br />Imagine for a moment complete darkness, dark so dark that you cannot even imagine what light is like any more; and complete isolation from everyone and everything. You are suffering the worst physical pain you have ever felt and there is no one to help you and no hope of ever getting better. Worms eat at your flesh constantly and the smell of decomposition of your own body never goes away. As much as the worms eat at you, they never run out of flesh and you have no reprieve, not even through death, for you have already died the physical death. In addition to the stench of decomposition you also smell a combination of vomit and rotten eggs (or burning sulfur). The smells never go away and you have no relief. The smells are so strong that your eyes burn from the vapors. You try to rub your eyes, but the skin on your hands is so mutilated by the worms and maggots, that it only makes the pain in your eyes and on your body worse. You would do anything to stop the pain, but it is relentless and you now know that it will never go away. The word ‘never’ now haunts you and you for the first time understand and comprehend the scope of eternity.
<br />
<br />The only thing that outweighs the physical torment is the emotional torture as you constantly replay in your mind (over and over again) how you missed the words of truth in the temporal life and bought into the lies of the devil that brought you to this unimaginably awful place. You thought you were going to be “OK” because you lived a life that was comparatively good by worldly standards, but you never measured yourself by the truth of biblical standards. You were deceived and you fell for it and now the devil laughs at your foolishness for all eternity. The only thing you have that resembles interaction with any being is occasional visits from devils that laugh at you, call you a fool, and then vomit on you and leave again. The vomit burns in your open wounds and acts as an additional food source for the maggots. The pain and torment will never stop… never… ever…
<br />
<br />But you still have hope, for you have not passed into your eternal life yet. As long as you have breath in you, you can still make a choice that will change your eternal destiny from the one described above to one of utter and complete joy, peace, and happiness forever! You can make an eternity-transforming decision today that will ensure there is not only hope from the trials of this temporal world but it also ensures a place for you in the eternal Kingdom of God. A Kingdom with a blue sky that is a deeper blue color than anything you ever experienced. The winds that blow are soft warm winds that carry the most beautiful fragrances and every time you breathe you pick up a hint of something else wonderful. If you close your eyes, you can bask in the warmth of the light; not light from the sun like on the old earth that could only be enjoyed for a moment, but rather a light that never ends that emanates from the Son of Man, Jesus Christ; a light that provides a never ending renewal of energy. There is no physical pain and no more tears. Life is perfect in every way and you enjoy the fellowship of others around you in perfect harmony. Love is the blood that now flows through your veins. You cannot imagine a more perfect place; everything is far better than your wildest expectations and you are overcome by the fact that you can spend eternity in this wonderful place.
<br />
<br />You see, the devil hates you because you are a son/daughter of God, created in His image and someone who God delights in. God earnestly desires to have you spend eternity with Him in the new heaven and new earth. Christ himself waits anxiously to greet you into this wonderful place and welcome you to your eternal home prepared for you. His heart yearns to be united with you for eternity. But God will not make this eternity-transforming decision for you; this is something only you can do. You have a choice to make in your life now that will affect where you spend eternity. If you choose to confess your sins, ask for forgiveness with a humble and contrite heart, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior through His sacrificial death on the cross, and resolutely determine to die to your old life of sin and live a new life in Christ, you will be granted eternal life in the wonderful Kingdom of God. If you do not make this conscious and deliberate decision in its completeness, you will spend eternity in hell with the devil and his followers. It is your choice, only you can decide. The decision to give your life fully over to Christ will not make this temporal life easy, but it will offer peace and a confidence that an eternal prize awaits you at the appointed time. A time that is approaching, a time that is closer every day, every hour, every minute (for no one knows the hour of Christ’s return)… what will you decide?
<br />SVHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02710957521659009971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7316533849497273085.post-19419569105621479192011-08-12T21:03:00.000-05:002011-08-12T21:16:42.355-05:00The KickIn the futuristic movie, “Inception”, men have figured out how to initiate and manipulate dreams. In the movie actor Leonardo Dicaprio and fellow actors and actresses are working on a project that “builds” dreams. They are able to manufacture dreams, enter those dreams, and even bring others into their dreams. Not only were they able to initiate and manipulate dreams, they could do this at multiple levels. Once in a dream, they could initiate another dream – a second level dream. They could continue this until they were several layers or levels into the dream worlds. The catch was that the deeper one went into the dream world (i.e. the more levels of dreams one was engaged in) the more likely it was that they would never wake up. Once a dreamer went past the first level of dreams the risk that they would never wake up increased. This risk increased exponentially with every layer deeper the dreamer went. The reason the risk increased the deeper the dreamer went was due to the fact as the dreamer went deeper into the dream worlds the less the dreamer was able to differentiate between the dream world and the real world. In other words, the more levels of dreams the dreamer engaged in the more the dream world felt like reality and because the dreamer was in so many levels deep simply waking up was no longer physically possible. A deep level dreamer would never wake up if not prompted to do so from the reality level. Therefore, to protect against a dreamer never waking up, these dream programmers would leave a designated individual at the reality level (i.e. awake) to initiate what they referred to as, “The Kick”. The Kick was a premeditated act that would shock the deep dreamer sufficient enough to wake him/her up from all levels of the dreams at once. Without The Kick, the deep dreamer would never wake up from the dream and would die in his/her sleep.
<br />
<br />As fallen human beings we are all, to various degrees, living in a dream world (i.e. a false reality). Our sin has put us asleep to the reality of eternity. Each one of us has fallen into respective levels of dreams; and like the movie, the deeper we have fallen into the dream world the more the dream world feels like reality. Many of us are so deep that we actually believe that this temporal world, which we can see, is complete reality and the eternal world, which we cannot yet see, does not even exist. The truth is very different – what we see is only a small part of reality and what we cannot yet see is the complete or full reality. Because many of us are so deep into this temporal dream world, unless “The Kick” is applied by someone who is awake we will never wake up until it’s too late and we have passed into the eternal reality.
<br />
<br />The whole concept and foundation of the gospel message is one of the eternal reality of heaven and hell. If living in the dream world, we see no need for a Savior – why would we – if this dream world is the complete reality and Jesus only offers eternal security, what’s the point. If this dream world is all there is and there is no other reality, Jesus really just gets in the way and only means we may enjoy our dream reality less. Someone living in the temporal dream world not aware of the eternal reality has no incentive to accept the gospel message – it is a waste of time from their false sense of reality.
<br />
<br />Passing into the eternal reality without having made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and living for Him results in an eternal reality of never ending pain and suffering (i.e. hell). Living in the temporal dream world and never waking up to the eternal reality of heaven and hell is literally lethal. This I believe is the devils primary strategy – to keep us asleep in the false reality of the temporal dream world. So long as we do not wake up to the eternal reality and stay in our temporal dream world the devil can be assured we will never see the need or rational for true repentance and acceptance of a Savior. Unlike the common belief that the devil’s desire is to make our life miserable, it is the exactly opposite. The devil is ultimately after our eternal suffering, not our temporal suffering. Trials and suffering in this temporal dream world can be effective in waking us up; comforts and worldly pleasures typically serve to keep us asleep, which is why [I believe] the Bible warns us so sternfully and repeatedly about the dangers of wealth and worldly possessions. Trials and suffering are Kicks in and of themselves as they remind us of the futility of this temporal world and often serve to get us thinking (and even looking forward to) the eternal reality. Luxuries and worldly comforts serve as sleeping aids and the devil uses them extensively to keep us in the temporal dream world. This is why the most effluent countries are often in the deepest levels of temporal dream world – yes, this should serve as an indictment of the Unites States of America. It is a fool that thinks they, despite the repeated stern warnings of scripture, have the ability to overcome the power of the most efficacious sleeping drug ever known – wealth.
<br />
<br />So often well-meaning ministry completely ignores the impact of the dream world in people’s lives. More often than not, ministry presents a version of the gospel message that stops short of the eternal reality of heaven and hell, and in doing so, it naively preaches a gospel message that actually serves to keep the person being witnessed to asleep. Rather than wake the person up with “The Kick” of the truth of the gospel message, we try to calm them back down and make them comfortable again – which is effectively singing a gospel lullaby that puts them back to sleep in the dream world with a false sense of comfort. Think about it, what are we inclined to tell lost people who are hurting that come to ministry for help? We typically remind them of God’s love for them and how He loves them just as they are – which is completely untrue. While it is true that God loved us while we were still sinners and sent His Son to die and pay the ransom for our sin, if you stay as you are and do not repent of your sins, die to your old life of sin, and live a new life in Christ, God does not continue to show His love to you. In fact, when Christ sits on His Great White Throne on Judgment Day, He will condemn all those who have not changed (i.e. “just as they are”) to eternal punishment. We may also be inclined to tell them that if they accept Jesus as their Savior that their pain will go away, which is also unbiblical. What we should be telling them is the truth – which is no matter how painful this life may be at times, it pales in comparison to what awaits those who have not confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and resolved to live their lives in His service. The very pain and suffering they are experiencing may be the very thing that helps wake them up from the temporal dream world; yet we try to sing them back to sleep with false or partial gospel messages.
<br />
<br />One of the most effective “Kicks” is the truth concerning the eternal reality of hell. This is why [I believe] the Bible spends so much time discussing the topic of eternal damnation. If we really understood what awaits those who have never given their life to Christ, we would all be sober, alert, and passionately trying to wake up the lost dreamers. One of the most efficacious Kicks in this regard that I have personally encountered is the audio theatre produced by Messenger International (The ministry of John and Lisa Bevere) entitled, “Rescued”. In this fictional audio drama a senior pastor of a large church, a man by the name of Alan, is on a trip with several of the long-time members of his congregation. While on the trip, Alan and those with him are involved in a boating accident and all of them perish. Alan is brought before the judgment seat of Christ where he witnesses the judgment of several of his congregation members, including Hal and Carrie, before receiving his own judgment. In this audio drama John Bevere very effectively wakes us up to the reality of hell. If you have not yet listened to this audio drama, I highly recommend it – it will wake you up from the temporal dream world (i.e. provide “The Kick” that we all need).
<br />SVHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02710957521659009971noreply@blogger.com0