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Showing posts from November, 2016

Ephesians Week 6

 Ephesians 5   5  1  Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children   2  and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.   4  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.   5  For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [ a ]   6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.   7  Therefore do not be partners with them. 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light i...

The Gift of You

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Why are we here? What's life about?  Is it to get as much money as we can before we die even though we take none of it with us?   We can all name millionaires who have committed suicide or accidentally died from drugs, trying to fill up their own hurts. Therefore, we know that money does NOT buy happiness or fulfillment.   Is it to live a life as self-centered as possible; would that bring happiness?   I think anyone that is over 40 can affirm that the most special and memorable times in their lives are when they put others first.   Why is this true? Because God gave us purpose, and told us what He wants us to do to in Matthew 22.     36  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [ c ] 38  This is the first and greatest commandment. 39  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yoursel...

Droughts and Storms, Seek Him

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Our family has daily prayed together for rain.   The ground is  just dust and the outdoor animals are thirst.   This week, I saw a songbird desperately attempting to drink water from the cat’s bowl.   I moved a bowl of water up high, out of the reach of the cats, a safer watering bowl for the birds. You see, in my entire life, Georgia has never seen such a drought.   Last night a wildfire was put out less than 2 miles from our home.   We have had numerous fires near our state, due to the lack of rain, leaving a constant haze of smoke overhead. The smoke visible from space  A carelessly thrown cigarette suddenly is a true hazard. We have had over 43 days of no rain, for it hasn’t rained since October 7 th . Our last day of official rain was October 7th so today makes 43 straight days without measurable rain.    We haven’t seen a drought like this since 1963. Droughts in North GA: 2016 – 41 days (and counting) 1963 – 33 days...

66 Ways God Loves You

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As many of you know, my 12 year old just had his 4th surgery for a tumor beside his spine.  It is entangled in three vertebrae so the surgeon can only debulk it, but couldn't remove all of it.  After removing more than his fist-full of tumor, the surgery was over...and now we wait.  Wait for the pain to subside, wait for the swelling to go down, wait to see if it comes back.  On top of this, there are other day to day struggles that can leave you wondering, "God, do you really love me?"   Thankfully, I just was given the book, 66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild.  Jennifer know a thing or two about struggle.  She lost her eyesight to a retinal disease when she was a teen and had to  adjust to this devastating  loss of sight while  going through the difficult teen years.  So how does Jennifer stay grounded in God's love when life is hard?  How do we stay planted in God's love when we feel He must not love us because...