As I have been listing to the Hillsong United “I heart Revolution Live”, this song has become an anthem this week!
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more about “Savior King – Hillsong“, posted with vodpod
Author: dgould77
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It’s Official . . . our house is on the Market!
We just met with the Realtor today to put our house on the market. We are selling so we can move closer to a Children’s Hospital since Jackson likes to visit the Hospital so often. Our last experience was enough for us to say that’s enough. Knowing that this is a temporary situation, meaning that Jackson should grow out of his seizures, we are looking to move closer to the church and the new Children’s Hospital less than 5 minutes away. At first we were skeptical, now we are starting to get excited about the new adventure and believe God is at work in this. My wife shared a great post about this here!
Apartment life will be much different than what we expected. Our first thought was that the apartments would be small, crowded, and if we were lucky, they may have a pool. We have been home owners for almost 8 years. So we are use to larger rooms and privacy, plus our neighborhood has a two nice parks and a pool. Needless to say our expectations were low. However, we were wrong. The place we are looking at has pretty much everything we want minus 2 bed rooms, a second living area, and a partial bathroom. But we gain the use of an indoor basketball court, racquetball court, theater room, workout facility with a children’s play room, heated pool and hot tub, gas grills throughout the facility, and a business meeting room.
It will be different, but we believe that by moving closer, we will be able to provide the care that Jackson needs. If it means giving up a house to have a healthy child, I’ll take the healthy child any day! Please join with us as we pray for our house to sell and begin to transition to this new adventure!
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Luke 16:19-31
“Jesus said, ‘There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.
22 Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.[a] The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.[b] There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.’” v19-23
Today you are probably going to have to read the rest of the passage to understand what happens. Click here to do that. Jesus use the example of these two guys to drive home a couple of points:
- Wealth is not proof or righteousness – Even though the Pharisee’s thought this and even today we have some “name it and claim it” teachings are out there, it doesn’t prove you to be righteous. We will be held accountable for how we spend our money. It doesn’t mean that we all have to be poor, but it does mean that we will held responsible.
- Everyone Dies – It’s a reality. We don’t know when or how but it will happen. Are you prepared for eternity?
- There is life after death – you will spend eternity somewhere. This isn’t reincarnation! You will either be in eternal peace with God (Heaven) or you will be in eternal torment (Hell). What you choose on this earth determines where you spend eternity. (read more about this in verses 24-31)
- If dead people could talk . . . they would warn us – The rich man was pleading that someone go to his family and tell them the truth so they didn’t end up where he was. Abraham answered him, they have the prophets and won’t listen to them, what makes you think they will listen to someone who is raised from the dead.
- Not everyone will believe – It was ironic that Jesus would use this story and end it with this statement, “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’” Jesus knew that He was going to die. He also knew that he would be resurrected from the dead. Even then people still denied who He was and rejected His teachings. Today its the same way. People believe many different things. People have heard the truth and rejected it, while others heard it and took it to heart. The sad reality is not everyone will believe.
Where do you find yourself. Passages like this are a good reminder of the reality of eternity. Its easy to get caught up in the things of the present and forget about the things to come. Take some time today to reflect on this passage and listen to what God might say to you.
Today lets be people who take advantage of the opportunities now, so we and others can enjoy eternity together with God in Heaven. Don’t hang on to your stuff so tightly that it becomes a stumbling block for you or gets in the way of God using you.
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B2S Retreat Video
We have set up a youtube account to start posting our video since more of our students are blogging now. Our hope are that you will post them on your blog also! This is the latest one from our B2S Retreat all of them can be found under the user name: thefsmshow enjoy
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Luke 16:1-18
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” v. 10-13
In this passage Jesus addresses how we handle our money. If you remember, Jesus was betrayed for money. How you use and manage money is important. Please note that I am not an expert at this and if you look at our life you will see we don’t do this very well. However, we desire to be in a place that Jesus describes here. We are making plans and doing the hard things so we can be people that are living wisely here and storing up treasures there, in Heaven!
The NLT Life Application Study Bible has this to say in its notes,
Money can easily take Gods place in your life. It can become your master. How can you tell if you are a slave to money? Ask yourself: Do I worry about it frequently? Do I give up what I should do or would like to do in order to make more money? Do I spend a great deal of my time caring for my possessions? Is it hard for me to give money away? Am I in debt?
Money is a hard and deceptive master. Wealth promises power and control, but often it cannot deliver. Great fortunes can be made – and lost – overnight, and no amount of money can provide health, happiness, or eternal life. How much better it is to let God be your master. His servants have peace of mind and security, both now and forever.
Many of us want to see God do big things in us and through us, duh! But these words today are piercing. Jesus say that its through our faithfulness in the small things that bigger responsibilities come. That means every detail of your life is a responsibility. What little things could you begin to practice today that could open bigger things later. Will you join me in praying this today,
Lord help me to be faithful in the little things, so you can use me to do greater things in the future!
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Another Long Night
Josiah decided to spend the night throwing up almost like clock work every 20 minutes from 11:30-3ish. Jackson did the same thing Monday Night and seems to be fine. I hope it over for Josiah that fast also! On another note, I am feeling sick now and hoping that its not my turn next!
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Small Groups
Tonight, we officially started small groups for grades 6-10th. I have the privilege of being the 9th grade coach. Tonight we had 15 ninth graders at our host home. Here are their pictures as they walked in.
What a good night! The topic was Guilt. Guilt is a hard topic to talk about and makes us feel uncomfortable because it hinges on actually having to share our faults with others. We asked these three questions in Small Groups
- How do you deal with guilt?
- Are there signs that you are ignoring?
- Have you asked God for forgiveness?
Doug Fields shared two things about guilt that I think are pivotal to overcoming it. If we aren’t proactive in temptation we will live our life being reactive toward guilt and situations. Here are some steps to take.
- Go to God with the situation. (confession)
- Go to others with the situation. (accountability)
If you will do these things you will be able to experience freedom from your current situation!
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Luke 15:11-32
“We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” v. 23-24
What a picture of unfailing love the Father shows his son. It’s easy for me to relate to that and want to implement that in my life and I really try to do that. The cool part is that the Father gave the son a new start. Our Heavenly Father does the same for us.
When others come to Christ do you celebrate, or do you think of all the things they have done and begin to be skeptical? Are you more like the Father, or the Brother?
Today, lets rejoice and be thankful for the things God has done for us, and when we see others come to Christ, lets let them know how excited we are for them and what God is doing in them!
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Invasion
My office has been invaded by my youngest son Jackson. Right now it looks more like a daycare than and office. Jackson spends from 12:30-2:00pm with me Mon-Thurs until Josiah gets out of school. Here is what he is doing right now!
I am not used to the quiet!
Join the conversation – Have you ever had to take your kids to work?
