Tag: discipleship

You Are Enough

Recently, I was listening to a remix of a great song called Echo, by Elevation Worship. It reminded me of how the thoughts and words that "echo" in our heads make a big difference in our everyday lives. These echoes affect our moods, our confidence (or lack of it), and whether our focus is on ourselves or others. The thoughts God wants us to have "rattling around" in our heads are positive, accepting, and loving. Sure, God may be in favor of some appropriately corrective thoughts sometimes, but predominantly we are to be reminded often of God's love, acceptance, and..

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Change is Possible

For the longest time in my life, I struggled with the normal stuff. The “normal stuff” being the search for fulfillment in things outside of God. I looked for fulfillment in trying to be a good dad, my job, my kids’ accomplishments, and my marriage. All of these things provided happiness at times and frustration at other times. None of them led to true fulfillment. In the midst of this, there were two things in my life that I desperately wanted to attain that I thought were unattainable: putting God first and living in peace.   I thought I would..

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Lean On God

A few moths ago, I had my second heart surgery in a year. Shortly beforehand, we learned that the hospital is not allowing any visitors for surgeries because of the COVID pandemic.  When we heard the news, this hit my wife and I hard as we have leaned on each other these past 38 years whenever times got tough. It is safe to say this was one of our toughest times. I became a bit fearful and my mind began to race and then a question came to me:    Who has been with you since the beginning?     I..

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Being Needed vs. Being Wanted

Which is better, to be needed or to be wanted? Here are some example scenarios to consider.   PARENTING Consider the role of a parent. When your children are first born, they definitely need you. They depend on you for safety, food, shelter, clean diapers and clothes, not to mention emotional support, life lessons, and so on.  Even when they are older, they might still need you for college tuition or help with food and shelter. As parents, the greatest feeling in the world, however, is not to be needed, but to be wanted. Andy Stanley, Pastor of North Point..

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