tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11949101777776119922024-03-13T06:49:33.032-04:00Think Spur LoveBrian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-44981214953503705502015-08-11T09:21:00.000-04:002015-08-11T15:36:30.061-04:00What is Love? <div dir="ltr">
Alexander Haddaway once wrote, “What is love, baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more.” </div>
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People have an idea that love involves no pain…maybe puppies, rainbows, and fluffy things…an endless honeymoon with no mistakes and complete happiness. Not quite. Love is not real unless it knows how to handle pain. John wrote in his Gospel, “My (Jesus) commandment is this – that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12, 13 New English Translation) Jesus’ love compelled Him to the cross. Love is not really love without sacrifice. We are told…strike that…we are commanded to have this kind of sacrificial love. When love is practiced we open ourselves up to a world of pain. People will hurt us, disappoint us, and let us down. But is that pain a bad thing?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHjlNSpQZSk/Vcj7-hGou1I/AAAAAAAACxM/cO6KgCq1E34/s1600/29.heart-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eHjlNSpQZSk/Vcj7-hGou1I/AAAAAAAACxM/cO6KgCq1E34/s200/29.heart-logo.png" width="200" /></a>Imagine you could feel no pain and you were to grab a kettle of boiling water. Just because you cannot feel pain does not mean you cannot be hurt. The kettle would burn the skin potentially causing lifelong damage. Pain, while not enjoyed, has its benefits. Pain in a relationship allows us to know that we experience actual love!</div>
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When mankind first sinned it grieved the heart of God. Our choices hurt Him. He set about a plan, one forged in love, to bring us back into a relationship with Him. We all know “For this is the way God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 New English Translation) God’s love drove Him to send Jesus, His Son to us…the very ones who broke God’s heart in the first place. Why do this? </div>
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Because He loves us! To show it, Jesus lays down His life for us. He made it all about restoring us to God the Father. Jesus, lived a very simple life, told us about God the Father and His Kingdom, told us we could find forgiveness. Jesus was then humiliated and murdered (sacrificed) on a cross as a guilty man even though He was without any error or sin. On the third day He rose from the dead. His life, death, and resurrection left us with a message of love. We are called to love one another. Do you? </div>
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It won’t be easy, but it is worth it. Loving our kids, spouse, friends and family may not always be easy, but in the end it is so worth it! As God looks down on us, I am sure we test His love, maybe even make it difficult, but He never changes. When Christ returns, we will know that love has been worth it! </div>
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all about Christ,<br />
David </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-47601086450862468872015-08-08T14:21:00.001-04:002015-08-08T15:26:09.811-04:00The path that leads to beauty...The older I get the more I love to hike or hit a trial. There is nothing like getting off the pavement and trekking with my family. The best hike is one I haven't conquered before, to see the new sights, wild life, or my choice of late, ending at the beauty of a waterfall.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNz3ZyXB_K8/VcZGI0l4SrI/AAAAAAAACwA/4dqOXOGq-sw/s1600/path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VNz3ZyXB_K8/VcZGI0l4SrI/AAAAAAAACwA/4dqOXOGq-sw/s1600/path.jpg" /></a>Many times, on these journeys, the path is worn down and easy to follow, maybe even having trail marker or signs to guide you. This makes it just about impossible to get lost. Sometimes there is a fork in the path and I try make an educated decision on which way to go, many times there are many other sub-trials people have carved to lead off to an overlook or something else that would distract you from the end goal. But even still, most times it's crystal clear the way that leads to the goal.<br />
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I'm finding in my spiritual journey it's much the same as the hikes that I love.<br />
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I know the path I'm supposed to be on, it's clearly marked, I know how I should walk. I know where I'm supposed to go, act, speak and live. But many times I choose a different path, knowing it will lead to no where good. The path Christ calls us to walk leads to beauty.<br />
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I know the path. I know how I should walk, Lord help me to stay on your path which You have clearly marked.<br />
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B<br />
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<i>Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 </i>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-7286018576329836512013-02-11T13:33:00.000-05:002013-02-11T13:33:57.181-05:00DoxologyDoxology. Not a word you probably said today...well, if you just read this, you did, but do you know what it means?<br />
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A doxology is a formation or formula of praise words. Hopefully it's something we utilize every day.<br />
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There is also a song called Doxology. I grew up singing it every week and I can't think of the song without the sound of an organ.<br />
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Here is how the song starts:<br />
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"Praise God from whom all blessings flow."<br />
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It is so easy to look at the negative in our lives. I'm sick. I'm broke. I can't believe my kids did this. I can't believe my spouse did that. Pretty sure my boss hates me. The negatives keep coming...but so do the blessings, if we chose to see them.<br />
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I'm sick, but I'll recover. I'm broke, but I have what I need. My kids got in trouble at school, but they are learning from their mistakes. My spouse did something wrong, but I am blessed to have a spouse to love and be loved by while we, together, practice mercy through forgiveness. My boss may hate me, but I have a job that allows me to provide for my family.<br />
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"Praise Him all creatures hear below."<br />
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Do others hear your praises or are they more in tune with the negatives?<br />
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"Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts."<br />
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It's not a competition, but I don't really want anything to give God more meaningful worship. It's about respect and recognizing who God is to me. So, do I worship God with a fervency of the angels or beyond?<br />
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"Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost."<br />
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It's easy to sing praise to the Father once we recognize His everyday blessings. It's easy to give praise to the Son when we recognize the death, burial, and resurrection showing us the extent of God's love and the forgiveness of our sins. But that last one, the Holy Ghost...don't forget Him! I love the term "ghost". It comes from the German word "geist". You've probably heard the word polter"geist", but did you know we also get the English word "guest" from "geist". He is our Holy Guest on a day to day basis, sustaining us, leading us, guiding us, correcting us, and when necessary convicting and rebuking us.<br />
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We have so many reasons to praise God. Brian and I don't often get multiple comments, so let me ask you to share your doxology below...your words of praise for God. Let's encourage one another in this!<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
DavidAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-92103502159743110432013-02-01T08:43:00.002-05:002013-02-01T08:43:45.580-05:00Just the front gate...It tough to wrap our minds around what heaven is going to be like...We've all seen cartoons, movies and TV cast their view of what it will be like. We've also heard every "St. Peter @ the pearly gates" joke. But it's hard to even imagine heaven...right?<br />
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Well...How about just looking at front gate...<b>Rev. 21:21</b> says <i>"The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each made of a single pearl."</i> </div>
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Mark Bourne, last summer @ The Event, shared that according to size of the gates recorded in the Bible, one pearl, for just one of the front gates of heaven, would be worth $9 Octodeillion, or 9 to the 57th power. Still not getting it...that's a 9 with 57 zeroes behind it...(just look at the picture)...</div>
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And that's just one of the front gates!</div>
Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-90948893835712625472013-01-22T20:23:00.000-05:002013-01-22T20:23:05.621-05:00FocusThe new year is now 22 days gone.<br />
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68 days till Easter. 163 days till July 4. 337 days till Christmas. 344 are left in this year.</div>
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Time goes by pretty fast and I'm sure you are already thinking about an upcoming date this year. Maybe it is Valentine's Day or an anniversary. My daughter's birthday is just days, really hours, away.</div>
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As we focus on these points in time, other things slip up on us. We forget to make a call, forget to go somewhere, forget to meet someone, forget to pick something up. We lose focus.</div>
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This happens at work, at home, politically (I can't believe it! I know, right?), and yes, even at churches across this globe.</div>
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As for the church, our focus and our chase needs to be Christ. Anything else will distract and pull us away. We chase our rabbits and our squirrels to the point of forgetting what we are supposed to be chasing after.</div>
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But what is the church? The church is a community of individuals gathered together because of Christ. Maybe those individuals understand a phrase like "the sacrificial lamb who takes away our sins" or maybe they are individuals who just want to know how to live a better life (which is a great starting point!). If we lose our focus, if we lose sight of Jesus Christ, we have lost our direction, our way, and our effectiveness.</div>
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It is my prayer that we may find our focus and sustain it daily.<br />
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1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I decided to be concerned about nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." (NET)</div>
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all about Christ,</div>
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David</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-36863875354239008312012-08-30T16:24:00.000-04:002012-08-30T21:50:29.113-04:00Moving Past Lewis<div>
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One of my favorite Christian authors is C.S. Lewis. His apologetics are, in my opinion, life changing. I have read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mere-Christianity-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652888/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346208191&sr=1-3&keywords=C.+S.+Lewis" target="_blank">Mere Christianity</a> several times and cannot tell you how much <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Screwtape-Letters-C-S-Lewis/dp/0060652934/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346208191&sr=1-5&keywords=C.+S.+Lewis" target="_blank">The Screwtape Letters</a> impacted my developing faith in college and beyond. Whenever I contemplate the workings of temptation, I remember the correspondence of Wormwood and Screwtape. As a kid, I loved <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Box-Set-Lewis/dp/0061992887/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346208343&sr=1-1&keywords=C.+S.+Lewis+chronicles" target="_blank">The Chronicles of Narnia</a> and checked them out from our church library every summer. A thing to note in regards to the often quoted and referenced Lewis, the world has changed. For me, Lewis's apologetic typically speaks to those who struggle with the existence of God because of the problem of evil or suffering. Today, I believe many non-believers come from a desire for personal or experienced "logic" and "philosophy". It has nothing to do with God. While I hear people still say how can God be real if there is so much evil in the world, I more commonly hear quotes or restatements of men like Dawkins and Hutchins. Their disbelief in God is not from the problem of evil in the world, but rather from their belief in the superiority of man.<br />
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The voice of the world has changed and if the message of Christ is to remain relevant and impactful, we must listen and answer the questions and accusations leveled today, not yesterday. Let me encourage you to read and study and listen...even if you don't agree. If I may recommend a few resources check out <a href="http://www.str.org/" target="_blank">Stand to Reason</a> and apologist <a href="http://www.rzim.org/" target="_blank">Ravi Zacharis</a>. And while you are at it, NEVER skip a chance to read and reread <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=C.%20S.%20Lewis&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3AC.%20S.%20Lewis" target="_blank">C.S. Lewis</a>!<br />
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all about Christ, <br />
David </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-17395901633114577052012-05-11T13:32:00.000-04:002012-05-11T13:32:10.488-04:00Pack Your Bags, We're Going on a Guilt Trip...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was recently driving through Louisville to pick my kids up and I noticed a sign out front of a building. It said something along the lines of "a portion of every dollar spent here goes to…"and they listed an organization. I'm not 100% certain what the organization was (check the P.S. below) but I was distracted by the "buy here and we'll do this good deed" attitude. What a horrible motivation! Were they suggesting their products are not good enough to sell on their own accord so they had to attempt to tug at our heart strings? Is this an attempt to manipulate people to buy?</div>
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Manipulation is wrong but prevalent...even in the church.<br />
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For example: Christians are to pray for others. I just spent several weeks looking at prayer in the New Testament and I noticed something. Jesus never said pray for your enemies SO THEY WILL COME TO HIM. Paul never said pray for your enemies SO THEY WILL GIVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST. In fact, we are never told in Scripture, but I'm sure you have often heard the "love-them-to-Christ" mentality. </div>
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What a manipulated, sad, and twisted faith!</div>
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We are supposed to pray for and love others, period. Don't add to, don't take away. Love and pray for others.</div>
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When Jesus began teaching about praying for (and loving) our enemies, he was not intending it as a way to guilt them to repentance or salvation. He taught us to pray for and love our enemies because it was about doing the right thing. I'm praying today that you do the right thing. Love and pray for those who are against you. The power of the cross is strong enough without manipulation or guilt, do you agree?</div>
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all about Christ,<br />
David<br />
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P.S. I believe the group they were raising support for was Wounded Warrior Project. I love what this group does. If you'd like to support them without being coerced into buying a product from some store, then just give <a href="http://goo.gl/MMEef">here</a>. Simple.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-4637722680124087842012-04-16T13:42:00.001-04:002012-04-16T13:59:18.218-04:00Alienated Turtles and A Mutated GospelAs a child I remember reading a couple issues of a black and white comic book about ninjas. Teenage ninjas. Teenage ninjas that were mutated turtles! It was awesome. Then there was a full color animated cartoon. It was awesome. Then a live action movie. It was awesome! Then more animated cartoons, different universes, two more live action movies, video games, and a CGI animated film. The story was roughly the same. Radioactive ooze turns pet turtles into ninjas. They learn ninjitsu from a mutant rat (like the turtles) who was once either a man or a rat (depending on the story line you follow) until he came into contact with the ooze. Ahh, the ooze.<br />
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Recently, Michael Bay, director of the Transformers movies (who has been hired to direct a new live action Ninja Turtles movie), made a statement about the upcoming movie. He said that the turtles would be aliens and people would love the story. ALIENS?!?<br />
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Fanboys across the world took to the interwebs and blogosphere in an outcry. The problem: The fans were excited about a new live action movie (the method of telling/retelling the story) but they were upset about the alien roots (the message, the origin, had been corrupted).<br />
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Today the church faces a very similar situation. When the virgin birth is denied or it's importance is limited, when preachers teach Christ is "just one of many ways" to heaven, or hell isn't as bad as some people say it is or it isn't even real, we have strayed greatly. As Christians, we should be just as outraged as "fanbois" all over the interwebs at Teenage Alien Ninja Turtles. As Christians, we have the greatest story ever told and we need to tell it again and again in as many different ways and venues as we can but we cannot change the story! With the greatest story comes the greatest responsibility. In other words, the Gospel's just too important to mess with.<br />
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God created us. Our sin separated us from God. We don't like that separation so we do anything we can to fill it, typically falling into more sin. God doesn't like that so He puts into motion a plan to deal with our sin. Enter Christ, God the Son, born of a virgin. Christ teaches us about living for God the Father. Christ dies for us to make a reunion with God the Father possible. Christ rises again to ensure us everything will be just as He said it would. Christ ascends to Heaven telling us He will come again to, once and for all, reunite us with God. God the Spirit works in us today, guiding, teaching, compelling us to turn from sin and receive Christ. Those who receive Christ receive Heaven. Those rejecting Christ receive Hell.<br />
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It's the greatest story ever told. It's not our story to mess with. Let me spur you to share it with someone today. Share your forgiveness!<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
DavidAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-63199621509417179502012-04-05T10:18:00.001-04:002012-04-05T10:18:57.584-04:00A Titanic Mistake...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.861914555542171"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was hoping we let go of the Titanic, even though Jack whispered "I'll never let go." The Titanic has re-emerged and is back in theaters and in 3-D no less. I know many are excitied, (James Cameron's bank account, and all most every female) but for myself it reminds me of the first huge mistake I made in youth ministry, an iceberg I didn't see coming and had no idea was there. </span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was in my rookie year of youth ministry at a loving and encouraging church in the small town of Milford, KY serving as their weekend youth guy while attending Bible College. I decided it was time for a blockbuster outing for our group so we set sail in our 15 passenger old school Dodge church van (which was the size of a boat) into town. We docked the van and walked up to the ticket counter and each said these words, "One for Titanic"...from then on the night began to sink. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My mistake was this: discernment. I had not previewed the movie, my college friends, the press and the media gave it glowing reviews. I added the reviews to the amazing reports and the box office numbers to equal this must be a great movie. It was for a while, but much like the captain I was in uncharted waters, not previewing the movie myself. Queue the steamy window scene in the car, and then the scene that sunk me Jack Dawson sketching Rose in the nude. I did not feel like "the king of the world", I wanted to jump over board. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I learned a lot about discernment that night. I learned that as a captain of the ship, as the leader, I must know where the boat is heading and the dangers that may lurk in the waters. Discernment in life and leadership is so very important. Take it from me you're not unsinkable.</span></span>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-90742363525046833222012-02-21T10:27:00.000-05:002012-02-21T10:27:38.226-05:00From the Sidelines<div>
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In some ways my little brother (#21 above) is the athlete I always wanted to be. He's great at any sport he tries, I was good at playing instruments and video games (ask him about the time I beat him at Street Fighter 2...blindfolded). While I enjoyed and would never negate any of my band experiences, I still like to watch the sports I was so woefully inadequate to play. When it comes to sports, I do have a pet peeve.<br />
<br />
This past weekend his team was in their final tournament for the season. The team they played against was tough. They could pass, rebound, and take a foul like it was nothing. I'm convinced one of the kids on the opposing team could sink threes all day if he was left open. But here's the rub - As I watched my brother's team get outplayed I heard people yelling from the stands. They were "coaching" the kids. These are middle schoolers...no college scholarships on the line and no NBA recruiters in the stands. Even Jeremy Lin wasn't there and that dude's everywhere right now!<br />
<br />
While I won't repeat the things screamed from the stands, thoughts of how I wanted to respond kept coming to my head. Do something. Get in the game. Ok, I realize the fans can't jump into a middle school game to play, but we aren't just talking about a middle school game now. How many times have you been at work and heard individuals complain about this new rule or that new way of doing things? I'm sure you have NEVER heard anyone complain at church about what the church is doing or what was said or who is there.<br />
<br />
To all the complainers, the stand coaches, those barking orders...your words are...well...not really helping. Get in the game! Instead of yelling at kids to pass, play some ball with a kid and show them how to pass. Instead of tearing down that new policy, seek to understand the whys and help enforce it by doing it. Don't just complain about the songs, youth, or sermon...pray for them and see how you can get involved.<br />
<br />
Besides, no one in the stands gets a trophy, no matter how loud you are.<br />
<br />
Finally, good season Josh, I'm proud of you.<br />
<br />
all about Christ,<br />
David</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-32917214518392093592012-02-13T17:50:00.002-05:002012-02-20T17:27:59.473-05:00Spurred by an Atheist<div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: normal;">"I read the Bible <b><span style="color: orange;">every day</span></b>. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I believe the fast track to atheism is reading the Bible. I've read it<b><span style="color: orange;"> three times all the way through</span></b>. It's a big part of our culture, a big part of our history. I don't just read things I agree with." - <i>Penn Jillette </i></span></span></div>
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Penn a self-proclaimed Atheist and reads the Bible daily...Do you? I am a self-proclaimed pastor and I miss days once and a while. </div>
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Penn has read the Bible three times all the way through. I'm a pastor I have done it once. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDl9dWvcfik/TzldTanqICI/AAAAAAAAANM/6o8GaTuG_2Q/s1600/Penn-Jillette-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VDl9dWvcfik/TzldTanqICI/AAAAAAAAANM/6o8GaTuG_2Q/s200/Penn-Jillette-.jpg" width="200" /></a>Penn realizes the impact on culture and history this Bible makes...Do you? </div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;">Obviously the majority that read this blog are Christian and we don't believe the Bible leads to a disbelief in God, but just the opposite it </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">strengthens </span><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;">our belief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;">But </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">honestly</span><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;">, my Bible intake sadly has been trumped by Mr. Jillette an atheist and it <span style="color: orange;"><b>spurs</b></span> me to be more diligent in the Word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; line-height: 22px;">Thank You Mr. Penn Jillette...Mr. Jillette if you ever read this in your bathtub one day, here is a brief message from me to you, I pray as you read the scriptures that you would see a God that loves and saves.</span></div>
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You can read the entire article here...</div>
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<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/talkingyourtech/story/2012-02-12/penn-jillette-ipad-kindle/53062742/1" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/talkingyourtech/story/2012-02-12/penn-jillette-ipad-kindle/53062742/1</a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">P.S. One day I hope to get to see you and Teller perform (Vegas or anywhere). You guys always seem so amazingly entertaining and good luck in Celebrity Apprentice.</span></div>
</div>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-80848447422605631612012-01-30T12:40:00.001-05:002012-01-30T12:40:13.707-05:00SPUR: Conversation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBfNxFVwEzY/TybNJOyYhnI/AAAAAAAAArA/zz3n6v8KTmk/s1600/TER_Logo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBfNxFVwEzY/TybNJOyYhnI/AAAAAAAAArA/zz3n6v8KTmk/s1600/TER_Logo2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure if you are familiar with The Elephant Room or not. Basically here's how it works. A bunch of ministers/pastors/clergy get together. These individuals may disagree on any number of theologies (minor and major) and approaches to the ministry BUT they are solidly united by the blood of Christ. In that spirit of unity (all unity should flow from the blood of Christ) they discuss and even argue their views. My faith has been challenged by the few videos I have been privileged to watch. </div>
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Here is the SPUR to love and good deeds this week. You are probably surrounded by individuals who claim to follow Christ. Ask questions. </div>
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<li>What do you believe about the Trinity? </li>
<li>What do you believe about the tension of saved by grace and the necessity of works?</li>
<li>How does salvation work?</li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">What role, if any, should the church play in politics, sports, school and so on?</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Do all dogs go to Heaven?</span></li>
</ul>
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Ask questions but more importantly, know why you have the answers you have. </div>
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<li>Are your understandings/answers/theologies (whatever you want to call it) "yours" OR did you just hear them somewhere? </li>
<li>Are they from the Bible or a person or a t.v. show (you know it happens!)?</li>
<li>Why do you believe what you believe?</li>
</ul>
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When you ask questions and discuss, show respect. As Christians we need to engage each other in these conversations for spiritual growth but we need to do it in the right manner.</div>
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Want to learn more about this format or The Elephant Room? Click <a href="http://www.theelephantroom.com/">here</a>.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34957708?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
Taken from the Elephant Room: Round 2 on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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And if anyone has the full video set, let me know!<br />
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all about Christ,</div>
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David</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-4128750114962698442012-01-08T20:48:00.001-05:002012-01-10T13:03:54.104-05:00For God so Loved Tebow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aALUvhzRd-I/Twu89Em_-WI/AAAAAAAAAnA/rJADSpiSh3Q/s1600/tebow_praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aALUvhzRd-I/Twu89Em_-WI/AAAAAAAAAnA/rJADSpiSh3Q/s320/tebow_praying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I will probably make some of you a bit upset with this post. My Facebook post inspired a huge discussion. It comes down to this. Tim Tebow. The man is amazing. He is on fire for God (just watch him). He is a humble man (just listen to him). He is putting up great stats (wins at the very least) and is getting the job done, regardless of how he throws a ball (seriously, it's ugly)! He is concerned about social justice issues and winning games. And there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he loves Jesus (this is the way it should be for all Christians by the way). Tim Tebow takes all the press with so much grace and dignity. But there is a problem. He has become an icon, an image, an idol.<br />
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<li>Did you know Tim Tebow rode into Denver on the back of a donkey?</li>
<li>He once touched a pigskin and it came back to life!</li>
<li>He turned a pitcher of water into Gatorade.</li>
<li>His number is #15 because that's how many men it takes to tackle him.</li>
<li>He can dribble a football</li>
<li>He threw 316 yards, averaging 31.6 yards per throw, and getting a 31.6% viewer rating (whatever that is)...obviously God loves him and wanted him to win over the evil Steelers...(okay so I added the evil part because I am not a Steelers fan).</li>
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With all eyes on Tebow, he purposefully and appropriately redirects the attention to God...and so many Christians are enamored by this but they forgo Tebow's redirection and look to Tebow again. They tell their friends that God is giving Tebow wins. It's like the Bible Code. It makes me sad to hear things like this. Why? It's the Prosperity Gospel.<br />
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The Prosperity Gospel is a gross twisting of the scriptures. The way it works is like this: Love God and you will have all your dreams come true. Money? Yup...lots! Health...live to be 150! Want to win the Super Bowl...just watch Tim Tebow! While that is not how the Gospel works that is how so many have treated the Gospel in the midst of Tebow fever.<br />
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The Gospel does not promise us health or wealth or Super Bowl rings to pawn in our later years. Before you mishear me and start typing your angered response, the Gospel doesn't promise us heart ache either. God's goal is not our happiness or our sadness. God's goal is our holiness which is only accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ.<br />
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When we say God is blessing Tebow, we start to sound an awful lot like Satan in the book of Job. I can just see God saying, have you considered my servant Tebow. There's no one else like him. And Satan says, that's because you bless him and give him wins. God says no, he is righteous and faithful. His wins have nothing to do with me or how he feels about me. Remove the wins and he will still bless me. Obviously I'm taking a few liberties here but I think the point is solid.<br />
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Now with all this said. I am pulling for Tebow. I lived in Florida during the Tebow years. I have always seen him as an upstanding Christian man, a solid player, and a model athlete. He's the complete package! I want him to win. I want, since the Bengals are out, the Broncos to go to the Super Bowl and surprise everyone. I would love to see him win. BUT I am afraid of the reaction of so many...Christians and non-Christians. OMT!<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
DavidAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-33580514610947365162012-01-02T10:35:00.000-05:002012-01-02T15:09:55.550-05:00The first iPhone and your dreams, goals, and vision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuqc9VWwqCA/TwHK00O0wyI/AAAAAAAAAMg/__t10Qa3kvU/s1600/360iphone-275x171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuqc9VWwqCA/TwHK00O0wyI/AAAAAAAAAMg/__t10Qa3kvU/s1600/360iphone-275x171.jpg" /></a></div>
I read an interesting post on <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/12/30/apple-iphone-1983/?utm_source=iphoneapp">Mashable</a> this weekend that really got me thinking about big goals and vision as 2012 rolls around. The picture to the right and below are pictures of the very first Apple iPhone prototype in 1983, yes that's correct 1983.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I find it amazing that the first iPhone, as we know it, was not unveiled by Steve Jobs until January 9, 2007. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;">24 years...1983 to 2007...24 years...just shy of a quarter century. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 19px;">I know 2012 just began and maybe you didn't get everything done in 2011 you wanted to. Maybe your dreams and goals didn't happen, maybe they didn't materailize, so what...keep working on it, keep praying about it, keep fighting for it. Apple and Jobs continued to tweak, work, produce and dream and now there have been 5 versions/updates of the iPhone and on March 2, 2011, at the iPad 2 event Apple announced that they have sold 100 million iPhones worldwide. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19px;">Big goals, dreams and vision sometime takes time, don't quit. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGqISl9BqS8/TwHQLdLhU5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/2ElZe8cE1cY/s1600/640iphone2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGqISl9BqS8/TwHQLdLhU5I/AAAAAAAAAMs/2ElZe8cE1cY/s320/640iphone2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-67173544244885064932011-12-06T15:14:00.001-05:002011-12-21T22:47:11.084-05:00An Advent Monologue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This will be a bit longer than usual, but I promise well worth it. I was recently introduced to a story I have passed over for years now. (Thank you Andrew Gullahorn and Jason Gray for your </span>performance<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of this story through song at the Behold the Lamb of God concert.) Don't make my mistake, READ THIS STORY. The following is by Walt Wangerin, Jr. and is called An Advent Monologue. It is a beautiful story of Christmas. As I read about the woman, I couldn't help but picture myself and many of my closest friends. What a powerful parable...and it just shows us how much God loves us and how much He cares for us. You can read it and a few other stories from his book Ragman by clicking this </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zondervan.com%2Fmedia%2Fsamples%2Fpdf%2F0310249708_samptxt.pdf" style="font-family: inherit;">link</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><br />
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I love a child.</div>
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But she is afraid of me.</div>
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I want to help this child, so terribly in need of help. For she is hungry; her cheeks are sunken to the bone; but she knows little of food, less of nutrition. I know both these things. She is cold, and she is dirty; she lives at the end of a tattered hallway, three flights up in a tenement whose landlord long forgot the human bodies huddled in that place. But I know how to build a fire; and I know how to wash a face.</div>
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She is retarded, if the truth be told, thick in her tongue, slow in her mind, yet aware of her infirmity and embarrassed by it. But here am I, well-traveled throughout the universe, and wise, and willing to share my wisdom.</div>
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She is lonely all the day long. She sits in a chair with her back to the door, her knees tucked tight against her breasts, her arms around these, her head down. And I can see how her hair hangs to her ankles; but I cannot see her face. She’s hiding. If I could but see her face and kiss it, why I could draw the loneliness out of her.</div>
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She sings a sort of song to pass the time, a childish melody, though she is a woman in her body by its shape, a swelling at her belly. She sings, “Puss, puss.” I know the truth, that she is singing of no cat at all, but of her face, sadly, calling it ugly. And I know the truth, that she is right. But I am mightily persuasive myself, and I could make it lovely by my love alone.</div>
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I love the child.</div>
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But she is afraid of me.</div>
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Then how can I come to her, to feed and to heal her by my love? Knock on the door? Enter the common way?</div>
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No. She holds her breath at a gentle tap, pretending that she is not home; she feels unworthy of polite society. And loud, imperious bangings would only send her into shivering tears, for police and bill collectors have troubled her in the past.</div>
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And should I break down the door? Or should I show my face at the window? Oh, what terrors I’d cause then. These have happened before. She’s suffered the rapings of kindless men, and therefore she hangs her head, and therefore she sings, “Puss.”</div>
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I am none of these, to be sure. But if I came the way that they have come, she would not know me different. She would not receive my love, but might likely die of a failed heart.</div>
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I’ve called from the hall. I’ve sung her name through cracks in the plaster. But I have a bright trumpet of a voice, and she covers her ears and weeps. She thinks each word an accusation.</div>
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I could, of course, ignore the doors and walls and windows, simply appearing before her as I am. I have that capability. But she hasn’t the strength to see it and would die. She is, you see, her own deepest hiding place, and fear and death are the truest doors against me.</div>
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Then what is left? How can I come to my beloved? Where’s the entrance that will not frighten nor kill her? By what door can love arrive after all, truly to nurture her, to take the loneliness away, to make her beautiful, as lovely as my moon at night, my sun come morning?</div>
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I know what I will do.</div>
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I’ll make the woman herself my door—and by her body enter in her life.</div>
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Ah, I like that. I like that. However could she be afraid of her own flesh, of something lowly underneath her ribs?</div>
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I’ll be the baby waking in her womb. Hush: she’ll have the time, this way, to know my coming first before I come. Hush: time to get ready, to touch her tummy, touching the promise alone, as it were. When she hangs her head, she shall be looking at me, thinking of me, loving me while I gather in the deepest place of her being. It is an excellent plan! Hush.</div>
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And then, when I come, my voice shall be so dear to her. It shall call the tenderness out of her soul and loveliness into her face. And when I take milk at her breast, she’ll sigh and sing another song, a sweet Magnificat, for she shall feel important then, and worthy, seeing that another life depends on hers. My need shall make her rich!</div>
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Then what of her loneliness? Gone. Gone in the bond between us, though I shall not have said a word yet. And for my sake she shall wash her face, for she shall have a reason then.</div>
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And the sins that she suffered, the hurts at the hands of men, shall be transfigured by my being: I make good come out of evil; I am the good come out of evil.</div>
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I am her Lord, who loves this woman.</div>
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And for a while I’ll let her mother me. But then I’ll grow. And I will take my trumpet voice again, which once would kill her. And I’ll take her, too, into my arms. And out of that little room, that filthy tenement, I’ll bear my mother, my child, alive forever.</div>
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I love a child. </div>
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But she will not fear me for long, now. </div>
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Look! Look, it is almost happening. I am doing a new thing— and don’t you perceive it? I am coming among you, a baby.</div>
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And my name shall be Emmanuel.</div>
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The Christ of God</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-87133211973381820482011-12-05T10:29:00.001-05:002011-12-06T15:39:24.391-05:00The Cost of Christmas<br />
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Christmas is a mystery. Shoppers go to extremes to buy the perfect gift to show their love. Unfortunately, love often has a price tag. Many will buy low and attempt to "sell" it high when they give it. That's what Black Friday is all about. Buy the best/most expensive gifts at the lowest possible price. It makes us look like we give good gifts…when in fact, we are just cheap. Don't believe me? How do we react when a store has a price labeled or advertised wrong? It completely reverses the whole spirit of Christmas and the whole message of God's love for us through the gift of Christ.</div>
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You see, God gave us (presented) Christ at the lowest possible price. Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, born to an unwed, but engaged peasant. Born, then placed in a manger, an animal's food bowl. Don't forget, animals were not given fresh food, just baked for them. Animals received the scraps, left overs. Oh, and they aren't arranged on the plate so they aren't touching each other. Have you ever seen a bucket of scrap food before? The 8.6 lb baby Jesus was not wearing a golden fleece diaper (sorry Ricky Bobby) but instead, wrapped in scraps of cloth that did not smell like Tide or bleach. Scraps. If we saw a child in scraps of cloth today, what would we do? </div>
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<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/gs-netbible/Is52.13">Isaiah 52:13-53:12</a> tells us that Christ will come and will not be regarded by men. He will be despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. (Please go back and read the whole text... seriously, I linked the text for you!)</div>
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Unlike our gifts, Christ was presented at the lowest possible price. Then when the time came, Christ paid the highest possible price. He gave His life.</div>
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1 John 3:1 tells us God has lavished His love on us. Just a few verses later John describes that love in 1 John 3:16 telling us that this is how we know what love is, that Christ laid down His life for us! </div>
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This Christmas, my hope is that when we give gifts, we do so with love, not with price tags.</div>
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all about Christ,</div>
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David</div>
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*Picture taken from http://www.digitaltrends.com/guides/black-friday-survival-guide/</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-85207285171916872732011-11-14T15:26:00.000-05:002011-11-14T17:45:42.082-05:00Spur: Dirty Laundry...<div>
One of my tasks around the house is doing the dreaded laundry. It wasn't to bad gig when it was just me and my wife. But then add in three kids six and under and the laundry basket has become like the widow's flour jar and oil jug in 1 Kings 17... it never runs dry.<br />
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Every Friday for me it's time to attack the laundry...It's not a task I look forward to but that changed last week. Lately, I've been trying to do better at prayer. So every piece of clothing I decided to pray for the person who wore it. My son Isaac's bear pajamas...pray a little something something for Isaac...Sadie's purple socks...shoot up a pray for my daughter and so own...</div>
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I can't tell you how quickly the laundry went from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>mundane</b></span> to <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">meaningful</span>..</b>.</div>
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What do you do everyday that you could make meaningful?</div>
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</div>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-41140059889869349282011-11-08T16:34:00.000-05:002011-11-08T16:34:07.422-05:00A Big BurdenSo today my family and I are moving. We are leaving Southwest Virginia and moving to Kentucky. Julie and the kids are in our minivan while I am driving a really big yellow truck, a 26' Penske moving truck to be precise. (A huge thanks to the Hall family for transporting our other car!) The trip takes about 4 1/2 hours. In the back of the 26' truck is the vast majority of our possessions. Clothes, furniture, electronics, kids toys, pictures, and all kinds of stuff. I bear the burden of all the things we have acquired and kept over the years. Some of you have moved before and you know this burden...but there are bigger burdens.<br />
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Several years ago Christ carried my burden on the cross. He took every sin I had ever committed and bore them on the cross. He took every sin I have yet to commit and bore them on the cross. I'm far from perfect. My burden must have been huge, but Christ bore it. Not only did He bear my burden, but He also bore your burden. Every sin you ever committed. Every sin you have yet to commit. All transported far from us. The burden of our sin is gone.<br />
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Rejoice your sin burden is removed!<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
DavidAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-60141928715325935992011-10-31T10:50:00.001-04:002011-10-31T10:50:47.088-04:00See You On MondayChic-Fil-A is a great example of what you need in your life...Sabbath and Rest...I know you were hoping I'd say a #1 hold the pickle, with a sweet tea.<br />
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God models Sabbath and rest for us in the creation story, six days of work, then a day of rest. Later, in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 we are commanded to observe the Sabbath. Jesus models Sabbath and rest as well as you read through the Gospels.<br />
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Is there a time of rest and Sabbath in your life? Is there time carved out for is spiritual renewal and physical rest?<br />
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I love this video below it's uses comedy to portray a truth we need in our lives...Sabbath and rest. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4hwmOTEx2r8?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-33962264519542964112011-10-25T14:40:00.002-04:002011-10-25T18:52:33.132-04:00Transition and Change<div><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Yes, yes, I realize Brian and I have not posted all summer. Brian, as a youth minister, is very busy during the summer and me, I re-started my graduate school work. We have both been busy and agreed to let the blog simmer for a few months, hoping God would lead us as we began to post again in the fall…which leads to today's blog.</span></div>
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We have just slid into the fall season. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love seeing all the leaves change and living here in the mountains of Southwest Virginia it is beautiful. The leaves have just started to change! It's nice to see nature change and even feel it in the air with the cooler temperatures. What I love about fall is, like spring, it is a season of transition. It's not quite summer and not quite winter. There is a general feeling of progress. </div>
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Another change my family is going through is we are now packing. We are relocating. I have recently accepted a ministry at Lincoln Trail Christian Church in Irvington, KY. This change is a type of transition. While I am leaving behind a ministry that has been very dear to me, I know there is more to come. It's like fall. It's both exciting and sad to see the trees loose their leaves but you know they will grow back in the spring.</div>
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Scriptures like Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 remind me that there are lots of seasons of change in life. What we need to remember is that God is not a god of seasons, but rather the God of all times. Beginnings, endings, planting, harvesting, a season for everything and God is God of all of them.</div>
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I'm curious now, what changes have you gone through recently?</div>
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all about Christ,<br />
David</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-18402957601194899462011-06-16T11:15:00.000-04:002011-06-16T11:15:06.092-04:00So what are we going to do today?<div>I have to admit, because of my sons and Netflix, I now have a secret addiction to the Disney cartoon Phineas and Ferb. The premise of the show is to create the best day of summer vacation ever...and they do this each day. I find myself singing the songs and quoting the show at random times to my wife and kids. Every show has a similar flow and one statement that is made in each episode is "Ferb, I know what we're going to do today!"<br />
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Well this past week was the last week of school for my boys and I was looking forward to Saturday. It had felt like an exceptionally long week. I was thinking everyone would sleep in on a lazy Saturday morning. My wife works out of town most Fridays and Saturdays and so I have a few extra hours of "craziness" to contend with. My daughter has a 6:30 a.m. internal alarm clock that malfunctioned this past Saturday. It went off at 5:10 a.m. I wasn't ready for that. My sons were both out of bed and ready for Saturday at 6:45 a.m. The cartoons aren't even on yet!<br />
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I later asked my oldest, why did you get up so earlier? Why didn't you sleep in? His answer was perfect. He said, "Daddy, it's the first day of summer, I didn't want to waste it."<br />
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He nailed it!<br />
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Paul tells us not to waste time as well in Ephesians 5:15-17.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with resting. In fact we need to have a Sabbath. But we do not need to be wasteful of the time God has given us. Don't waste today! Or maybe the motivating question is what Isabella from Phineas and Ferb always asks, "Whatcha doin'?"<br />
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God has and will continue to do His part, now it's up to us. Go ahead and do what you can to make today a great day.<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
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David</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-83213300684031613432011-05-30T11:50:00.001-04:002011-05-30T11:56:28.480-04:00Seven Deadly Sins of Today<div class="p1">I've been working on a modern list of the Seven Deadly Sins. The name, Seven Deadly Sins, comes from the Catholic Church and there is no "biblical" list of seven deadly sins. Proverbs 6:16 does includes a list of 6 sins God hates and 7 that are an abomination and Galatians 5:19-21 includes a longer list of sins (15 specific and a broad 16th). The Seven Deadly Sins, according to the Catholic Church, are Greed, Sloth, Pride, Wrath, Lust, Envy and Gluttony. They are deadly, again according to the Catholic Church, because your soul is in extreme danger if you commit these.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">All that aside, sin is sin and any sin separates you from God. What I wanted to do is update the list for today. I will keep the name "deadly" because I believe these sins will KILL the Church if they go on unattended. You will notice some sins on my list are similar to the original. I need help adding the 7th so here are my Six Deadly Sins (just doesn't roll off the tongue). Some of these deadly sins may need to be regrouped with others. Just let me know what you think!</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">1 - Opinion (Which is nothing more than pride repackaged. Opinion says I'm right, you are wrong so it includes judgment. Opinion is not fact.)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">2 - Gossip (This is fake or immature knowledge. When you pass on knowledge/information that is not known or not yours to share that is gossip. If you wonder if what you are sharing is gossip, then don't share it.)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">3 - Apathy (Apathy says I don't care. Faith without works is dead. Is your faith active or dead? There is no place for Zombie Christians, they may move but they are actually dead. We must care. We must live out our faith!)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">4 - Intentional Ignorance (Some have a fear of being responsible for the knowledge they gain. There is little to no (or know) personal study, no desire for personal growth, always asking others if they ask at all. Grow so you can share!)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">5 - Cultural Attrition (The culture has a definite affect on us. The culture determines for too many people what boundaries they can and cannot cross. The nation becomes more sexual, our language deteriorates as we sound more like flash celebrities and theology is replaced with philosophy.)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">6 - Habitual (So many buy into the "healthy habit" lie. Habits are broken all the time. We don't take habits serious. People say, "I got out of the habit of 'prayer', 'church', 'study', whatever…these are not mere habits, these are lifestyles that must be lived.)</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">7 - </div><div class="p2"><br />
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Well, as you can see 7 is blank. Help me out.<br />
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</div><div class="p1">all about Christ,</div><div class="p1">David</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-34945826253394679552011-05-26T11:50:00.001-04:002011-05-26T22:43:16.555-04:00What are you going to do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8efx3iZw7Q/Td51Fd1xYlI/AAAAAAAAAI8/ZPhwf-b2SJ4/s1600/IMG_20110516_133719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="p1">What are you going to do?</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">As I write this, Brian and members from Galilee Christian Church are in Haiti working with an orphanage through Imagine Missions. I had the privilege of taking a team from Long Hollow Christian Church last year to do the same. Last year about this time Brian was leading a team from Galilee to Nashville to do flood work. I was also taking a team from Long Hollow on a trip to Nashville for the same reason. We worked through the same organization. Just a few weeks ago the tornadoes devastated areas near both of us so we took groups from the churches we serve to help in these areas (Brian in Alabama and I in Virginia). He and I talk about various opportunities to serve.</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">I love the fact that Brian and I desire to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and we do this out of Christ' love. </div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">When God's people see others hurting, then we, as God's people, need to respond. Often, many sit idly by and let others go and do. Let me encourage you to go. If you can't go physically, you can go financially by donating even $10. Maybe you are physically unable to go, or financially unable to support, could you organize a goods drive? People need the supplies and basic necessities (from toiletries to clothes to food) we may take for granted. Most importantly, don't go at it alone, but do go at it!</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">Get involved. Joplin, Missouri needs help. Glade Spring, Virginia needs help. Tuscaloosa, Alabama needs help, towns that used to be along the Mississippi River need help. Haiti and Japan still need help. There are so many more opportunities to serve that I didn't list. Maybe opportunities that are ongoing in your neighborhood or town. Just don't remain apathetic. Let me ask again, what are you going to do?</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">all about Christ,</div><div class="p1">David</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1">P.S. About the picture. Yes, that is a door in the top of a tree. It was one of the most unsettling sites I saw on our trip to Glade Spring, VA. To me it illustrated the destruction and power of the storm.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-67709081434076230412011-05-10T13:38:00.000-04:002011-05-10T13:38:41.825-04:00Sick of the leadership hype?Do you ever get sick of the leadership hype? Many times, I do. All I hear, read and see is about leadership. How you must become a leader and develop your leadership skills. How you must be a leader, excel at leadership, read about leadership, and study other leaders and of course you must learn the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership and never break them. Everyone wants the fast track to being a leader. <br />
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Why isn't anyone teaching people how to follow well, or how to be a great follower? Nobody is talking about following, it's all about being a leader. Why is nobody training people how to be good followers? What are the 21 irrefutable laws of being a follower? The only following we want to learn is how to get more followers on Twitter.<br />
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Current books on Amazon under "leadership": 67,194<br />
Current books on Amazon under "following": 10,952<br />
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Jesus first words to the disciples..."Follow me"...Why? So one day they they could lead.<br />
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Maybe you need to step off the leadership fast track, stopping listening to the leadership podcasts, quit memorizing the 21 laws and and learn to follow. .Brian LaRuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12450537051359810055noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1194910177777611992.post-63840723197479359682011-05-05T17:07:00.000-04:002011-05-05T17:07:20.900-04:00Pause and Reflect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMocZzL0kMs/TbmaRsnC9oI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3-oWNxk6Mnw/s1600/mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMocZzL0kMs/TbmaRsnC9oI/AAAAAAAAAI4/3-oWNxk6Mnw/s320/mirror.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I celebrated my birthday this week. Kind of a big one for me, as a Christian minister that is. I’m 33. For some that may not seem significant but it is an age that has me very contemplative. Just this past week we celebrated “Holy Week” and Sunday was Easter. Jesus was 33 at the time of His crucifixion. So, here I am, 33.<br />
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Jesus’ earthly ministry (from baptism to crucifixion) lasted 3 years. He changed the world by making an impact on those around Him. While I’m not Jesus, I do serve the same God. So here I am reflecting. What have I done for the Kingdom, what kind of impact have I made on those around me?<br />
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As I have begun to do this, I would ask you do the same. Reflect on your own life, just for a moment. In what ways have you made an impact on those around you?<br />
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all about Christ,<br />
DavidAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146567916374525768noreply@blogger.com2