tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297639232024-03-14T08:55:26.088-04:00Just a ThoughtMy random thoughts on culture, spirituality, christ and the churchTerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-22481733208739073682016-12-01T10:59:00.001-05:002016-12-02T20:36:40.190-05:00Imperfect is Perfect for God // A Christmas Thought<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexiP05D6NqOYrv2wUcQM0AvTlD6bzhTteSh0_jj_DrTRPoaw2U3PDvHT2JEbh3a4QLPGxWrYN_jx8yxMuTC2GjWDTtBFroluxMotLtoDZ3pbXNa_QahS_XBqGKBkQ1VJl9GJqfg/s1600/christmas+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexiP05D6NqOYrv2wUcQM0AvTlD6bzhTteSh0_jj_DrTRPoaw2U3PDvHT2JEbh3a4QLPGxWrYN_jx8yxMuTC2GjWDTtBFroluxMotLtoDZ3pbXNa_QahS_XBqGKBkQ1VJl9GJqfg/s320/christmas+tree.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Holidays
are here meaning 2016 will soon be in the archives. But before this year is
over there are still many memories yet to be made, because well…that’s what the
holidays are for.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With Christmas,
tradition, and memories in mind I hope you will take time to appreciate God in
the imperfections.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know that perhaps
sounds strange. Because we often think of God in terms of perfect, without
blemish, pristine. But if the story of
Christmas, that is the story of Jesus’ birth, teaches us anything it is that
God shows up most often and most beautifully, in the imperfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So I invite you
this Christmas season to look for God’s hand in the imperfect. See Him in that
Christmas tree with the bald spot you missed when you picked it out, that casserole
that doesn’t turn out right, the family photo with the one person whose eyes
are closed, the house that is messy, the car that leaks oil, the kid in the
choir that has to pee, the string of lights that doesn’t twinkle like it
should… well you get the idea. God is in the imperfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was
reminded of this the other day at a <i>For
King and Country</i> Christmas Concert at the Sun Dome. It was a marvelous
show, complete with lights and smoke and lasers. At one point in the show, the band played one
of their hits, Let My Life Be The Proof.
It was a crowd favorite, evidenced by the 7,000 worshippers with hands
raised, eyes closed, singing at the top of their lungs. It was a great worship moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I was taking
it all in when I noticed a young gentleman to my right in a wheel chair. His hands were raised, his eyes were closed,
his head down and he was singing with everything that was in him the lyrics of
the chorus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So let <b>my life be the proof</b>,<br />
<b>The proof of your love</b><br />
Let my love look like You and what You're made of<br />
How You lived, how You died<br />
Love is sacrifice<br />
So let my life be the proof,<br />
The proof of Your love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">-For King
and Country<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As he sang
those words with such conviction, I was deeply moved. Here was a man bound to a
wheel chair who was praying that his life (with all of its obvious
imperfections) would be proof of God’s love.
And you know what? He doesn’t know it but in that moment last Tuesday
night God did use his life and his imperfections to prove His love. Because he
proved it to me through my brother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My prayer for
you this Christmas is that you would see God in the imperfections. That you
might see God’s hand at work in your own imperfections and in those of the
loved ones around you. When you sit at
the table of friends and family with the assortment of imperfections each one brings,
God is there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Christmas
teaches us this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The First
Christmas was wrought with imperfections. An inconveniently timed birth. No
room. A feeding trough. Smelly animals. Sinful shepherds. Poverty. And yet, tight smack in the middle of that
imperfection…God! It turns out that
<b>imperfection is the perfect setting for you and me to experience God’s
presence.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So this
Christmas, my prayer is that you experience glorious moments of imperfection!</span></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-67468907034460550152016-06-27T12:10:00.000-04:002016-06-27T15:16:05.405-04:00God’s Nightly Art Show<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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My wife Kristy and I were at the beach the other evening. It
was one of those picturesque evenings, we so easily can take for granted in
Florida. As we sat watching the blue sky turn pink we were in awe of the palette
in the sky. It was a majestic swirl of pink, orange, purple, blue, and green.
Truly amazing. And God does it night after night! I thought maybe there should
be a chalk board sign at the entrance of the beach announcing, “Art Work
Displayed Nightly - Free and Open to the Public.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1wumqKJGDxquv5_Re1JsDRhDSbv8N20sCNWk9_LDwltVjGInyxY5N8Jsq3DfqRSFIQD7Al-4b_nSEvovsck0_Y_d8uKznjvOEB_ZdUjQvWEIt1UXX1BEPkTEpjSGVgKALPi1pQ/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1wumqKJGDxquv5_Re1JsDRhDSbv8N20sCNWk9_LDwltVjGInyxY5N8Jsq3DfqRSFIQD7Al-4b_nSEvovsck0_Y_d8uKznjvOEB_ZdUjQvWEIt1UXX1BEPkTEpjSGVgKALPi1pQ/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a>We admired God’s piece (see pic) like patrons at an art gallery, and talked
about how creative our God is. He creates beauty effortlessly. His medium includes
stars, planets, clouds and winds interpreted through our eyes (that He also
created)! And with those he paints. He paints whatever he feels. And as we stop
to observe and reflect we feel it too. We sense his beauty, his artistry, his
care and his power. Which is why, if
you’ve been on the beach at sunset it is quite common for beachgoers to spontaneously
applaud as the final speck of the sun dips into the sea. It’s a sort of “clap
offering” to God for another masterful job. I just love it when that happens
because people are ‘feeling’ God, and appreciating His artistry. In a way they
are returning to the Creator His recurring words in Genesis 1, “This is good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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While God is honored by it, He doesn’t create for applause.
He creates because he is a creator. It’s just <i>what</i> he does because that’s <i>who</i>
He is. God never stops creating. He
doesn’t wait until people are there to observe or admire the work of his hands.
Or to write about it in blogs <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> He just creates. All over the world, every
day, our God is weaving together masterpieces in the heavens. I suspect that some of the most beautiful
sunsets have probably occurred in places where no one was there to applaud. In
those occasions I just imagine the Holy Trinity, doing as they’ve done from the
beginning. Celebrating, communicating, and allowing their joy to spill out on
evening skies. The essence of the Christian life is being invited by Jesus,
into the joy that has been shared eternally by the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I offer two points I hope you will take away from this.</div>
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<span style="font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> 1. </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Applaud a
July Sunset or Two.</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> This summer stop and applaud a few sunsets.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Make a point to go out to the beach at sunset
with the purpose of worshiping. With your feet in the sand and the evening
breeze blowing, read this:</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Psalm 19:1-6 </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim
the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after
night they reveal knowledge. 3 <b>They have no speech, they use no words; no
sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out </b>into all the
earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a
tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of
his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises
at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is
deprived of its warmth.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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And when the sun dips into the Gulf of Mexico transposing
the evening sky, just marvel and clap. Be sure to clap.<br />
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></b>
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. God is
Painting You … a Picture</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">. God is a creator and he makes beauty out of
unlikely mediums.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">No matter what this
summer season finds you going through, know that God has his hands in the paint
of your life.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">And he will, if you let
him, create beauty out of all of the good, bad, mundane of your life. Our God
is love and our God creates. Those two together make for a pretty cool picture!</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a blessed and enjoyable July!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You are Loved,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Pastor Terry<o:p></o:p></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-49655800228397240272016-06-07T16:55:00.002-04:002016-06-07T16:59:39.907-04:00Honey, We Finally Graduated Elementary School!<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we graduated elementary school. We had been there for
14 years, in 3 states and 5 different primary schools. Here's to you Atlantic Shores, Landstown, Clear Creek, Dennis, and Brooker Creek! My wife and I have
posted hundreds of art pieces to our fridge, stuck mascot stickers on our cars,
signed and returned permission slips, walked marathons to and from the
bus stops, and volunteered at field days and class parties. We’ve attended countless talent
nights, concerts, parent-teacher conferences, and fund raising events. Today we
have moved the tassel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today JT, our youngest, graduated from 5<sup>th</sup> grade. This
means the era that began with our first daughter in 2002, has now come to a
close. The elementary years are complete. We, along with him, have graduated. </div>
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Thank you to all the outstanding principles, teachers, assistants, coaches, and administrators who invested in our kids at their most vulnerable ages. We may not remember all of your names, but we will never forget the impact you made! </div>
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Thank you elementary school, it was even better
than when we did it ourselves!<o:p></o:p></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-29155860397113161392016-05-19T15:28:00.001-04:002016-05-19T15:28:43.325-04:00Skip the Dip<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First, thank you Baysiders for your faithful financial support of our mission to see <i>more
people become more like Jesus</i>! As of this writing, giving has been over
budget 11 out of the past 12 weeks! If you’re new to Bayside, curious why this a is bid deal, or just want to
be reminded of the inspiration behind this move of God, go to the website
(baysidechurch.net) and watch the “The Blessed Life” series. Without question,
that series continues to be used by God to inspire and bless our church family. Let’s pray this upward giving trend continues through the summer and we <b>skip the dip. </b>That would be a miracle!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And here’s why. Summer is a unique season in the life of
the church. While there is a lot of ministry going on with camps, trips,
outreaches, special worship services and fellowships, it tends to be a time
when worship attendance and giving take a dip.
That dip is compounded in Florida because our part-year members head
back north for the summer. Let’s pray and commit ourselves to continue strong
through the summer in our giving and our attendance in worship. <b>So let’s skip the dip!</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Speaking of worship, I’d like to offer a few ways you can
invest over the summer months in yourself so that you don’t experience a summer
spiritual dip.</span></span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Find a
Spot</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, in a message on worship I mentioned that
one of the most important things we can do for our spiritual lives is to
identify a spot where we meet regularly with God. Do you have a spot? If not, this summer, identify that place that
will be the place where you will worship, pray, and read the Word of God. I’ve had many ‘spots’ over the years. But the
spot that is my ‘spot’ for the past 3 months or so has been a picnic table at
John Chestnut park. This park is right on my way to work in the morning, so I
exit out of the southbound traffic and find this little table by the lake. And
there I read the Scripture, talk to Jesus, and just ‘be’ in the presence of
God. Your spot may not be at a park; it
may not even be outside at all. It may be in a recliner, or at kitchen table,
or kneeling bench. It’s your spot so it can be anywhere you (and God) want it
to be.</span></span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pick a
Book and Hit “Repeat”</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pick a book of the Bible and hit “repeat.” For me, my book
this summer will be Proverbs. Short books in the New Testament work well for
this too. Instead of trying to read through several books of the Bible, just
pick one and read it through several times through the summer. Pick a book like Proverbs, or Colossians, or
one of the Gospels and seek to read it through a couple of times over the next
several weeks. I think you will find this to be an incredibly enriching
process. Think of the books of the Bible like 66 friends. Picking one book to
read over and over is like spending extended quality time with one friend,
instead of a few minutes with a bunch of friends. You will get to know and
understand the book, the author, and ultimately God on a more intimate basis.</span></span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Learn from
a Godly Person.</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pick a
godly person, living or dead and listen to their biography on audio book (or read
it.) While you’re sitting on the porch, deck or beach towel, take a biography
with you. Reading the life journeys of people of faith can be an incredibly
inspiring and challenging exercise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If we
apply these three simple things over the summer, we just may find come
September that our spiritual life has skipped the dip. Instead of a lull, we may
find it has actually heated up over the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Praying
that you will experience sacred moments of relaxation and refreshing this summer.
And don’t forget the sunscreen! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-52635583492637232582015-12-01T16:02:00.000-05:002015-12-01T16:02:31.364-05:00Christmas Forget List<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0rszmX6EQpQf2gCH4Df5ijyELD2SLzP7ooMj92WzovCcwIXIy5Y3dt3VhrSysiy5w6QYLuk4ZMIniSBPeTAPjInI5Bv2MpfPQFM_UWMv388S3Tw1y2_40NK8yWmgIdCcLfX1aQ/s1600/Christmas-list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0rszmX6EQpQf2gCH4Df5ijyELD2SLzP7ooMj92WzovCcwIXIy5Y3dt3VhrSysiy5w6QYLuk4ZMIniSBPeTAPjInI5Bv2MpfPQFM_UWMv388S3Tw1y2_40NK8yWmgIdCcLfX1aQ/s200/Christmas-list.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I</span></span><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">f we aren’t careful, </span><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas can become all about remembering. Excessively so. List makers have already started prioritizing the ‘to dos.’ </span><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-0148af1f-5f4d-c51a-736c-22f4bbdc99bb" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Here’s just a partial list of lists.</span></span></div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember everyone on the gift list</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember all the correct times and dates of the Christmas parties</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember uncle Joe's birthday that is the week before Christmas </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember to watch </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a Wonderful Life</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">White Christmas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Christmas Vacation</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charlie Brown Christmas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Christmas Story</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miracle on 34</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Street</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. (And remember not to fall asleep or it doesn’t count). </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember to bring a dish to share at the Church dinner</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember to put cookies out for Santa and hang the stocking. </span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The pressure at Christmastime to remember is real. So at this Advent season, I’m going to suggest we forget something. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forget trying to make it perfect</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Aim for meaningful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Christmas started out so simple. Now when you hear simple, don’t think simple in the sense of tastefully perfect. No Jesus’ birth was simply…chaotic! We can’t forget this. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Now I not advocating for chaos. However, what I’m about to share with you may be the best news you’re going to hear this Christmas. Fact: the birth of Jesus was total chaos. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Our Chaos times Three</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9m3_NvBqLcAxMn17jWN-c1Nt7aj9JWmwo2OVuZXNn3ShQGpaFBDy1Zg9qcgBSpMJ-i9zovZziQ8XJJh-lvybaxP4W-FBnU0zgomi078U9AmQTvoCnmmOT6hR3mv1up4ku93yWw/s1600/christmas+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9m3_NvBqLcAxMn17jWN-c1Nt7aj9JWmwo2OVuZXNn3ShQGpaFBDy1Zg9qcgBSpMJ-i9zovZziQ8XJJh-lvybaxP4W-FBnU0zgomi078U9AmQTvoCnmmOT6hR3mv1up4ku93yWw/s200/christmas+tree.png" width="200" /></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Kristy and I have had three children (well, Kristy had them, I just chauffeured and cheered). And in each case when it was time for delivery, it ushered in an intense period of chaos. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">First child when the time of delivery was near we were at JC Penney’s on a Friday night browsing through menswear. “Terry it’s time to go,” Kristy said. Naively I responded, “But I want to try this shirt on.” “No,” she said “it’s time to go!” Chaos. Running, Wheel Chairs. Hazard lights. Speeding. Squealing tires. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Second child. Middle of January. There’s a snow storm outside and the whole family has the flu,. I’m laying comatose on the coach. Kristy comes down stairs with the verdict, “Terry it’s time to go.” “But I’m sick and it’s snowing,” I whimpered. “You want to deliver this baby?, she retorted. Out the door. 4x4. Balled up Klenex. Sliding. Mucinex. Freezing. Chaos.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Third child. Its 11 O’clock at night. Kristy and I are both just falling asleep. “It’s time to go.” When? “Right now!” Call the emergency baby sitter. Grab the bag. Out the door. Hazard lights. Speeding. Chaos.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus’ birth was chaotic too</span>. Let’s briefly recount the story. A pregnant Mary forced to take an involuntary journey. Unfamiliar surroundings. In an inn. Exposed to the elements with limited shelter. In a hectic overstuffed town. Exhausted from travel. Mary says, “It’s time!” Joseph asks, “Right now?” In a feeding trough. With the animals. God is born. A miracle set in chaos.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So my friend don’t fret when your Christmas doesn’t feel perfect. In those moments of Christmas chaos, remember you’re closer to how it was the night of Jesus’ birth. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Forget perfection and just remember Jesus.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>The whole thing is about him. If we forget Jesus we’ve forgotten everything. Even if we remember everything else! Christmas is not about how well the ham or turkey turns out. It’s not about getting this gift or giving that gizmo. It’s not even about having every chair at the table filled. Christmas is about God loving us perfectly by sending us His Son. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The coming of Jesus was the ultimate expression of God’s love for us because it’s one thing to be told something it’s quite a bit better to see it in action. In Scripture, the Old Testament prophets and writers told us that God loved us. That He had a special affection for you and me. And the righteous believed it without ever having seen God. But even they wondered. They must have wondered and doubted. Does God really loved us? Christmas (and Good Friday) is God’s answer; an answer that we could see. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The infant in the manger grew into the man who lived a perfect life and laid it down freely for you and me. All the while teaching us also how to love one another.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Praying a Merry Christmas for each of You!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.2; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">-Terry </span></span>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-42366517489518803272015-09-30T13:57:00.000-04:002015-10-02T11:40:22.551-04:00Tigers and Gators<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CS6xf7azL0q7UbeOa8YIYDhqlR289vcxv8KFNibZJeIa6xig8Q9fYZr-flnGzd5iwPGM2LbClcZUF6lVAf9n-blK4wz6cwc1sWtycE6TzrPJN_mDpNW23kOfohfGCcZTvy0AFQ/s1600/IMG_0647+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CS6xf7azL0q7UbeOa8YIYDhqlR289vcxv8KFNibZJeIa6xig8Q9fYZr-flnGzd5iwPGM2LbClcZUF6lVAf9n-blK4wz6cwc1sWtycE6TzrPJN_mDpNW23kOfohfGCcZTvy0AFQ/s320/IMG_0647+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Its college football season and I’m a big fan! Being
a Louisiana native, I’ve always rooted for the Purple and Gold; The Louisiana
State University Tigers.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My family and
friends all know how passionate I am about the Tigers. For those of you that have
worshiped on a Sunday at Bayside after a Tiger loss, all I can say is I’m
sorry. I’ve heard of kids that warn their parents about my sermons when (on
rare occasions) LSU loses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This very public knowledge of my deep affection for
LSU was the reason many became concerned when a few months ago, orange and blue
started showing up at my house. University of Florida colors started cropping
up, and even more alarming to some were the pictures on social media that clearly
showed me donning UF gear. You must know that this was of <b>grave</b> concern to my mother, who bleeds purple and gold. If these
pictures were true she was sure I was sick and in immediate need of a mental
health professional. Or perhaps her son (that was practically brought home from
the hospital as a baby in a LSU onesie) was the victim of some hoax, a joke,
and cruel prank. No son of hers would be
caught wearing any other colors, than that of the Bayou Bengals, right? Even
some of my friends seemed puzzled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So folks are looking for answers. Or as Ricky
Ricardo would say on the “I Love Lucy Show,” I’ve got some <i>splainin’ </i>to do. As several of
you know my oldest daughter is a college freshman at the University of
Florida. And this has had a strange
effect on me, in terms of team allegiance.
Now I will always be a Tigers fan, and I still am the most passionate
about LSU football. But I began to notice about 6 months ago a strange warming
to the Gators. As I saw the desire in her to go to UF, and then to eventually
get accepted there, to now living in Gainesville a fondness rapidly began to
grow. Now it was a process. It took me a few months to get the nerve to buy an
orange and blue shirt. It took me a few more months before I could actually
wear it. But now it’s good. And certainly after we started paying tuition
payments it got really easy! Chomp!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus once said that “<i>where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”</i> Our heart
follows our treasure, and our treasure follows our heart. This is true when it
comes to giving financially to the church. If we love the Kingdom of God, if our
heart is to advance the Kingdom’s cause, if our heart is to see more people become
more like Jesus, then our deposits will follow our heart. We will tithe and
make giving to the church a priority. The connection between treasure and heart
is also the reason why those that invest deeply in the church love the church
so deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This principle is illustrated in my new affection for
UF. A person I treasure dearly is there (my daughter) so my heart follows. My
support follows my heart. So now I have two college teams. I’m still passionate
about the Tigers, but now I </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">publicly</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> support the Gators as well. What you
might want to know is, what about when they play each other. Mom will be happy
about this… Geaux Tigers!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lord,
you have designed us so that our affections follow our treasures. And you have
blessed us with an ability to invest in things that matter to us. So please help
us to invest wisely, in people, in your Kingdom and in our church family.
Ultimately, it’s your church that we want to cheer on and empower to win. Amen” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-10667327366716963372015-08-25T17:03:00.002-04:002015-08-25T17:06:20.688-04:00College Move In Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz99_t6jryCjL-l7eB-Yj7NI7xHhF57O_WSu_nnNOX5r_-7WX52mJHskyId2QRk4fDqjvoAYbhjBC5bCM6pHWK08X5499j3EyeYx3rkCpaF3DrYwMRbPFU4JVhac4loIMBeRWSGQ/s1600/Rolens+at+UF+Dorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz99_t6jryCjL-l7eB-Yj7NI7xHhF57O_WSu_nnNOX5r_-7WX52mJHskyId2QRk4fDqjvoAYbhjBC5bCM6pHWK08X5499j3EyeYx3rkCpaF3DrYwMRbPFU4JVhac4loIMBeRWSGQ/s320/Rolens+at+UF+Dorm.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last week we moved our oldest daughter into her
college dorm room. Ok, yes we cried. But before the good-byes the day consisted
of going toe to toe with 5000 other highly emotional and over-protective
parents for dibs on command strips, extension cords, and reading lamps for our
babies!</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grappling for supplies was part
of the task, the other work was getting all the stuff up to the 4</span><sup style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
floor of her dormitory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At one point during the move in, I found myself
waiting in line for the elevator; a line that stretched from Gainesville to
Wesley Chapel. It has reminded me of a time when the same daughter was just a
toddler and then too, I waited in the same type of massive line, twice for
her. It was back when the </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Toy Story 2</i><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Movie was coming out on…ahhh…
VHS! The autumn of 2000, Toys R Us was allowing parents to pre-order the video to
ensure that our little darlings would have the videotape by Christmas. The holiday was just weeks away and the line
was long! In terms of popularity, </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Toy
Story 2 </i><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">was the year 2000’s version of </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Arial Narrow', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Frozen</i><span style="font-family: Arial Narrow, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.
I remember waiting for what seemed like three semesters in the line. By
securing my copy of this Disney animated classic, it was certain that my kid
would be able to fully celebrate the birth of Jesus. (Marketing works!) I paid
the money and started to leave the store when I realized they had under charged
me. Against the temptation to run, I went back to the customer service counter and
let them know I was undercharged about $10. They thanked me for my honesty, and
then kindly sent me to the rear of the line to do it all over again! And I did
it. I know, I was so </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">naive</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I stood in line for the dorm elevator my selfless
service done 15 years ago was made right.
You see, as I was waiting in the dorm line it was discovered that
Kasey’s room was actually on the other side of the building and accessed by a
different elevator! When we went to the other elevators there was not a soul in
line. We went right on, and in two uneventful trips we had everything moved in.
The Lord is faithful! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">James, the little brother of Jesus says, “Humble yourself in the sight of the
Lord and he will lift you up.” Of course, I’m just kidding about this being
some kind of repayment for faithfulness. But it is true that when we humble
ourselves, God takes notice. And we are promised that the Lord will lift up the
humble. It may not be today, but in due time the Lord will lift you up. As the
old preachers use to say, “God may not be on <i>your</i> time. But he is always <i>right</i>
<i>on</i> time!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lord,
help us to humble ourselves in your sight. Restrain us from the temptation to
exalt ourselves or to lift ourselves up.
We know that you are faithful. And may we find hope and strength today
in the fact that your timing is always perfect. We pray this in the name of,
and mindful of the one who humbled himself and was raised up right on time by
the power of God. Amen”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You are Loved,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial Narrow",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pastor Terry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-48451210104176797692015-07-01T12:22:00.002-04:002015-07-01T12:22:45.975-04:00A (Another) Baseball Refection<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So since baseball is still in full swing, and since yes I’m
still coaching and it’s July! And since I’m sentimental about my oldest
daughter going off to college. I thought I’d offer one more analogy from
American’s favorite pastime. A lot of
life lessons can be learned from baseball. Baseball teaches important morals such
as, “don’t ever give up”, “sometime we have to rely on our teammates”, and
learning that “failure doesn’t have to define you”. And even life itself can be
likened to rounding the bases on a baseball diamond.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First Base.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The early years of our lives are a lot like the
path from home plate to first base. It’s when we are the closest to home. In
those early years we are taught and instructed and have base coaches in the
form of parents and loved once close by to provide direction. Early in life we rely on their instruction
and help to get us started with the values and beliefs to prepare us for the rest
of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Second Base.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young adult time of life is a lot like the
trip from first to second base. We are a lot on our own, and it’s often a time
when we take risks. But if we aren’t careful, we can get picked off. And many
do. And when we are on second base we are the farthest from home. One Hundred
and twenty feet and 6 inches from home plate. It’s a long way, and we are on our
own. This is the college years, or life
in our 20s. The values of home seem so far
from there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Third Base.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if we are wise and with a little help, we
move toward third base. This is midlife, we are feeling more confident. Home
gets closer. We have learned a lot and we have hopefully found our purpose and a sense of hope.
We dream of making this life count, and the desire to make it count grows in
us. We want our lives to show up on the scoreboard. So we seek to mentor, teach,
invest in others so that what we’ve learned can help others on the path.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Home.</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">S Eliot once wrote, “</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shall not cease from
exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we
started and know the place for the first time.</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">” That’s the path from third to
home. This is a journey to a familiar place. We find that we are getting closer
to the place where we began. A place where the values that got us started now
bring us home. Those final years of life are preparing us for home. Where God
is. Where Jesus is. From where our faithful love ones are standing to cheer us
on (Hebrews 12:1).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>“Jesus you told us that you are life’s Beginning
and End. You are the Alpha and the Omega. You’re the same yesterday, today, and
forever. Assure us today with the truth that, from home....down every path... and
back home again, You are there. Amen.”</i></span><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-3216641666967666572015-05-21T15:27:00.000-04:002015-05-23T20:53:19.626-04:00Wrestle (Pronounced: fes ul')<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXS0FVVJhpPN1-PvN-SZW3OoyCA2BmYV8sGG4TFSp77qDX05Tm1u5p4_iO1EHYCGvbP7Mhyphenhyphenl7XPn0GwouXJzferXTh-xUUk1PE-et__qglmflnrhD7OLNt9JdY723KM8tKMil-w/s1600/me+and+little+jt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXS0FVVJhpPN1-PvN-SZW3OoyCA2BmYV8sGG4TFSp77qDX05Tm1u5p4_iO1EHYCGvbP7Mhyphenhyphenl7XPn0GwouXJzferXTh-xUUk1PE-et__qglmflnrhD7OLNt9JdY723KM8tKMil-w/s320/me+and+little+jt.jpg" width="240" /></a>When my son was barely old enough to speak, he would grab my
hand pull me toward the living room floor with the word "<i>fes -ul</i>." In
his toddler language this was a close as he could get to properly saying the word, "wrestle." I would often oblige, crawling off the couch and onto my knees. As soon as I made myself shorter
than him, he would climb all over me trying to pin me. Surprise
rear attacks were his specialty. The problem with his surprise rear attacks though, was the "attack" was usually preceded by some growl or loud grunt. Thus, negating the surprise. Anyway, these periodic wrestling bouts continued as he
got older and stronger. With the passing months I would have to up my
game to ensure victory for both of us. Little boys love to wrestle with their dads. Here's
what I think about these bouts between father and son.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>
1. My son didn't really want to win.</b> Or to say it the other way, he
really wanted me to win. Now, I'm not saying he wasn't trying to win. I'm not
saying anything here about his competitiveness or will to win at all. He is
very competitive! But deep down he wanted his dad to be stronger than him. Every
little boy does. There is something incredibly reassuring about knowing that
someone in this world, that loves you, is stronger than you are. There is
something comforting in knowing that the biggest and closest male in your life
is seemingly (at least to a little guy) invincible. He really wanted me to win.
So I obliged :)<br />
<br />
<b>
2. Regularly wrestling with Dad provided benchmarks of his own growth and
strength.</b> Honestly, the older he gets the more it hurts. Because he is
getting stronger, and because time is no respecter of persons I know eventually
one day (when I'm 90) he'll beat me. But in the meantime each bout encourages
him, by showing that he's getting bigger and stronger. He is maturing
and this good. He is becoming more like his dad.<br />
<br />
<b>
God and Me</b><br />
Something in us knows that we are not the strongest force in our lives. We
know, deep down, someone's stronger. And we fight against him. But, if we are
honest, the little boy in all of us, really wants to know that our Father is
stronger than we are. And our willingness to fight him only illustrates our
desire to be more like him and to be reassured that He and his Strength are
still there. We want to know that there is One that is for us, and far stronger
than us. And that gives me courage. I like knowing my Dad's got my
back...always.<br />
<br />
As we grow physically and emotionally our struggles with Dad get more intense.
The intellectual, spiritual bouts we have with God over things we don't
understand or simply don't like, get more intense. But we should know God is
strong enough. He is good. He is strong. He is not intimidated by our 'fighting
back', rather he is encouraged by it because it shows that we are maturing. And
like any loving Father, that ultimate goal for all of his children is for them to grow
up strong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“Father, thank you for wrestling with us. Thank you for your
strength. The very strength (your strength) that we fight against is the strength
that, down deep, gives us courage and hope. Thank you that you are for us and
far stronger than us. You proved this though the power of your Son, and our
Lord, Jesus. Amen.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-14708135286177867982015-04-14T10:30:00.002-04:002015-04-14T15:26:56.153-04:00Jesus at Pinch a Penny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibyhkYk__IzwUCSzh0LRMfxbJp-6Nxbt38OGhvnZlDVr3t77kEES1bzaeeXNFkpG7HrpwkbzxSx9cmAZP0RxF3K5GCDqNwhBuhAirj-H5kVZMovZcegCZ_mpjfnPMNpy8IOAHg/s1600/Pinch+a+Penny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ibyhkYk__IzwUCSzh0LRMfxbJp-6Nxbt38OGhvnZlDVr3t77kEES1bzaeeXNFkpG7HrpwkbzxSx9cmAZP0RxF3K5GCDqNwhBuhAirj-H5kVZMovZcegCZ_mpjfnPMNpy8IOAHg/s1600/Pinch+a+Penny.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The Saturday
before Easter, in an effort to burn off some pre-Easter jitters, I decided to clean out my pool filter from its winter muck. I'm no Bob Vila, so somehow I clumsily knocked the filter into the chlorinator piercing one of the hoses. A spear of water instantly began stabbing my face!
Trying to see through the chlorinated water drops tumbling in and in front of my eyes, I
blindly reached over to inspect (stick my finger in?) the leak. When I did the
whole valve broke into what seemed like a thousand pieces.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCVwc7pLNGVV5AH42OgV6QWHUBDgd-x5YkSmwK7hVsVgrbTDICXleDVEysns47TxvnPJLZLu7P2EC20HoBKxv3BO1F24eesMW11p7CrAp3YU8XsMcmJ-MAoT5cIai6D1r3koBEg/s1600/cholinator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCVwc7pLNGVV5AH42OgV6QWHUBDgd-x5YkSmwK7hVsVgrbTDICXleDVEysns47TxvnPJLZLu7P2EC20HoBKxv3BO1F24eesMW11p7CrAp3YU8XsMcmJ-MAoT5cIai6D1r3koBEg/s1600/cholinator.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAwPhev0-f4tB2VbpnAsNfXftsw_1HaGFDwWOHJHeyp9rOS9jHThOQFl-v82dbskcOq1B_F7hIf5-72-C0SrJf2SsAb2125_sCw7lSqy4xND112sRawriLRVYcA_VCBioESy9-g/s1600/chlorinator+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAwPhev0-f4tB2VbpnAsNfXftsw_1HaGFDwWOHJHeyp9rOS9jHThOQFl-v82dbskcOq1B_F7hIf5-72-C0SrJf2SsAb2125_sCw7lSqy4xND112sRawriLRVYcA_VCBioESy9-g/s1600/chlorinator+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></span></a><span style="color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">So I
turned the water off, collected the fragments and drove to Pinch - a – Penny (pool
supply store). Let me say parenthetically, that the East Lake Pinch a
Penny has the most incredible customer service in the entire galaxy.
They are just a great people. Always incredibly helpful, and most endearing they never make customers feel like idiots. Despite my high admiration of them, on that day I was sure
that when I walked in the door with my two hands full of hoses, plastic chips,
springs, valves, and Teflon they were going shake their heads and send me to "new pool sales".</span><br />
<br /><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">But here
is what actually happened. I walked in the store still damp from the </span><span style="font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 14.5666675567627px;">over-spray</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">, holding
the pieces, and feeling like a dog that had an accident. I didn't have a clue
where to start with putting this back together. An employee met me at the door,
took a glance at my pieces and said, "Yes, I know exactly what you need.
No problem. Follow me and we will get your chlorinator (that’s where I learned
the word) fixed right up." And in 15 minutes he did exactly that. He
took me to a work bench and starting distinguishing the pieces that could
salvaged from the ones that had to be replaced or were missing completely. He
put it back together and described what would be required when I got home to
get the chlorinator back in working order. I stood there (still soaked now with
a little shiver) but amazed. And for $9 and about 45 minutes of work the
chlorinator was put back together.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s
why I say, I saw Jesus at Pinch a Penny. My problem seemed big and overwhelming to
me. But routine, even simple to a person who has seen these kinds of things
before. I also noticed how quickly my anxiety and frustration subsided when
someone identified my problem and confidently promised to help.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">That
sounds like Jesus. Jesus looks at our broken pieces, some we are responsible
for some were are not, and he says to us, "I know exactly what you need.
I've seen this 1,000s of times before and I can salvage (save) it."
I hope you will be reminded today, as I am to never fear bringing handfuls of
broken pieces to Him. Because Jesus knows this stuff, and he is a master restorer.</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">"Father,
thank you for Jesus who has a work bench where lives are lovingly and
masterfully restored. We are amazed that through Him and his Cross, love
and hope now flow effortlessly through our lives. Living Water. In Me. Miracle.
Amen."</span></i></span><o:p></o:p>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-myaDtCrm4hk%2FVS0hn4eWWzI%2FAAAAAAAAAGs%2Fl4ORpOQz8iI%2Fs1600%2Fchlorinator%252B2.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvAwPhev0-f4tB2VbpnAsNfXftsw_1HaGFDwWOHJHeyp9rOS9jHThOQFl-v82dbskcOq1B_F7hIf5-72-C0SrJf2SsAb2125_sCw7lSqy4xND112sRawriLRVYcA_VCBioESy9-g/s1600/chlorinator+2.jpg" -->Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-78981602657904762092015-03-02T12:51:00.003-05:002015-03-02T16:18:59.300-05:00Christ, Our Pinch Hitter<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I sit writing this, its just a
few days before the opening day of my son's little league season. This is great time
of excitement as the new season begins and the hopes of a winning season and
tournament championships are still very much alive for every team. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a former life I played in a
church softball league. We were not very good, so our championship hopes usually
were over by the fifth game of the season (at the latest). We had a lot of fun
though. One of the funny things that happened was one time when one of the best
hitters on our team smacked the ball really well. I mean he crushed it.
In fact, to our
duffer-league disbelief he hit it so
hard it cleared the fence. Duffers don't
hit many home runs! And certainly not our team! So we were all going
into hysterics over this out of the park home run. The funny part
is everyone knew the ball was out of the park except the batter. He ran as fast as he could all the way
around the bases with people yelling to him. They
were yelling to slow down, but he misinterpreted the noise as a prod to run
harder. It wasn't until he crossed home plate that he realized there was
no need to run so hard. “Wait...It was over the fence?” he asked with winded speech. While the work was done to enjoy the trip, he ran like it
all depended on his "lightening" speed. His, once-in-a-duffer's-life
moment, lasted all of half a minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right now, we are in the middle of
the season of Lent. It is period of time Christ -followers traditionally slow
down to reflect on what Jesus purchased for us on the cross. It's a time,
before opening day (Easter) to slow down. Walk slowly. So maybe today, maybe right now, God
is telling you to slow down. Consider and enjoy what He has done for you through
the cross and resurrection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I could relate it to baseball,
here's the miracle victory he has given to us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this high stakes game of life
we were in the ninth inning of a losing battle with sin and death. We faced an
0-2 count with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. All of creation stood on
tip toes as out of the dugout came God's appointed pinch hitter (God always
bats last). We stepped aside and He pinch hit for us. And on that dark Friday
the game would be decided. Satan unleashes his fury. Creation, as spectators in the stands, held
its breath....then let out a roaring cheer when the Champion saw the pitch,
timed the pitch, swung and crushed it. And out of the park it went! Then instead of
running the bases himself, he looked at you and me declaring, "This was for
you. This is your victory. Enjoy the trip around the bases." Jesus' defeat
of death through resurrection was the sealing of victory to all who believe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've put your faith in
Christ, you’re salvation has been purchased. You've got a free trip around the
bases. Why then do we make life so difficult? Why do we rush around? Why do
live and struggle with God's amazing gift of salvation like it all depends on
our effort. It doesn't.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing you do could ever make God love you any more than he
already does. Don’t wait till you get to heaven to breathe in his joy and
delight for you. The hardest work has already been
done by Jesus. So breathe, soak in the jog around the bases. Enjoy the victory
that is yours through Christ.</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lent 2015</span></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-14195345264736887862014-07-31T14:32:00.001-04:002014-07-31T14:57:46.406-04:00August We will Pray Hopefully<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.kstiv4ixy8u4"></a><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">"<i>I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who
plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth</i>"
(1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV). </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">With these words The Lord reminds us that there is a
role we must play to grow God's kingdom, and there is a significant part that only
God can do. Humans plant and water. God makes it grow. We are praying for God
to do great things in this coming harvest season. So I am calling our church to prayer. </span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="h.olkxlpqq1gzb"></a><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">God has been stirring this
in me for a few months. As I have shared
this prompting with other pastors and elders they have confirmed they have felt
the same nudging. It’s time to focus and unite our prayers. So for the month of
August let’s pray together for Bayside.
The Back-to-School season will present some incredible opportunities to
strengthen our church family and to reach people with the gospel. But we need
God’s Spirit to lead, guide and make us fruitful. We will work hard at the
"planting and watering" but we need God to give the increase. We
desire God to show up mightily in our Sunday worship gatherings, in our
relationships and in our mission efforts. We want the Spirit to empower us to
be effective at our mission to see more people (the lost saved) become more
like Jesus (the saved grow).</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Adobe Caslon Pro, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> been spending some time this summer
thinking and reading about prayer…and of course praying. <b>I am discovering that one of the many
benefits of prayer is it gives optimism and squelches cynicism.</b> As followers of
Christ we are to give the hope of Jesus to the world. The challenge is we live in a
very cynical world. </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">You've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> undoubtedly noticed this. There is cynicism about
our government, about schools, about our employers, about co-workers, even
about church. We who are called to be hope to the world, can unwittingly find
that we have caught (and spreading) the cynicism bug ourselves. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Adobe Caslon Pro, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Here’s what I'm learning about cynicism.
The expectation of perfection breeds cynicism. In other words, believing we
must have perfect health, the perfect job, perfect relationships, perfect
appearance, perfect children, the perfect church, etc. is a breeding ground for
cynicism. We expect perfect. Crazy right? Because we know that <b>perfect is not
normal, imperfect is</b>. When we accept that people and things are not perfect but
are ‘broken-goods-being-restored,’ then we can be real, authentic and
accepting. Then we can be forgiving and
honest. </span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">I am praying our church will continue to
be a life giving seedbed of optimism and hope. The Spirit of Christ, accessed
through prayer, provides the lens to see the world clearly and hopefully.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">In the book, “A Praying Life” Paul Miller
offers these six cures for cynicism.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;">1.
Be warm but wary.</span><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Jesus
was ‘eyes wide open’ when it came to the brokenness in our world. He didn’t
pretend as if evil didn’t exist. Yet he was hospitable and embracing of others.
His posture was optimistic.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2.
Learn to Hope Again. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Miller
writes, “The cynic is fixed and immovable, the cynic believes we are swept
along by forces greater than we are.”
Jesus on the other hand, is all about hope. Jesus knows that through
prayer all things are possible. There is good reason to hope.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3.
Cultivate a Childlike Spirit. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Kids are not cynical. They
are hopeful. Playful. They believe anything is possible. It is significant that
Jesus told us to have that kind of faith. That is, childlike faith.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4.
Cultivate a Thankful Heart. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">Prayer restores a thankful
heart. The first sign that we are drifting from God is thanklessness. The sign
that we are drawing closer to God is an increase in our gratitude. The closer
we are to God the more grateful we are regardless the circumstances.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5.
Cultivate Repentance. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">The repentant person
recognizes that the cynicism out there, in the world, is also in my own heart.
Through repentant prayer I acknowledge my own brokenness and arrogance. Through
repentance I change. I can be authentic and hopeful.</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6.
Develop an Eye for Jesus. </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">This is the most effective
way to defeat cynicism and celebrate hope. Develop an eye for Jesus. Through
prayer and constant communication with Christ, we are made aware of the
activity of Jesus all around us. When we look closely, with spiritual sight, we
see Jesus at work. </span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">So I invite you to participate in this
prayer journey. Pray for Bayside. Pray
for one another. Pray every day. Each day we will have different prayer focus.
Let’s join together in prayer and as we do I believe God will do immeasurably
more than we could ever ask or imagine! Let’s pray hopefully!</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif;"><b>To Participate</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">1. Pick up a Prayer Calendar</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Adobe Caslon Pro', serif; font-size: large;">
for August (available at church). </span></div>
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<b>2. Visit Bayside Facebook page and/or
Twitter feed for Daily Updates</b>. Each day at 8:00am, starting August 3, a
prayer focus for that day will be posted. </span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">3. Pray with a childlike spirit</span></b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">. </span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">4. See God show off. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">5. Share your God - Stories.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Narrow"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Narrow";">
There will be a link at www.baysidechurch.net to share your stories of how and
where you see God at work. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Caslon Pro","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-54884694025478878972014-06-02T06:00:00.000-04:002014-06-02T06:00:07.728-04:00They Warned us not To, but We Did<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of
wisdom. Psalm 90:12</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m glad it’s over. I don't like the month of May. My
apologies to all the May birthdays and anniversaries. But I haven’t liked it
for a while now. Ok, to come clean it's not really the month. It’s me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Those that know me best know that I'm kind of sentimental.
And from four decades of existence I can testify that sentimental and May don't
mix. May in the USA is the time of year for endings. Graduations, year-end
parties, conclusions. And we 'feeling' types, love beginnings but not too jovial
about endings. Like this year, my daughter will stop being an 11th grader (I’m
in denial that this begins her last year of High School). My other daughter ends
her middle-school days this month. And my son, well we’ve got him for a while! In
May kids graduate and many families prepare for summer moves. There are a lot
of good-byes in May.<o:p></o:p></div>
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May is the time of year we realize we did it. We were warned
to be careful not to, but we did it. We
blinked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Young parents are warned by empty nesters and grandparents, “don’t
blink because before you know it your kids will be grown.” So few of us really
take it serious, and even if we do there frankly isn’t much we can do to stop
it. We all blink. Each May we reopen our eyes to discover time has flown. They
are grown. That’s why I don’t like May.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To further torture my sentimental personality (or perhaps a clear
confirmation of it), I downloaded an app for my iPhone recently called Legacy.
To set it up you enter you children’s ages and it counts down (in weeks, days,
hours, minutes, seconds) how much time you have left with each child until they
turn 18. (The weeks remaining as of today is 47 for Kasey, 151 for Kelly, 412
for JT). It’s a constant reminder that
the time for investing in my children is limited and relatively small. With my
app, I can know just how long the blink is. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The truth is our time for investing in anything that matters
is limited-whether it spiritual, relational or even financial. When it comes to
making a difference, investing over time makes the greatest impact. So maybe I
shouldn’t hate the month of May. Maybe I should be thankful for it. Because
it’s a yearly reminder that time matters. Love matters. And love… over time
changes both of us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“Lord, thank you for the gift and the opportunities of time.
Help us to invest it well…in people and in purposes that matter. For the glory
of your Son’s great name. Amen.</i>” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-34180156946015345422014-05-28T16:21:00.000-04:002014-05-28T21:21:25.599-04:00More People more Like Jesus? Of course!<div class="text" style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><h2><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More People more Like Jesus? Of course!</span></h2><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's just some of why...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>No</b> life ever lived on this planet has been so influential in the affairs of men as that of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Through</b> (Jesus) millions of people have had their inner conflicts <b>resolved</b>.</span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Through</b> (Jesus), hundreds of millions have been <b>lifted from illiteracy</b> and ignorance and have been placed upon the road of growing <b>intellectual freedom</b> and control over the physical environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Jesus</b>…. has done more to allay the physical ills of disease and famine than any other impulse, and (Jesus) has emancipated millions from chattel slavery and millions of others from thralldom to vice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>(Jesus</b>) has protected tens of millions <b>from exploitation.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>(Jesus)</b> has been the most fruitful source of movements to <b>lessen the horrors of war</b> and to put the relations of men and nations on the <b>basis of justice and peace.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="text"><br></div><div class="text" style="z-index: 0;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>This is the influence of Jesus</b> through his followers .... </span></div><div class="text" style="z-index: 0;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="text" style="z-index: 0;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- taken from Kenneth Latourette's seven-volume history of the expansion of Christianity. </span></div></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-17651288123285570612014-04-29T10:34:00.000-04:002014-04-30T14:18:03.588-04:00Without It We Sink<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boat was sinking.
I vividly recall an occasion from my childhood when our family had been invited by
close friends to join them for a day out on Vermilion Bay. We all
boarded the ski boat anticipating a fun day of sunning, skiing and going fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all the gear, coolers and people were on board the
Mercury outboard quickly seasoned the air with an oil/gas exhaust. As we ‘no
waked’ our way to open water the back of the boat began to droop. Rapidly it got
worse. We were sinking. Someone forgot to put the drain plug in. Good news is we didn't die.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truthfully, sometimes as a pastor I feel like the person who
has to ask the obvious question before the recreational outing. Most of my ministry could be summed up with
this phrase “Hey my friend, not to be a bother, but did you put the plug in
this boat?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVUpOjAwWHY5boP-xrcPrDzZowXnNWZsLlLSo92p-2y_qdebAwB5_UIcfp38mjD-L9LIRcDkv-356X1Wdpmi6cZFrfENuskd69uhxSIMAOuU4xU8h0tL94hkxMEW4y0e1Kj4ihA/s1600/plug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVUpOjAwWHY5boP-xrcPrDzZowXnNWZsLlLSo92p-2y_qdebAwB5_UIcfp38mjD-L9LIRcDkv-356X1Wdpmi6cZFrfENuskd69uhxSIMAOuU4xU8h0tL94hkxMEW4y0e1Kj4ihA/s1600/plug.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><b>I get it.</b> </span>This question is in one sense annoying and inconvenient.
Sometimes it comes across to some even as insulting. Because frankly it’s so basic. When our
thoughts are on the bigger adventures and challenges of life, no one wants to
be bothered with the ‘plug.’ A self-assured, experienced captain might be
insulted by such a novice (nagging) question. But if
the drain plug isn't in, and no one asks the question, then the boat ALWAYS sinks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Spiritual equivalent to “is the plug in the boat” is “Is
God first in your life.” And I know the question gets annoying to people. It’s
so basic. It’s so redundant. But if someone isn’t tending to this question then
the boat - your life, your family, your attempts at happiness - sink. Like the
open hole left in the boat with no plug, so is the life that avoids addressing
this deepest, ok… simplest, of life’s questions. “Is God first?” If God isn’t
first, at all times, life starts to take us under.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here are three really cools things about putting God
first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">1. God has a way for
you to go.</span></b> He has a plan for our lives; a story that is being written by
him. When he is first we are led to experience the deepest joys and adventures
of life. We are led to know Him, ourselves, others, and our world better!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">2. God promises to
keep you afloat.</span></b> When God is first He
promises to go with us. He not only points the way, he walks the path with us. God walks
with us, wiling do the heaviest of lifting for us. Our God helps us through each and every
chapter of life keeping us upright and moving ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">3. God’s way is the
best way.</span></b><span style="color: blue;"> </span> God not only has a way, he
has the best way. His way is the path the leads to fullness of life. There is
no other path that delivers on that promise. God’s way is the best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So let’s keep asking each other, “Is God first?” I find that
when mine, or a friend’s life, is in a mess it can always be traced back to a
point when someone forgot the plug. God stopped being first. The boat started
sinking. No one asked the question so pretty soon we’re bobbing around waiting
for the life saver to be thrown to us. If only someone had the courage to ask
the obvious question, “Is God still First.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we begin these summer months of adventure on land, air and sea allow me to bother you once more with
the insulting, fundamental question…. Is God still first in your life? I trust
and pray the answer is ‘yes.’</span><br />
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</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Lord thank you for leading us down the best path of life. Forgive us
when we have put other things before you and your ways. We acknowledge that
without you we sink, always. Thank you,
that in your mercy and grace you have saved us time and again. Today we put you
first. Please help us to always keep you first - in our lives, in our family, in our church. Amen.”</span></i></div>
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-89158868960318444692014-04-15T13:16:00.000-04:002014-04-15T14:40:41.539-04:00Dear Bayside Family<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
Baysiders, I invite you to join me in doing these three things this week.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;">1. I'm praying.</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm praying for you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and I'm praying for those friends you
and I will invite to worship with us this weekend. It is going to be an
UNFORGETTABLE Easter at Bayside!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm also praying for all the
other churches and pastors who will be sharing the gospel of Jesus to filled
churches Sunday. I'm praying for Harborside, Calvary, Countryside Christian,
Heritage, Generations, Grace Family, and every church I drive by. Would you
pray for them too? These are not our competitors but our teammates. They win,
we win!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;">2. I'm Inviting.</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm inviting my friends to church
and I'm expecting great things.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>We
are going the extra mile this year to ensure your invited guests have a great
experience. So you can be confident your friends will be glad they came and
you'll be glad you took the risk to invite them. So bring your <span style="color: #f9cb9c;">p</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">e</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">e</span><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">p</span><span style="color: #b4a7d6;">s</span> to Bayside.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e06666;">3. I'm Preparing.</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In preparation for the joy of
Easter we will be having a special Good Friday worship experience. The service
will last one hour and begins at 7:00. It will be a solemn, interactive and
reflective time of worship.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the past several days I've been
praying and thinking over Matthew 28:8 as the basis for the Easter message-
"<i>Departing quickly from the (empty) tomb with FEAR and GREAT JOY, they
ran to tell His disciples the news</i>." I'm really looking forward
to talking about this. I won't give the whole message here but....spoiler alert... it has to do
with the Resurrection of Jesus!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ready? Together we go to the Cross and Empty
Tomb.</span></div>
<br />
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-19148253025557356802014-02-25T11:10:00.002-05:002014-02-25T11:59:53.958-05:00Everyone’s a Bit of a Fixer Upper<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8RGeD0jcVRq7nv6MMZJLxjtXJZ5BOKRT0-zshzPWsvKED64zOKEPWYAbq3JCXQkQ5Rs1P_ylKmTvrYSIGs8rEvlrPpXlAbyo5iG0Daeur7J8l0IqoTfJjl9uK9RnRsyhws8BAg/s1600/sentra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8RGeD0jcVRq7nv6MMZJLxjtXJZ5BOKRT0-zshzPWsvKED64zOKEPWYAbq3JCXQkQ5Rs1P_ylKmTvrYSIGs8rEvlrPpXlAbyo5iG0Daeur7J8l0IqoTfJjl9uK9RnRsyhws8BAg/s1600/sentra.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We went to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQm5doF_Uc" target="_blank">Frozen</a> in 3D as a
family. I liked it. Please don’t judge me. The tunes from the movie have taken
the kid world by storm. I can understand why. They’re catchy. Turns out one
song in particular has pretty solid theology too, “</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwqTmKUvXhA" target="_blank">Everyone’s a Bit of a Fixer Upper</a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">.” It is true, no one is perfect, and
everyone needs some fixin’ up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1991 Fixer Upper<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So my daughter is driving now and we purchased an
old car from a friend. The car had not just a couple of quirks with it. Which,
in my opinion, all first-cars must have some "personality". It builds character.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The vehicle is a </span><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3rd-Nissan-Sentra-sedan.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%;">1991 Nissan Sentra</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">. It has a few “distinctives.” For
example, there is a wooden shim in one of the rear </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">door</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> panels keeping the window
from collapsing into the door. And like a stuck zipper, the passenger
front window only partially closes. The paint is dulled like powder, the radio
transmits only static, and all the speakers in the car are falling apart. I
know what you’re thinking…sucker! So why did we buy it? We bought it partially
to help out a friend who was moving, partly because we needed a car, but
mostly because it had low mileage and was cheap!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Over the past week this little sedan has become my
project. First thing I did was </span><span style="line-height: 14.949999809265137px;">resuscitate the red by</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> scrubbing, compounding and polishing it. Next the stereo had to go. Along with the </span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=cassette+tape&tbm=isch&imgil=83XveA4LRJ5XmM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcQn2Cum5-RG0Da10Xclzn1to3tjRqUJs8ocMv8LdvXeRIw_xOb0Ww%253B2567%253B1684%253BiYlytGbAekzmsM" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%;">cassettetapes</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> this deck was ready for the museum. Though
I </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">hadn't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> installed a car radio since </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%;">President Reagan’s</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">
second term, after a little help from youtube and a few blown fuses, cha ching…success!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Next came time to tackle the issues I was most
afraid of. The windows! This was totally uncharted territory for me. So I
turned again to Prof. Google for a diagnosis and instructions.
I discovered that it was the switch, the </span><a href="http://www.tomsforeign.com/popup.aspx?src=images/product/large/225611_1_.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%;">regulator</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">
and/or the </span><a href="http://www.am-autoparts.com/Nissan/Sentra/WindowMotors/AM-3896645936/671155.html?utm_campaign=gb_csv_nobr&utm_content=WPM&gclid=CNiDsunJ57wCFahj7Aodi2kA0Q" target="_blank"><span style="line-height: 115%;">motor</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;">. I ordered the four necessary replacement parts
to fix both windows. I was told the parts would be in the next day, Saturday.
“Perfect,” I thought! The car would be out of commission for only a day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, when I went to pick up the parts the next
day I discovered we ordered the wrong motors. (Here's the good-news-camouflaged-as-bad-news-part-of-the-story. Garth Brooks sung about <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xohixl_garth-brooks-unanswered-prayers_music" target="_blank"><b>this</b></a>). So we had to reorder them. The
bad news was the motors would now not be in until Tuesday! When I got back home
I decided to go ahead install what new parts I had. And, just for kicks, I put
the old motors back on. Unbeknown to me, all the parts needed I had. Long story
short- (good news) the old motors were fine and all four windows now work perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">So here are some fixer upper lessons </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">I've</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> learned
from the 1991 Sentra, and from 20 years in pastoral ministry and from being
married.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1.
Fixer Uppers have little, and not so little, Quirks<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all have issues. Some of them are easily
repaired, but some of them will take some work. That is why we all must lean
heavily on the grace, mercy and cleansing work of Christ. He is working to
perfect us.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2. Someone has to be willing to invest in a fixer
upper to bring out its potential</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are all fixer uppers, but it takes someone who
will see our potential to invest in us and bring out the best in us. Jesus did
that for you and me. That is why he came to world. He came to redeem us, and to
release us from the power of sin, to experience abundant life. In your life there may be a fixer upper that
needs your attention. It may be someone under your roof, on your little league
team, in your classroom, or in your company.
You could be the ‘someone’ God will use to bring out the full potential
in a fellow fixer upper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. A Fixer
Upper’s Good Parts are often overlooked because of the Broken Parts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s true, we all have quirks and we all have
weaknesses. But all of us, fixer uppers, also have some pretty amazing gifts
and talents. Don’t allow the broken parts in you to negate your strengths. Nor
in others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. A Fixer Upper is Never Finished<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fixer upper is always a fixer upper. There are
always improvements and modifications to be made. That 1991 will never look
like it did 23 years ago. Time in the sun and storms has taken its toll. But it
can be improved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">You and I will never be perfect until our
sanctification gives way to glorification in heaven. But we are thankful for
the Spirit of Christ that works with us, making us better than we were
yesterday. </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> you thankful that
Jesus came to redeem the potential in you?! </span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> you glad he specializes in fixer
uppers?! I am too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are Loved,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pastor Terry <span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-44157555863139126352014-01-28T11:11:00.001-05:002014-01-28T11:25:25.328-05:00The Kingdom of Heaven is like a Pastor whose house was struck by lightning…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztj8N-3g3kxDwTcb2h2c1JgNxVLrhi58dnVo1X7dNGrt2lAD1TL6f0Rt484B0PVHR4hsaHvzMZcbj8fNiquEcuullRPzZEkAtefW7UB9WiqERHC0avo4A_2VIkJz8sOgSHAf8wQ/s1600/moving+trucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztj8N-3g3kxDwTcb2h2c1JgNxVLrhi58dnVo1X7dNGrt2lAD1TL6f0Rt484B0PVHR4hsaHvzMZcbj8fNiquEcuullRPzZEkAtefW7UB9WiqERHC0avo4A_2VIkJz8sOgSHAf8wQ/s1600/moving+trucks.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luke 1:78 A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is a new day. The trucks are beginning to move our belongings back into our home. Since our house fire 6-months ago it has felt at times like I was living out some kind of a parable. If Jesus were telling the story he would begin it this way. The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pastor whose house was struck by lightning…</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’s what I’ve learned through living this parable. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Things are often worse than they first appear. Looking back it seems hilarious the way we were thinking the night of the fire. I mean we literally thought we would be back in the house in a day or two. No one told us that, call it coping, denial, or whatever but we actually thought we would clean the place up, patch a few holes and be back to life as normal in just a day or two.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What we discovered is that the more the walls got peeled back the more damage there was and the more work required to restore our home. Seriously, for the first month it seemed like we were receiving daily updates that things were ‘worse than we initially thought.’ By the time the peeking was done, it would be discovered that several roof trusses were compromised and must be replaced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know we are all damaged goods. Life has dinged us all. And it’s when we dig below the surface that we discover the real structure problem that exists. And it is deep within, for own safety, that the real work must take place. Things are often worse than they appear on the surface.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Hope of ‘Better’ helps when things get ‘Worse.’</b> Early on in the demolition of our house, even though we couldn’t visualize it (at least I couldn’t) we were promised that when the project was over our home would actually be better than before. Now, I can tell you when I first heard that I was like, I don’t want better I just want what we had. Just give me back what we had. In fact, if someone would have made this offer - Terry you can have ‘better’ in 6 months or ‘just like it was’ right now. I would have picked the ‘like it was (worse), but right now’ option. That is human nature. Most of us will choose familiar over better every time. That is why we need leaders, that is why we need God, (acts of God) to push us toward better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember vividly one day last fall when the dire reality of the situation hit me. It was in October and it had been a few days since I had been to check on the progress of the house. I remember opening the front door and everything was gone. No furniture, no dishes, no cabinets, no interior doors, no flooring, no walls! It then hit me… this is bad. I know. I’m sharp, right? But in a cascade of emotions the severity of what had happened and the enormous scope of the rebuilding project pounded me. Things were at their worst. It was the flickering promise of ‘better’ that brought light in my moment of darkness. When things look bad it is the hope of better that carries us through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Immanuel Kant, philosopher of a few centuries ago said that three keys to happiness are having something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. I think Kant is on to something there and we can’t underestimate the third, something to hope for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past several months, mirroring our house rebuild has been some significant rebuilding at Bayside too. Things have been good but God is calling us to great. And there were days over the past few months that things looked worse rather than better. The more we dug the worse it looked. Deep change and deep hurt. But it was the Holy Spirit whispering to us the promise of better that carried us forward. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Today there are moving trucks bringing our belongings back! </b> Today, things are better. The house is incredible! God has blessed us beyond what we could have imagined. Our house at Norris Way is better today in practically every way than it was before the fire. I’ve learned that the journey from good to great is actually one from good…to worse…to great. Most people quit when it gets worse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there will soon be moving trucks heading to Bayside bringing the dear Stamper family to us - Kevin, Marie, Jane and Oliver. We are so excited about adding the Stamper family to our ministry team. Pastor Kevin is great friend, a tremendously talented young leader that will be our Creative Arts Pastor. They will make us better! We are excited to welcome them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The smoke has cleared, the worst days are behind us, and we are moving toward awesome days ahead! A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful. Amen!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are Loved,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pastor Terry</span>Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-58674586399356336242013-10-31T13:38:00.000-04:002013-10-31T13:38:53.181-04:00Known and Counted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3zdeHjhguOm6DeH_sAOfKR3G4idpBxECGJfEJaO5FAmTHWpfCXCkTM49cLibxh2XHODrimL_gb_qFGRFsMS9OVWFImNoFkpIYdWsM5XQxWpGQEgvtE-dfN-i-pb9wL0SVBgnTg/s1600/electronic-speed-sign-225x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3zdeHjhguOm6DeH_sAOfKR3G4idpBxECGJfEJaO5FAmTHWpfCXCkTM49cLibxh2XHODrimL_gb_qFGRFsMS9OVWFImNoFkpIYdWsM5XQxWpGQEgvtE-dfN-i-pb9wL0SVBgnTg/s320/electronic-speed-sign-225x300.jpg" /></a></div>Back in the summer, I went out for a long bike ride. I had been riding for a while when I turned down a road with one of those digital signs that displays vehicle speed. You’ve seen those signs, right? It’s a speed limit sign that, through a radar beam, registers then flashes the speed of each car that passes by. If the vehicle is exceeding the posted speed limit, it will yell in pulsating yellow lights the words “SLOW DOWN!”<br />
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So one day last August I was peddling away when I looked up and the sign posted the speed of my bicycle. I was pretty excited about this. It caused a smile sweep across my sweaty red face. Mostly I was glad to know I was moving fast enough to be noticed. Right there, eight feet high in lights for the world to see my velocity, “14 MPH.” That was me. That was my speed. I was noticed. I was doing that! Ok I’m humored easily, but here are some principles to take away from this.<br />
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<b>1. Known.</b> <br />
It feels good to be known. I was humored by a speed limit sign that acknowledged my speed because frankly I didn’t expect it to. For a sign made to monitor motor vehicles, I didn’t figure a plumb peddler’s velocity would even make a blip. But it did. It saw me. It’s a powerful thing to be seen and to be known.<br />
You may feel sometimes that you are not noticed. You may even think that no one sees you or knows you. Perhaps there are moments when it seems like God doesn’t see you. I’ve met people that feel like that. They feel like a T-baller playing in the Big League. They feel as if no one notices what in their estimation is a miniscule contribution. It’s a game changer for a person when they realize that God does notice us. God knows us. God sees you.<br />
(Sin causes us to hide. Sin drives a person away from the God who sees. An example of this the story of the Fall in the Garden of Eden. Adam hid from God after he sinned. But God still saw. Acknowledging that God ‘sees and knows’ draws us out of condemnation into redemption and reconciliation.)<br />
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<b> 2. Counted.</b> <br />
When we know it counts we want to do more. <br />
A strange rush of adrenaline came over me when I saw my number displayed. I wanted to make the speed go up. When I saw that what I was doing was being noticed and displayed, I wanted to turn that “14” into a “15.” When I saw that it counted I wanted to do more. And I did.<br />
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I truly believe that one of most de-motivating things in life is to be busy with matters that we feel are insignificant. Nothing takes the passion out of an activity like realizing (or feeling like) it doesn’t ultimately matter. It has been said that one of the three major characteristics of a miserable job is insignificance. A job, activity, or ministry begins to feel miserable when it seems futile.<br />
On the flip side of that, what energize any volunteer or vocational effort is to know that what you’re doing is making a difference. And like my bicycle speed, when we see that it is noticed a motivation deep within propels us to do more.<br />
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So, today I hope this note serves as a reminder (a digital display of sorts) that you are known and what you do counts. You are deeply loved by God and all that is done as “unto the Lord” counts.<br />
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Ancient Israel, who at one time was held captive to by an evil Babylonian oppressor, was given this great promise that they were known and mattered so much to God that he promised to sustain them. Isaiah 46:4 “Even in your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”<br />
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You’re known. You matter. You are loved.<br />
Pastor TerryTerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-36802578421495623292013-07-25T13:04:00.002-04:002013-07-25T13:04:53.817-04:00Slight Adjustments Make a Big DifferenceRunning has been a fitness hobby of mine for years. Cycling not so much. Until recently. Last February, I pulled the old mountain bike off the rack and started peddling. It stuck. So for Father’s day, I got a new road bike. With rekindled motivation (and monetary investment) I’ve been pushing through new distance thresholds. All of these have been firsts for me in the past three months: 10 miles, 20 miles, 30 miles and just last week 37 miles. <br />
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I’m energized by jumping into a new pursuit, getting introduced to and experimenting with new gear and gadgets. Even my vocabulary has been expanded with new definitions for “clipless,” “cadence,” “cartridge”, “chamois,” and “watts.” I’ve also been reminded of a few valuable life lessons. The most important of which is, ‘Always look both ways before you cross the street!’ <br />
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Another life lesson I've learned is that slight modifications make a big difference when you are going to be at it for a long time. If I’m out for a quick ride around the block it doesn't matter too much how much air is in the tires and at what height the seat (saddle) is. ‘Close’ is good enough for a casual spin. However, if I’m going to be at it for an hour or two then slight modifications make a big difference. A ¼ inch difference in saddle height, on a short ride is barely noticeable but on a long ride can be the difference between walking normally and bow legged after you dismount (think “City Slickers”). Improper alignment not only causes pain but can actually cause serious injury. Slight modifications make a big difference. So it pays to be dialed in.<br />
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Let’s merge a little spiritual application here. Spiritually, the summer months afford the time to let go of the routines of life, at least for a few weeks here and there. Wisely, we use this season to take breaks, gear down, and mix up the routine with shots of recreation and play. There are still a few weeks of summer left, but very soon we will once again saddle up for the long ride. We make our annual tour through Pumpkin patches, be refueled by a Thanksgiving feast, peddle under mistletoe, around the hairpin turn of year’s End, then the steep climb up to Calvary’s hill and peak at the Empty Tomb. It’s no sprint.<br />
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As we saddle up for the long ride ahead, it is important to make adjustments now. This is the time to readjust things that have fallen out of alignment this summer. <br />
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<b>So let’s do a quick 3-point Tune Up.</b><br />
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1. <b>Check Your Worship</b> <br />
Are you daily engaging in private worship and weekly engaging in corporate worship? How’s your personal bible reading and prayer feeling? How’s your church attendance look?<br />
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2. <b>Check Your Community</b> <br />
How’s your connection (unity) with the Body of Christ? Are you in a small group where you can give and receive encouragement, accountability, and care?<br />
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3. <b>Check Your Mission</b> <br />
Are you using your gifts inside and outside the walls of the Church top bring glory to His name? Are you giving financially to the mission of the church? Where are you serving?<br />
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Ratchet up any inconsistencies. Readjust. Know that little fixes make a big difference when you’re planning to go the distance.<br />
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-38366536651123916072013-06-10T11:38:00.002-04:002013-06-11T11:39:12.942-04:00Gowns, Mountains, and Tony Dungy - June 10 Weekend Wrap Up<b>1. Graduates Sunday.</b> Awesome job Harbor Student Band leading us in worship yesterday. And a special "congratulations" and "God bless You" to the class of 2013! <br />
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<b>2. VBS WEEK! </b>The Children's ministry department has been hard at work for weeks preparing for hundreds of kids that will flood our campus each night this week. Please be praying this week that children's hearts will be touched with the message of Jesus. <br />
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<b>3. Men's Study, Wednesday June 19th 7pm. </b> - Men, I invite you join me in a study I'll be leading called <b>"Dare to Be Uncommon"</b> (a curriculum by Head Coach Tony Dungy). <br />
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<b>4. Sermon in Sentence</b> - Be certain (not like a fog but like a mountain) that there is inherent danger in being the "most excellent" anything, except being the Most Excellent Friend of God.Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-34378538172718429262013-05-30T13:44:00.000-04:002013-05-30T13:44:54.735-04:00Four Beats of RestThough summer doesn't officially start until later this month, Memorial Day feels to most of us like the beginning of summer. Kids will be out of school, friends will gather around gas grills and at the beach, and family reunions will be taking place around the country. My hope for you is that this summer will provide the opportunity for rest and fun.<br />
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You know God has hard-wired rest and play into our very being. He created us to joyfully experience the world he created. Like a Father that enjoys watching his children play, God has fun when we have fun. I mean after all, he gives us taste buds! The very fact that we can be entertained by food is remarkable and speaks to the joyous nature of our Lord! Additionally, God gives us the ability to marvel at colors, hear various pitches and harmonies, appreciate beauty, savor aromas, and through touching discern textures. And he allows us to laugh! What purpose does laughter provide other than as an outlet to express joy. What a great God we serve! <br />
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The rhythm of life God created began on the downbeat of play, fun and recreation. Play is Godly and good. God created it and created us to experience it. But lest you think this rest and play thing is a fluke. Check this out. There are four examples of God beating the drum of rest and recreation (play).<br />
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<b>1. God Took a Personal Day </b><br />
Genesis 2:2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. <br />
The first thing God does after created everything is to take a personal day. On the seventh day, God called off. Literally from the beginning the rhythm of life began on the down beat of play, fun and recreation. <br />
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<b>2. Let my People Go…Celebrate.</b> <br />
Exodus 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”<br />
After 400 years of hard labor, God says to Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” Not, let them go to a construction conference or a trade show to hone their craftsmanship. No Six Sigma training here. Instead, God says let them go play! Let them go hold a festival (party), and have fun and laugh and rejoice and rest. God wanted his people free so they could experience joy in the world he created. During slavery, the rhythm of play and rest had been stolen from them. This is not what people were created for. <br />
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<b>3. “Fun” makes the Top 10.</b><br />
Right in the heart of Exodus 20, the fourth commandment is ‘Take a Break.” Remember the Sabbath as a day of rest, worship and recreation. It’s a command to remember our Creator, who formed us with the need for recreation.<br />
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<b>4. Party, Party, Party.</b> <br />
The Jewish calendar, with its 3 times per year, multi-day festivals created a rhythm of work and rest. Passover (spring), Pentecost (summer) and Tabernacles (fall) were multi-day celebrations. They were parties. God mandated parties. They were not evening events, but rather weeklong festivals of fun, shared stories, laughter, and the reconnecting with family of God. The festivals were meant to disconnect the child of God from obligations, duty and work. These festivals were never meant to be weighty religious obligations, but sources of joyful worship and play. That is why they were called festivals. Not fasts. Big parties, holy fun!<br />
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I pray you will take time this summer to disconnect and refresh. I pray for God to give you some frivolous and unproductive holy days this summer…all for the glory of God. Don’t let your rest become work. That’s a sin.<br />
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You are Loved,<br />
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Pastor Terry<br />
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-52658501377338465822013-04-22T13:27:00.002-04:002013-04-22T13:47:38.010-04:00April 21 Weekend RecapFour Cool Things From this Weekend<br />
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1. <b>"Kallos"</b><br />
All day Saturday student ministry volunteers spent pouring into the lives of dozens of middle school girls. The girls were primped and pampered and made to feel very special...because they are! Great job everyone involved in that great event. As a dad of one of those girls I say a special 'thank you.' <br />
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<b>2. If you like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3UxfvNbBx0">this</a> you'll love the 11:59 service</b><br />
Great gospel centered worship this past Sunday in all three services. A refreshing, extended time of quiet reflection in the 9 and 10:30 services, and an energetic passionate offering of worship in the 11:59 service. Let me encourage you, if you haven't yet, come and check out the 11:59 service. Yes, its a little bit louder, its a little bit later in the day, and it's a little bit more rockin'. If you like Passion worship you'll love it. Invite a friend!<br />
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<b>3. Leader's Gathering</b> <br />
We shared several yeah God stories from the Easter season. All I can say is God is on the move. If you want to be 'in the loop' don't miss the next Leader's gathering this summer.<br />
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<b>4. Sermon in a Sentence</b><br />
"You were <b>chosen</b> to bear (not produce) fruit for your <b>overflowing</b> (play-ro-o) joy and for the Father's glory."Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-15157772598622118112013-04-22T12:00:00.000-04:002013-04-22T12:00:03.541-04:00A Good Day’s Lesson from Elijah Good days and bad days. We all have them. I was reading recently about Elijah in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings. This guy may have the record for the most dramatic 24-hour emotional swing in history. <br />
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<b>1 Kings 18. </b><br />
At the time when this story took place God’s people were losing. Jezebel’s false prophets far outnumbered the prophets of God. Each passing day more prophets of the LORD were swallowed up until Elijah is the only prophet of God left. Elijah, who tended toward the spectacular, had seen enough so he calls for a showdown between Baal’s prophets and himself. It’s a winner-take-all, king-of-the-mountain duel. The Deity who answers his prophet(s) with fire on the mountain will be proven as the one true God.<br />
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The showdown was on and all the prophets rallied on Mt. Carmel. The prophets of Baal frantically and ferociously attempted, but failed to awaken their gods. The climactic moment came when Baal’s prophets are pushed off the stage and Elijah steps up to call upon YHWH. Elijah’s God answers in force by sending fire from heaven. And the Scriptures tell us that “The power of the Lord came on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). A really good day.<br />
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Oh the joy of spectacular moves of God! The joy of “chapter 18” seasons of ministry and of life. Easter season 2013 at Bayside was a spectacular season. More than 1600 in Easter attendance, 20 people baptized, 50,000 meals prepared. These are big, bold, “power of the Lord” kinds of moments. We celebrate and are grateful that this season has turned hearts toward the Lord (1 Kings 18:37).<br />
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BUT ELIJAH'S STORY PROVIDES A HELPFUL CAUTION.<br />
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<b>I Kings 19. </b><br />
“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life” (19:3). My how things changed. From public triumph to private fear. In the previous chapter he stood on a mountain in victory. And the next day he dove into a cave of depression. In chapter 19 he’s not eating, he’s angry at God and hoping to die. He finally gained enough strength to straightaway hide himself in a cave. God rebukes (19:9) him because Elijah has acquired a thirst for the spectacular and is pouting because God is not giving him more. He wants his God to be in the big, the loud, and the mass production. <br />
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God revealed Elijah’s idolatry by refusing to display his power through the windstorm, earthquake, or fire. God instead spoke through a gentle whisper. Disgusted the prophet covered his face in his cloak (blanket maybe) and ran away like a spoiled child. Elijah’s hope had drifted from God, to God’s mighty works. <br />
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Even mighty men and women of God, who warn others against idol worship, are not immune from idolatry themselves. <b>Elijah allowed the grand to supplant God as his heart’s first love.</b> <br />
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In our personal lives as well as in our community life together we will have days when we stand on the mountain top with hands raised (chapter 18). And invariably there will be those “hide me deep in the cave” (chapter 19) days. Whether on the summit, in the cave or journeying between the two lets always remember The Lord - The Lord he alone is God. May we never mistake the grand for God or His mighty works for Him. <br />
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<br />
Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29763923.post-11077996819632371332013-04-15T12:36:00.000-04:002013-04-15T12:36:35.518-04:00'Do Something' Weekend <b>Weekend Recap</b><br />
What an amazing weekend! Special thanks to the "Do Something" team for organizing a great event Sunday. <br />
<br />
<b>50 Thousand Healthy Meals on their Way to Nicaragua<br />
</b>Thanks to everyone who helped to prepare meals. The event was a tremendous success! Not only did you accomplish the goal of 50K meals, you did it with a great servant attitude. Thank you for enduring with patience the packed hallways, and at times a little bit of chaos, to make a big difference in the lives of children in Central America. Bayside, you rock! <br />
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<b>Local "Do Something" Projects <br />
</b>Thank you to all who planned and showed up to volunteer Saturday for local projects - mission smile, Pinellas Hope, and Matie Williams. <br />
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<b>Sunday's Worship Services</b><br />
We are greatly encouraged by the three worship services. God continues to bring new people each week. And all 3 services increased this week from last. God is working through our prayers. The third service is providing more room at the 10:30 service and is offering a more guitar-driven, "passion-style" worship experience. People who attend are loving it....the pizza afterwards is a plus too <br />
:-)<br />
<br />
<b>Reminder: Leaders' Gathering this coming Sunday 5-7pm.<br />
</b> Sunday night we will recap some of the big wins God has done though Bayside throughout the Easter season. You'll hear "yeah-God" stories from each of our pastors. The purpose of these gathering is to be reminded of the vision, encouragement each other, and celebrate what God is doing.<br />
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<b>Message Recap</b><br />
Sunday we talked about remaining in Jesus, who is the true vine. The points we covered from John 15 were:<br />
1. Jesus is the true vine.<br />
2. God the Father is the Vinedresser.<br />
3. We (Christ-followers) are the Branches.<br />
<br />
God wants us to bear fruit for the Father's glory and for our complete joy! May your joy be "play-ro-o" (filled to the brim, overflowing) in Him, today.<br />
<br />
>Pastor Terry<br />
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Terryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17634014914771731696noreply@blogger.com0