Good morning guys!
Milton Greenberg
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassion's, they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
bobfr...@comcast.net
Good morning! Thank you.
By the way, I will compassionately point out that "compassions" is plural, not possessive (i.e., no apostrophe).
- Bob Francis
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Pablo Huertas
Pablo Huertas
bobfr...@comcast.net
Guys I'm bringing pizza tonight!
- Bob Francis
Milton Greenberg
The Truth that Calms all Anxiety
June 22
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
One of my favorite sports movies of all time has to be “Rudy,” the true story of Rudy Ruettiger, who after years of striving to play college football, played just a handful of downs as a walk-on at the University of Notre Dame.
There’s one part of the movie where Rudy has been struggling at a small college trying to improve his grades so he can transfer to Notre Dame. He’s frustrated and his time is running out to transfer. So he goes to church to talk to his mentor, a Catholic priest. Rudy shares his frustration and asks the priest if there’s anything he can do to help get him into Notre Dame.
The priest pauses for a moment and replies, “Son, in 35 years of religious studies, I’ve come up with two hard, incontrovertible facts: There is a God. And I’m not Him.”
When times get tough and we’re frustrated and tired, remembering that solemn truth can help us overcome our anxieties. This is not our world; this is not our time; this is God’s Kingdom. He is the One who is ultimately in control. Trust Him with your frustrations and anxieties, and He’ll work everything out for good!
TRUST THE TRUTH THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL AND YOU’LL FIND COMFORT IN THE FACE OF ANXIETY.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
Milton Greenberg
Orphans of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKwKar-MIUk
Who here among us is without guilt or pain
So oft' abandoned by our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this
There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God
Come ye unwanted and find affection
Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this
O blessed Father, look down upon us
We are Your children, we need Your love
We run before Your throne of mercy
And seek Your face to rise above
Milton Greenberg
When I joined in on a gripe-fest about spouses, God taught me a lesson I'll never forget.
Rhonda Rizzo Webb
It was Girls' Night. There we were, five 30-somethings munching on snacks while Sleepless in Seattle played in the VCR. We ate. We giggled. And we complained … about our husbands.
It all started when one of the girls said, "The other day Scott didn't come home from work until 9 o'clock! Then he got on the phone with his old college roommate, and they were still gabbing when I went to bed. Has he forgotten he has a wife?"
The rest of us giggled and muttered, "Men!"
"Scott's an angel compared to my husband," someone else chimed in. "On Thursday, he worked late and went straight to the tennis courts. The kids and I were all in bed before he came home. No call, nothing."
Again we muttered, "Men!"
Then it was my turn. "Jimmy has what I call the Peter Pan Syndrome: He won't ever grow up! It's always something—golf, tennis, hunting … "
Everyone agreed. We were on a roll, and our gripe session ended up lasting almost three hours.
Innocent Girl-Talk?
It never occurred to me that our conversation might not be pleasing to God. I figured it was just innocent girl-talk. Jimmy knows I love him, and hey, everybody else does it, right?
But on my way home, I started to think about Jimmy's every flaw. In the following days, I found myself criticizing him more often—and compounding the problem by complaining to the other women.
I soon realized that griping about my husband wasn't honoring to him. I felt like a traitor, especially after reading Christ's words in Matthew 7:3-5: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
Ouch. That hit me between the, well, eyes. I wanted to pray, "But, Jesus, you don't know my husband." But I knew that wasn't true. I wanted to say, "There's no plank in my eye!" But that wasn't true either.
God started to reveal my own many faults. I soon realized, I'm not dealing with a mere plank. I have an entire lumberyard to clear! As I took an honest inventory of all that "lumber"—especially with the ways I was treating my husband—I began to see Jimmy as less flawed. I realized I'm not the only one in this marriage who has something to complain about!
I constantly lose things, but Jimmy never complains. I forget to do things that are important to him; he doesn't complain. I sometimes spend money foolishly; no complaints. I withhold my feelings, bottling them up until I finally explode. Still, he never complains.
Pulling the Planks
I asked God for forgiveness and decided I wouldn't badmouth Jimmy anymore. And I took Jesus' advice to concentrate on my own "planks," which turned out to be a full-time job.
The Bible tells me to honor, respect, and love my husband. As I began to focus on those things, I discovered I didn't have time to worry about Jimmy's failures.
I also had to admit Jimmy's failures weren't ultimately my problem. They're between him and God—just as my failures are between God and me. While I can pray for Jimmy, if he's not the husband he should be, he ultimately must answer to God. Just as I must answer to God for how I treat my husband.
Not until I have sorted out my own sin can I lovingly speak the truth to Jimmy about his—and then only if God leads. I must pull the plank from my eye before picking at the speck in Jimmy's.
Part of me still wants to say, "Lord, if I don't point out his shortcomings, how will he ever change?" But surely the God of the Universe can reveal Jimmy's weaknesses to him without my help. I just have to trust God.
Whew! What a relief—to me and to Jimmy. No longer do I nag him about every little issue. And no longer do I whine about him to my friends.
Now, when the other girls are grumbling about their hubands, I just say, "I can't complain. I'm just grateful he puts up with me!"
Rhonda Rizzo Webb is author of Words Begin in Our Hearts: What God Says About What We Say (Moody). Visit Rhonda at www.rhondawebb.com.
Copyright © 2004 by the author or Christianity Today/Marriage Partnership magazine.
John Hosie
Sincerely,
John W. Hosie III
From: mlgr...@hotmail.com
To: mlgr...@hotmail.com
Subject: Good FRIDAY morning guys!
Date: Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:18:57 +0000
John Hosie
From: john_...@hotmail.com
To: amfm_m...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: Good FRIDAY morning guys!
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2016 16:31:31 -0400
John Hosie
How about:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciS24hr1BAU
Lyrics:
Lord You know everything I've done
Every thought I've had, You know every one
And Lord You know every time I fall
Still You come to my rescue when I call
Lord You hear every idle word,
Every thoughtless deed, how it seems absurd
That Lord You give, not what I am due
But mercy; You come to my rescue
You come to my rescue, rescue (x4)
Lord You care and You've become my friend
Amazing love whose boundaries have no end
And Lord You show what a greater love can do
By being there for my rescue
And Lord I give all I can give (all my heart)
All of my heart as long as I shall live
So Lord, oh Lord, I just want to thank You
For coming, coming to my rescue
You come to my rescue, rescue (x4)
It's hard to tell You just how grateful I am
But I'm still gonna make it show.
With every breath gonna let You know
I am accepting though I can't comprehend
How I could be worth the cost
When I was bound, despised and lost
Lord I give all I can give (all my heart)
All of my heart as long as I shall live
So Lord, oh Lord, I just want to thank You (I really want to thank you)
For coming, for coming to my rescue
You come to my rescue, rescue (x2)
He is always there for me (rescue, rescue)
And he'll be right, right there for you (rescue, rescue)
Oh Lord I know I don't deserve it (rescue, rescue)
But you love me anyhow (rescue, rescue)
You come to my rescue (rescue, rescue)
Keep on coming to my rescue (rescue, rescue)
Repeat last two lines and fade
Scriptural Reference:
"The Lord upholds all those who fall." Psalm 145:14
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:51:21 +0000
Milton Greenberg
Sent from my iPhone
Milton Greenberg
I Was a Failure at Prayer
And what I learned because of it
Patty Kirk | posted May 1, 2009
Ever since I became a Christian, I've worried about praying. Should I pray to God the Father? To Jesus? To the Comforter God sent to advocate for us after Jesus left our world? Should I favor unmistakably sacred topics—gratitude, praise, others' salvation—over
my daily worries and complaints? And how, precisely, does one go about conversing with someone not physically present?
Expert advice on prayer abounds. At the Christian university where I teach, chapel speakers promote everything from praying directly from Scripture to "just being quiet and listening." Orthodox speakers recommend the "Jesus Prayer": "Lord Jesus, have mercy
upon me, a sinner." Other speakers say prayer is simply a conversation with God, and I think, Simply?! Just a regular old conversation with someone I can't see, hear, or touch, and whose voice is so tricky to sort from others', especially from the voices of
my own hopes and fears?
My measly prayers typically amount to internal gasps of Help! in a crisis or middle-of-the-night anxieties I call "pray-worrying." Occasionally I add a perfunctory—and usually long overdue—remembrance of someone else's problems. Or let out a "Wow!" in recognition
of some dazzling evidence of God's creativity. Sometimes, though, I go whole days without conversing with God at all.
I'm especially ungifted in the area of public prayer. I covet others' ability not only to remember long lists of others' needs but to reformulate them into communiqués that don't sound, as mine do, wacky or false.
And whether I'm praying publicly or privately, I seem incapable of praying for very long. After a minute or two, I get distracted. In bed, I fall asleep. At church, I find myself gazing over the bowed heads around me, trying to remember if I turned off my daughters'
hair straightener. Although I'd like to follow the apostle Paul's advice to pray continually, I can't do it.
Once, on a plane trip, I sat next to an elderly woman wearing a funny little diaphanous bonnet. When I asked about it, she called it her "prayer hat" and said she wore it because the Bible says to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NRSV) and that
women should cover their heads while praying (1 Corinthians 11:5-6). She was a sweet, earnest woman, and I wondered if, somewhere beneath our conversation, she was praying for me even then. I hoped so. Later I discovered she was. We'd exchanged addresses,
and she sent me occasional letters over the next years saying she was still praying for me.
I wish I could pray as she did: for a stranger, years after a chance meeting, continually, and with childlike confidence in even the oddest passages of Scripture.
I can't seem to maintain a regular "quiet time with God," as friends call their prayers. Some of them have devotions every morning, following a reading schedule—the Bible in a year's time or a devotional anthology—that keeps them on track. One friend has a
devotional teatime, filling an extra cup to visualize God's presence. My husband reads a daily Bible chapter over breakfast. I try to follow his example but soon find myself mechanically grading those last three papers or reading one of the magazines accruing
on the breakfast table. I am, in short, a failure at prayer.
Are Some Prayers Better?
I also suffer from prayer envy. I wish I could pray with the steadfastness of my friends and husband. I wish I could pray like Moses, Hagar, and even Cain, whose conversations with God sound as natural and normal as if the Creator of heaven and earth stood
before them in the flesh. I long to pray with the abandon of certain students, who lift their hands or cup them reverently. I've tried to mimic their gestures, hoping to share the accompanying feelings of rapture, but even in private I just feel embarrassed.
I envy even the prayers of my own childhood: blithe, stream-of-consciousness commentaries on daily life—Oops! Oh no! Please help me! Let me not get in trouble!—to an always interested God aware of everything going on in my life at every moment. I wish I could
pray with such trust and candor still, instead of stressing about whether my prayers are adequately holy.
Often I pray about praying itself, thinking to hope into happening what an old farmer once told me had happened to him. As he matured in faith, he told me, God had changed his "want-er."
Change my "pray-er," I've begged God. Make me desire your will, instead of the handy miracles I prefer. Make me pray bigger, longer, less selfishly, more trustingly, more constantly, more as you would have me pray.
One kind friend reassures me that however one prays is okay, but all the prayer advice out there argues otherwise. Also, I know from other friends that I'm not alone in worrying about prayer. We're like the disciples, for whom praying clearly did not come naturally.
They begged Jesus to teach them to pray. They failed to cast out demons because they didn't pray enough. In Gethsemane, when Jesus expressly asked for prayer, they fell asleep. Jesus himself suggested that some prayers are better than others. Responding to
his disciples' plea for instruction, Jesus gave them the Lord's Prayer—and believers ever since have debated whether he intended it as a conversational model or a prayer to be memorized and recited. Jesus faulted a Pharisee for praying too ostentatiously and
commended a tax collector who, "standing far off, would not even look up to heaven" and prayed, in essence, the Jesus Prayer: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" (Luke 18:13, NRSV).
My best prayers, I think, are borrowed. Sometimes, in remorse, I find myself unconsciously mouthing the Act of Contrition of my Catholic childhood: "Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended thee!" Or silently reciting from the Mass, "Lord, I am not
worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." With the father of a demon-possessed boy, I whisper into my skepticism, "Help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NRSV). And I often pray the little girl protagonist's prayer in Flannery O'Connor's
short story, "Temple of the Holy Ghost": "Hep me not to be so mean."
Listening to Myself Pray
Once I got an e-mail from a former creative writing student who, in the wake of several personal disasters, had stopped believing in God. In his e-mail, he reported his life was shaping up and his faith slowly returning. He'd also started writing again—"weird
little devotional essays," he said, like those he remembered me reading aloud in class.
"Does it ever seem to you that your writing is prayer?" he asked.
His question was transformational. Afterward, I felt as though this struggling young believer gave me my prayers—not just my weird little devotional essays but all the other prayers I'd been praying all along. Self-centered, semi-conscious pleas for help I
send up whenever I'm in trouble. Botched efforts to pray through lists of others' needs. Even the set prayers I memorized as a child that rise unbidden from my regret. All are efforts to acknowledge God's presence. All are, in other words, prayer. Failed prayer,
yes. God knows my prayers are vain at times, often ridiculous, always malfocused and inadequate, at best mere mindless moans.
Indeed, as Paul points out, "we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Romans 8:26, NRSV). Our most effectual prayers, he says, are little more than "groaning as in the pains of childbirth" along with the rest of creation (Romans 8:22). Never-theless, he assures
us, "the Spirit helps us in our weakness" and "intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit" (Romans 8:26-27).
It seems strange to me that Jesus, who so often preached on the subject of prayer, left it to Paul to offer us that encouragement. One straightforward bit of prayer advice Jesus offered heartens me, though: "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you
have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24, NRSV). Interestingly, Jesus doesn't say, "believe that you will receive it," but rather, "believe that you have received it." The tense difference argues that God isn't only listening to us when we pray
but has been listening all along.
And that is the promise that informs every prayer I manage to groan out these days. In the asking, Jesus says, we've already received what we desire, although we don't yet know it.
The typical life is full of groaning. Full of prayers. But God hears, and responds to, every prayer. Even if we pray badly. Even if we're so self-centered that we can only pray for our own needs. Even if we pray without really believing God is listening. Even
if we're unaware God is there at all.
Sometimes, listening to myself pray, I sense God listening, too—now mourning with me, now agreeing, now hoping I'll see things differently. In my imagination, God stands invisibly before me, not interrupting, not saying anything, not making any sound at all,
but just breathing my prayer in, like air. In such moments, the most essential prayer that underlies all prayer—the prayer for God's company—has, in the praying, already been answered.
Patty Kirk is an adjunct professor of English at John Brown University and is author of Confessions of an Amateur Believer (Thomas Nelson). www.amateurbeliever.com
Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today/Today's Christian Woman magazine.
Milton Greenberg
Key Bible Verse: "You will see greater things than this." (John 1:50)
Dig Deeper: John 1:35-51
Being a disciple of Jesus means that we are being transformed into his image.
—Francis Chan (Church planter and former teaching pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California)
Two thousand years ago, Jesus walked up to a handful of men and said, "Follow me."
They were ordinary people like you and me. As they went about their business on the day Jesus called them, none of them would have expected his life to change so quickly and completely.
The disciples could not have fully understood what they were getting into when they responded to Jesus' call. Whatever expectations or excitement they felt, nothing could have prepared them for what lay ahead. Everything about Jesus—his teaching, compassion, and wisdom; his life, death, and resurrection; his power, authority, and calling—would shape every aspect of the rest of their lives.
In only a few years, these simple men were standing before some of the most powerful rulers on earth and being accused of "turn[ing] the world upside down" (Acts 17:6, ESV). What began as simple obedience to the call of Jesus ended up changing their lives, and ultimately, the world.
Adapted from Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples ©2012 by Francis Chan. Published by David C Cook. All rights reserved.
Milton Greenberg
Cops at a St. Petersburg, Fla. Bob Evans bow their heads in prayer with a 6-year-old diner. (Kelly Garza/FOX 13)
A young diner in St. Petersburg, Fla. asked a group of police officers to pray with him after enjoying breakfast with his mother on Monday.
Kelly Garza told Fox 13 that she and her 6-year-old son Joshua stopped into a Bob Evans—her son’s favorite restaurant— to eat breakfast after his morning swim lessons. Her son saw the store’s manager’s shaking hands with a policeman while thanking him for his service.
Garza says her son then wanted to offer an original ‘thank you’ to the law enforcement officials.
"He likes to pray at church, he's a big prayer warrior," Garza told Fox 13.
Before leaving the restaurant, Garza says her son approached the officers, who had just gotten their meals, and asked if they could all pray together for their safety.
As they prayed, Garza snapped a photo of Joshua sitting at the table holding hands with the police officers, all bowing their heads in prayer. Garza says her son finished the prayer with, “And please help us all to live a good life. Amen."
The Facebook group America Going Blue, a network of U.S. policemen and first responders, shared the photo on Tuesday.
Garza says her son has had a difficult time since learning about the massacre in Orlando that left 49 dead inside a downtown nightclub. Joshua asked members of his church to pray for the victims’ families.
"He knows what's going on in the world, and he doesn't like it," she said.
But after his prayer with the policemen on Monday, Garza said there wasn't a dry eye in the restaurant.
Pablo Huertas
Pablo Huertas
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Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
Power Plays
Theme of the Week: Putting Politics In Perspective
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Key Bible Verses: "Teacher," they said, "We know how honest you are …. You are impartial and don't play favorites. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" (Matthew 22:16-17)
Dig Deeper: Matthew 22:15-22
When they could take it no longer, the hostile religious elite pressed the issue of politics with Jesus. The same Matthew who left his well-paying job to follow Jesus documents for us the tense exchange [that's recorded in Dig Deeper].
Matthew is careful to note by name the two groups of people who are confronting Jesus: the Pharisees and the Herodians. While many of us see the Pharisees as the self-righteous legalists of their day, loving rules more than people, it's also important to know that they came from a sect that vigorously opposed Rome.
We also see another group in our passage called the Herodians. Like the Pharisees they were also Jewish, but this is where the similarities stop. The Herodians were loyal to King Herod and Rome.
Make no mistake, there is no sense of objectivity among the two groups. Both sides have their own opinions on how things should work, and specifically that agenda centers around the theme of power. The Pharisees want political power by having a Messiah who would overthrow the current regime; the Herodians want to maintain their own political power that has been rationed out to them by the very same government that the Pharisees seek to overthrow.
—Bryan Loritts in A Cross-Shaped Gospel
Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
Patrick Morley July 7, 2016
Yesterday I was reading in my One Year Bible about the boldness of Josiah to reform his nation after decades of slipping. Every year when I read this story I wonder what it would take for God to send us a Reformer like that. But every year it seems like we slip a little further in the wrong direction.
Yet if you have even a single gray hair, you know that while good news rarely turns out to be as good as it first sounds, neither does bad news turn out to be as bad.
I'm sure we all find it very painful to watch as current events unfold in "Bible time" ("with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day"). I wish I had more say. We all do. But we don't.
However, because we are Christians, we believe that God is sovereignly orchestrating all these human events – every circumstance, no matter how random or wrong it sounds. Therefore, we are not relegated to wringing our hands. Because of our doctrines of the fall and sin, this is the world we expected. That's why we don't need to join the chorus of ranting pessimists who are always angry because the world is going to pot. For us there is another way:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
So when you feel the urge to lash out, rejoice instead. Give thanks for ALL of your circumstances – even the ones that seem random and wrong. Why? Because it is God's will for us to be joyful and grateful.
Like a beautiful smile, joy and gratitude attract people toward us like powerful magnets. They make people curious. They wonder, "Why is he like that?"
In the kingdom economy, "rejoicing always" and "giving thanks" is the investment capital that can keep the world from going bankrupt. It's what we can do.
Besides, no one likes an angry prophet. Even if he's right.
dos...@aol.com
bobfr...@comcast.net
Come back and sing with us, Doug! Pablo is back.
- Bob Francis
Milton Greenberg
We will nag you incessantly until you acquiesce to our demand.
Sent: Thursday, July 7, 2016 9:15 AM
To: doshep via AMFM; AM/FM Ministry
Subject: Re: Good morning!
dos...@aol.com
Milton Greenberg
A Right Spirit
Your spirit matters! It’s far more important that you might imagine.
Your “spirit” is the spiritual and emotional atmosphere inside you that you carry into the world around you. It’s your inner world, but it also affects your outer world.
Your spirit is what you are inside. It’s your attitudes, your ways of thinking, your ways of dealing with feelings, experiences and events. These inside things ultimately come out and on to the people around you. They impact and influence others, positively or negatively.
Everyone has a spirit about them. There are ways you internally manage yourself and rub off on others.
The Bible talks a lot about our “spirit.” Here are a few verses:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. — Proverbs 25:28 (NKJV)
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. — Numbers 14:24 (NlV)
What’s God’s Word teaching us about this topic?
The Bible tells us that our spirit is something that we are supposed to “rule over.” It is something that needs to be “right.” It is something God cares about, watches in us, and that actually affects our destiny.
All this means that you must direct, manage, supervise, oversee, take charge of yourself internally. If you don’t, you will be subject and vulnerable to practically anything the devil brings your way. Without control over your spirit, you are like a city without walls!
When Moses sent the 12 spies to check out the Promised Land, something entered the spirit of each spy. Ten of them were infected with the spirit of unbelief, fear, limitation, obstacles and impossibilities. The other 2 guarded their spirits from negativity and adopted a different spirit; one of faith, confidence, enthusiasm, energy!
It’s important to remember that the spirit of the majority of the spies spread. It was contagious. Before long everyone had adopted their attitude. The result was death in the wilderness.
Because Joshua and Caleb protected their spirit, and chose the right spirit, they experienced something none of their friends experienced—the Promised Land!
Your spirit matters, to you, your future, and to others.
You need to protect your spirit from contamination, pollution, and invasions of the adversary! You need to proactively develop the spirit that not only protects you, but that also puts you in a position to positively lift and encourage others.
Here are some practical ways to guard and grow a right spirit:
- Let go of hatred, resentment, bitterness and offense.
- Remove negativity, jealousy, competitiveness and hopelessness from your life.
- Develop a faith filled, positive spirit.
- Have a loving spirit.
- Develop a joyful spirit.
- Have a hope-filled spirit.
- Have a peaceful and peacemaking spirit.
- Develop a contented spirit.
- Have a loyal, committed spirit.
- Seek a pure spirit.
- Develop a properly submitted spirit.
- Develop a hard-working spirit.
- Grow an enthusiastic, passionate spirit.
- Have a pleasant spirit.
- Grow a grateful spirit.
Your spirit matters! Let’s get to work growing and guarding a right spirit!
Pastor Dale
NSR...@aol.com
--
Milton Greenberg
Patrick Morley
To have God on your side is better than having the right strategy. But can you imagine what will happen if you have both?
The problem with "I just trust the Lord" is that if you are working the wrong strategy, you won't know it for several years. And by that time you will have given as many as 5 or 10 years of your life to something that was never going to work in the first place.
Trust God, absolutely. And if you have mental limitations, trust is enough. But if you do have a good mind, part of trusting God is to use the amazing brain he gave us.
"For God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). Bill Bright called this the "sound mind principle."
Milton Greenberg
My wife and I welcomed a wonderful addition to our family in the summer of 2014. In fact, two—we had twins! A double miracle. Two darling baby girls. We are now the proud parents of three miracle wonders: Theresa, Katarina, and our four-year-old son, JJ. There is no greater joy than the miracle of life. Looking at our girls now we can’t help but gloat a bit. What perfection… every hair, every digit, every crinkle in their skin. We are beginning to see them smile. If you hold their gaze long enough, you’ll even get a wink.
And our little girls are learning. They are communicating with cries, facial expressions, and now developing their verbal skills. My first day home from a new position at work, Theresa welcomed me with the sweetest two syllable phrase a father could hear, “Dada.” The simplicity. The wonder. The perfection. A single consonant and vowel repeated once to make the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. All of my striving and effort affirmed and congratulated with the simple, two syllable word of our dear six-month baby girl.
Our God is a master craftsman. We see His handiwork as the infant life takes shape. Every first… the first time they smile, the first laugh, the first time they roll over, and their first word, recalls the miracle of life, showcasing the handiwork of God as His creative power and ingenuity breaks forth again and again.
There is beauty in the simplicity of a baby’s first word. There is also wonderment in all that goes on physiologically to produce speech. Recent studies of human speech describe a complex process involving several body systems working in tandem. Speech begins in the brain when a desired concept is linked with a particular word to be expressed. Conceptualization activates pulmonary pressure in the lungs, which in turn generates sound in the larynx. The process is completed as sound traveling through the throat, oral, and nasal cavities is modified into different vowels and consonants, and fine-tuned by the tongue and lips.
Our God masterfully weaves simplicity with complexity to achieve the beauty and wonder we see all around us in creation. All creation declares the praises of God. There is no exception. The strong and week, the big and small, the old and the young, all bear witness to the glory of God:
You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength. (Psalm 8:2*, NLT)
Looking today at our little ones, I know the same God who accomplishes such glorious works has His eyes on our lives today; each of us, considering how he might shine on you in some unexpected, wondrous way. We know he is able and delights to reveal His perfections:
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. (James 1:17*, NASB)
God freely gives of His goodness and perfection. When the perfection of God breaks forth, you will experience the Lord’s presence, power, and goodness in your life. You will see him work wonders. The God of life, of all creation, the God who made you and renews you each day through His precious Son, is waiting to do something extraordinary in your life today.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesian 2:10, NLT)
Copyright © 2015 Paul J. Palma.
Milton Greenberg
by John UpChurch, Crosswalk.com Contributor
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" Philippians 2:14-16a
The quick burning desire to be an astronomer came during year three of my college experience. That was after philosopher, writer (the first time), and English professor, but before anthropologist, high school teacher, and writer (the second time). You can’t blame a guy for wanting to wring every cent out of his scholarships.
So, in year three, I became convinced that I would study space because... well... because I loved planets and stuff. With the same gusto that had carried me through my philosophy phase, I charged into star charts and calculated orbits with fury and fine-tipped lead pencils. I pored over research on black holes and quasars and stared intently into the night sky trying to figure out how in the world someone could think that a certain cluster of stars could look anything like a person or a goat or whatever.
Then, reality hit in the way of astrophysics. The funny thing about studying the stars is that you have to be able to calculate distances, luminosity, parallaxes, and more fancy terms. I could crunch equations just fine, but that doesn’t mean I found it more satisfying than, say, ripping off a bandage from my legs.
Before I came to know Christ, all that nadir gazing did produce one substantial result in me: deep, deep emptiness. You can’t help but feel how small you are when you peer into the infinite-seeming inkiness of space. The more you see how incomprehensibly expansive everything really is, the more you feel speck-like in the cosmic order. The weight of eternity came crushing in on me.
And in that darkness, I needed light. This “crooked and depraved” man groped about for anything that would shine, some embers of hope. Not finding them in philosophy or books or even astronomy, the pressure just got worse. I kept feeling my way through the darkness into whatever classes the university offered, but through each of my potential career paths, I found nothing that could illuminate the road around me.
Of course, I wouldn’t have put it in those terms back then. At that point, I just knew something was messed up, and I couldn’t figure out what. I needed the “word of life.” But I didn’t know I needed it, and I didn’t know where to find it.
Intersecting Faith & Life: That’s where we come in as Christians. People like the old me don't always even know what gnaws at them. Some have so subverted the pain that it plays out in pursuits of passion: They mute it with noise, clutter, medicine, or flesh. They prefer to find ways to ignore the crushing weight.
And then they see the stars. At least, they should see the stars. I don't necessarily mean the stars in the night, since city lights drown them out for most of us now days. I mean, they need to see the stars around them who shine through their Jesus-emulating behavior. That light has the power to both expose their blindness and help them see.
So, shine. People like the old me are counting on it.
Milton Greenberg
Theme of the Week: Being Light
Monday, July 18, 2016
Key Bible Verse: For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Dig Deeper: 2 Corinthians 4:3-7
When light stands next to darkness, light always wins.
—Samuel Rodriguez (Lead pastor of New Season in Sacramento, California, and president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference)
It is not a coincidence that the first time the universe heard God's voice, the message was not "let there be joy," "peace," or even "love." The voice of the Sovereign, the Divine, the Glorious said: "Let there be light!"
Life requires light. Faith requires light. We cannot deny we live in dark times, yet when light stands next to darkness, light always wins!
Jesus, while speaking to his followers said: "A hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:14-16). If you have the light, don't hide it. Let it shine!
Our challenge is to remove the bowl of apathy, complacency, acquiescence, and fear and once again lay claim to the stand of righteousness so that we may shine before all people. There is an inextinguishable light within each of us, a light that can penetrate and even eliminate the darkest places.
Adapted from Be Light ©2016 Samuel Rodriguez.
Milton Greenberg
Posted by Pastor Dale
Growth brings change. I was recently looking at a picture of my grandchildren, taken a little over a year ago, and was shocked and a bit shaken by how much they had changed. In about 13 months they grew significantly, and their growth changed their appearance, and more. Their conversations are different now. The way we spend time together is different. Their interests have matured. Growth changed them. Growth will continue to change them. The physical growth I see is the result of very active and real biological processes going on inside them that I can’t see.
The truth is, if we’re not changing, we’re not growing. Growth and change are partners. They’re buddies. You can’t have one without the other.
It’s sad to see people who have stopped growing. It’s evident because nothing changes in their attitudes, behaviors, habits, work patterns, interactions or otherwise. They continue down the same old paths of life, work and relationships, never challenging themselves or confronting the things that need to change.
It’s interesting that one of the key words of Scripture is “repent.” Jesus used it to describe the right response to His message:
Matthew 4:17 (NIV) From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The Greek word Jesus used, and that is consistently used in the New Testament for “repent” means “to change attitudes, thoughts and behaviors.” It’s the kind of change that begins on the inside and works its way outward.
I have discovered that lasting change always starts in the heart and mind. If attitudes, values, and ways of thinking are not changed, habits and behaviors will never be permanently changed. It’s only when we see our destructive, dysfunctional, disabling, defeating or divisive ways of thinking that change has a chance. This kind of “seeing” leads to a certain kind of “sorrow” that makes lasting change possible.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (GW) In fact, to be distressed in a godly way causes people to change the way they think and act and leads them to be saved …
The biggest changes in your life are inside you:
The way you think about God, yourself and others.
The way you think about your work and responsibilities.
The way you think about your life and legacy.
The things you value.
Until your inside changes, external changes will never stick!
What changes are needed in you?
Pastor Dale
Milton Greenberg
Birmingham, AL was once one of the most segregated cities in the United States. racial tension had been brewing for years. What added to the problem was when the federal government forced communities to desegregate their all-white public schools.
The film Woodlawn, tells the story of what happened during that time when the school’s racial divided football team is encouraged to unite in faith. Tony Nathan, played by Caleb Castille, would be the spark that the team needed to unite the school and the community. In 1971, the “real” Tony Nathan was a rising freshman when he and many other African-American students were bused from across town to Woodlawn.
Shawn: What was the thought? Were you all happy about it?
“You wonder what they think about you because of the color of your skin, just because you’re different,” said Tony.
Tony grew up with Christian values and was taught to treat everyone equally.
“My parents taught me not to –not judge the book by a cover, to give everybody the time of day, respect them. I mean, to get respect you got to-- really got to earn it,” said Tony.
Those values were put to the test when Tony tried out for Woodlawn’s football team under new head coach Tandy Gerelds. From the first day of summer football practice, trouble started brewing between white and black players.
“They noticed the ability that you had going in. And eventually, if you was playing the same position, you was going to take them. I was looking to take the spot, to tell you the truth, I was looking to play.”
Some of the players tried to get under Tony’s skin.
Shawn: What type of things were said?
“N” word. You was called black this, black that. Coon,” said Tony.
The team wasn’t very good Tony’s freshman year. By his sophomore season he had earned a the starting job at free safety. The player whose position he took was white, and confronted Tony, claiming it was his spot. It was then that coach Gerelds made it clear where he stood.
“He said no, this is not what you’re going to –this is my team. I’ll do what I want to do so go sit down,” said Tony.
The next season, Tony was moved to running back where he really began to shine. By then, coach Gerelds was having some success getting players to tolerate their teammates.
“The way Coach Gerelds was, you know, okay we hate one another true enough. Use that hatred for something good, to go out and win football games,” said Tony.
However, there were many who didn’t want change. In the movie, that’s when Hank Erwin played by Sean Astin approached coach Geralds and asked for permission to address the team during summer practice. It was actually local Evangelist Wales Goebel, Hank was working with him.
Shawn: What actually happened?
“He told us about Christ and that was the plan and making up for us and it was like, how are you going to ??, how do you know? You know. And then all of a sudden he just said look, you know, the plan is that you make the commitment to Him. He’ll make a commitment to you.”
One of the white players was the first to accept Christ and the challenge of commitment. Tony was the second. Then, practically the entire team one by one went down to accept Christ into their hearts. At the next practice Tony says he could feel a difference amongst the team in the locker room.
“Once everybody got, you know, made the commitment, it was like there was no color. Things just changed.”
Hank Erwin became the school’s sports chaplain. He convinced Tony that he was he was playing a greater purpose.
Shawn: Did you feel like you were playing for something greater?
“I get chills now even thinking about some of the conversations I used to have with Hank. He said well, do your plan for God, there’s a higher calling that you plan for. Give it all to Him and He’ll bless you tenfold. Things started to happen. We started winning,” said Tony.
As the players united in faith and purpose, the school and the community began to come together in unity to support the team. Tony’s senior year, they ended the season 9-1 losing to their rival Banks high school for a playoff berth in a game deemed the greatest game in Alabama high school football history with over 42,000 spectators. Shortly after, Tony was recruited by legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant to play for the University of Alabama. After 4 years and the 1978 National Championship, Tony was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 1979 NFL draft. In nine seasons with the Dolphins, he helped them reach two superbowls. He recently released a book entitled Touchdown Tony: Running with a Purpose, where he tells his story with even greater insight. And hopes readers will understand the importance of faith in sports and the influence one can have through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
“If you believe in the game plan that somebody gives you to execute, having faith in Jesus Christ is the same. It’s a game plan. His game plan. You just got to have faith and walk with Him,” said Tony.
Milton Greenberg
Posted by Pastor Dale
This is baseball season. I’m not sure if you’re a fan or have a favorite team, or even follow the sport at all, but there’s a lesson I learned recently from some baseball stats that might encourage you. It’s about what it take to move from being an average batter to a superstar hitter.
The source of this statistic reported that an average batter in Major League Baseball gets about 270 hits per 1,000 times at bat. How many hits do you think the superstar hitters get?
Approximately 320 per 1,000 times at bat! The difference is only 50 more hits out of 1,000 attempts!
But the numbers get even more interesting. Generally a MLB player has about 500 times at bat each season. This means that the difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary batter is actually 25 hits! To move from an ordinary batter to a super duper hitter, the focus is simple, hit the ball 25 more times throughout the 162 games of the season. It’s not a lot more, but the little more is what separates the good from the great. This brings meaning to the familiar definition of “extraordinary” –– simply adding some “extra” to the “ordinary!”
It’s true in every realm of life. Here’s the beautiful reality: small but significant improvements in the right areas, extra effort given to the right things, a bit more focus on key goals, a little more time given to praying, studying, planning, thinking, serving, giving or doing; these “extras” set you apart from the average. And who wants to be average!?!
How can you increase your “batting average?” How can you improve in the important areas of your life? Pay attention to the little “extras!”
Pastor Dale
Milton Greenberg
Dr. Eliyahu (Eli) Lizorkin-Eyzeneberg
One of the best-known passages in the Gospels is the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus, in John 3:1-21. Several texts found in the Talmud mention one “Nakdimon ben Gurion”. The following points emerge as we peruse the Jewish extra-biblical literature:
Nakdimon ben Gurion was responsible for not only uttering a prayer that caused rain to fall, but also uttering a subsequent prayer that caused the sun to shine. Ta’anith, III.19b; Gittin, 56a; Avodah Zarah, 25a.)
Nakdimon ben Gurion was a man of great wealth, listed among three rich Jerusalemites who gave of their resources to supply Jerusalem for three years during the siege of Vespasian’s troops during the Jewish War. (Tractate Gittin, 56a.)
A Nakdimon ben Gurion is also mentioned in Ketuboth 65-67, as a man of great wealth who, in arranging his daughter’s marriage, attained one million gold denarii but was later impoverished through either the fall of Jerusalem or his own pride in giving alms.
In Jewish War, 2.451, Josephus confirms Nakdimon ben Gurion’s great wealth.
With the exception of Josephus, the texts mentioning Nakdimon ben Gurion are all much later than John’s Gospel, although they may indeed preserve earlier traditions. All of this evidence taken together indicates that, if John’s Nicodemus is the Nakdimon ben Gurion (which he most likely is) spoken of in Josephus and the Talmudic literature, then much of Nicodemus’ behavior in the Gospel can be better understood now that we know a bit more about him.
Nicodemus addresses Jesus using the respectful term “Rabbi,” (Ῥαββί), which acknowledges that, despite the acrimony towards him, Jesus was still someone important, even for a powerful member of the Jerusalem ruling elite. The term “we know” most likely refers to a group of leaders inside the Sanhedrin who thought Jesus was indeed a very positive figure. Although there may have been other reasons for doing so, it is likely that the reason Nicodemus came to Jesus at night was to avoid being seen and questioned about him by others within the Ioudaioi system (the Jerusalemite leadership establishment).
Ancient Judaism celebrated several rituals which marked the stages of the Jewish life cycle, beginning with birth and circumcision (Gen 17:10-14; Josephus, Ant. 1.10.5), continuing on to ordination and various levels of Jewish leadership, and culminating in the death of that individual at a ripe age. Nicodemus was in his final stage of such a life cycle (ripe age and high-level Jewish leadership status) when Jesus surprised him with his statement that “you must be born again.” Later in the story, Jesus respectfully challenges Nicodemus’ affiliation with the Ioudaioi by saying: “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” (Jn. 3:10)
In John 3:8 we read that Jesus explained to Nicodemus that God’s Spirit is an unbridled personal cosmic force that submits to the leadership of God alone. This personal cosmic force brings about the new birth that allows someone to be counted among those belonging to the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ rhetorical question to Nicodemus was also a challenge to the authority of the Ioudaioi (Jerusalemite leadership) of which Nicodemus, at least for the time being, was still a part. Throughout the Gospel we see that the Ioudaioi (regularly and inaccurately translated as “the Jews”) show themselves to be clueless and insensitive to the things of the Spirit. It is no wonder that Nicodemus, one of the best and most spiritually aware of them, does not know what the One sent by God has in mind. Jesus continued his conversation with Nicodemus around the familiar theme of the Son of Man. This was a well-known Jewish concept at the time of Jesus. For example, the Book of Enoch speaks about a divine eschatological figure: the Son of Man.
You can order Dr. Eli's books on Amazon (click here).
We read:
“And in that place I saw the fountain of righteousness which was inexhaustible: and around it were many fountains of wisdom; and all the thirsty drank of them, and were filled with wisdom, fountains of wisdom… And at that hour that Son of Man was named in the presence of the Lord of Spirits, and his name before the Head of Days. Yea, before the sun and the signs were created, before the stars of the heaven were made, His name was named before the Lord of Spirits. He shall be a staff to the righteous whereon to stay themselves and not fall, and he shall be the light of the Gentiles… All who dwell on earth shall fall down and worship before him, and will praise and bless and celebrate with song the Lord of Spirits. And for this reason hath he been chosen and hidden before Him, before the creation of the world and for evermore.” (1 Enoch 48) “… and from henceforth there shall be nothing corruptible; for that Son of Man has appeared, and has seated himself on the throne of his glory, and all evil shall pass away before his face, and the word of that Son of Man shall go forth and be strong before the Lord of Spirits.” (1 Enoch 69)
This Enochite Jewish tradition is of course working very closely with texts like Daniel 7:13-14:
“I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.”
The most-likely reason why the early Jewish ordering of the books (Septuagint) that had Daniel in the Prophets section was later rearranged (Daniel was downgraded to be included into Writings section of the Hebrew Bible) was because it rightfully gained its central place in theology of the followers of the Jewish Christ.
Without fully realizing it Nicodemus was in conversation with the Son of Man spoken of by Daniel and that fact alone made it no ordinary conversation.
Let us keep thinking about these matters together. The Bible does not need to be rewritten, but it needs to be reread.
Milton Greenberg
Synchronized for success
One of the things I love about living in the Washington, DC area is the beauty of the four seasons. We get them all-Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. Each has it's own enchantment and attraction. And if you get tired of one, just wait a bit and eventually a new season will arrive.
Success in life involves an understanding of seasons. It's something lots of people never really think about. A successful life or enterprise is not only about your skills, abilities and knowledge; it's also about your timing! Doing the right thing at the wrong time can be unproductive and even potentially disastrous.
To experience the best for your life you must become a student of seasons. You must not only know how to recognize them but also how to appropriately work them.
The Bible talks a lot about seasons. It describes some of the activities that are required for success in the various seasons of life. Because of the agrarian culture of biblical times, most references to seasons focus on the farming cycles of plowing, planting, cultivating and harvesting.
Take a look at a few Bible passages that describe the importance of recognizing and working "in season:"
Proverbs 20:4 (NLT) Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food at the harvest.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT) So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.
2 Timothy 2:6, 7 (MSG) It's the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.
Every good farmer knows that plowing, planting and cultivating come before harvesting. You can't change the order and be successful. To be a great farmer, you first need to be able to recognize these seasons. You must understand when the right work needs to be done. If an aspiring farmer doesn't know the difference between plowing and harvesting season, they're doomed before they even begin. Farming 101 is "Know your seasons!"
After a budding farmer passes the "know the seasons" test, their next step is to learn how to do the right things in the right ways at the right times. They must understand what tools, efforts, priorities, and activities are required to be productive in the proper season. If you want a successful crop you don't use a combine machine when you need a plow and you don't use a plow when you need a combine machine!
Finally, all this knowledge is useless unless the farmer rolls up his or her sleeves and actually does the right work at the right time in the right way. Dreaming, writing or talking about a having a beautiful farm with incredible harvests doesn't a successful farm make! Only wise, hard work does!
When all these are in place, farmers are in the place of cooperating with God's seasons. They are synchronized for success!
How well do you recognize life seasons? Do you know when you need to be plowing, planting, cultivating or harvesting? Have you learned the skills and resources you need for success in each season? Are you cooperating with God's seasons? Are you "synchronized for success?"
Pastor Dale
Milton Greenberg
Your Husband Can’t Make You Happy
My husband and I have been married for 24 years—and happily married for 20. Those first few years were awful. Sex was awful. School was stressful. Money was tight.
Yet after years of tears and clenched fists and wondering, Why doesn’t he just get me? I finally figured out an important truth: My husband can’t make me happy. And I’m not sure God ever designed him to.
That’s because happiness is based on circumstances. Yet circumstances are the one part of our lives over which we have virtually no control. Even if “the pursuit of happiness” gives the impression of lacing up those running shoes and training for a marathon, it’s actually quite a passive endeavor. Since you can’t control circumstances, pursuing happiness means constantly scanning your surroundings to see if they make you happy. And as soon as you start doing that, you’ll find all the reasons why your circumstances don’t measure up.
God never intended us to be passive. He made us to actively engage this world and to shine in it. So perhaps we need another route to happiness in marriage—one that is far more likely to get us to the finish line. And it starts not with fixing our husbands but with fixing our own hearts.
Pursue Joy
I think of happiness as quite distinct from joy or contentment. Joy looks upward, contentment looks inward, and happiness looks outward. Joy says, “How great is our God!” Contentment says, “It is well with my soul.” And happiness says, “All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.” But you can’t appreciate what’s outside of you until you’re at peace with what’s inside. And that requires focusing on God first.
Psalm 37:4 gives a similar roadmap: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV). This doesn’t mean that when we delight ourselves in God he gives us everything we want; it means that when we delight ourselves in God, he actually changes what we want. Instead of saying, “I’ll be happy as soon as my husband ____________ (fill in the blank),” we start looking with gratitude at what God has done for us. That makes us see our husbands with different eyes too.
Take Responsibility for Your Own Happiness
Running after God first was a lesson that Julie, now 43, had to learn in her early days as a mom. She wasn’t prepared for life with two active, health-challenged little boys who didn’t sleep. She was desperate. But her husband was just as out of his element as she was!
In Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti, Bill and Pam Farrel explain that one of men’s motivators is being able to fix things. But what if his wife has a problem he can’t fix? Too often he’ll retreat because no guy likes to feel inadequate.
As Julie’s mood deteriorated, her husband did indeed pull back. One day Julie realized nothing was going to change until her attitude did.
She jumped on the Joy track and started looking for ways to bring God into her daily life. She began to conversationally pray “without ceasing.” She turned to Scripture not to fix her problems but just to see Jesus. And she began to fill her life with things that refreshed her that she had let slip since she had become a mom. She started going for bike rides again. She began to write. And these things helped bring that even keel she craved.
Most of all, she realized this: My happiness is a gift I can give my husband. When she pursued joy and found happiness, she handed him a gift because she was saying to him, “You don’t have to fix anything. You’re off the hook.” When we look to God first, we free our husbands to be who God made them to be, not who we want them to be. And that changes the whole dynamic in the relationship.
Deal with Sin
Julie learned that happiness was out of reach until she dealt with her own stuff. But happiness is out of reach until we deal with our marriage stuff too. Jesus wants to bring wholeness to our lives and our marriages, and that wholeness can only come when we deal with our issues honestly.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV). We’re to make peace, not just keep peace. And in our marriages, too many of us keep the peace. We’re so afraid of conflict that we try to keep issues from reaching the surface. Yet lack of conflict is not the same as real peace—where we’re united in thought and mind (1 Corinthians 1:10). Real peace only comes when we stop hiding from reality and we bring our mess to God—even if that means rocking the boat.
When Anna found pornography on her husband Paul’s computer on the night of their seventh anniversary, she could have ignored it. But she didn’t. She called her brother, and he came over and helped Anna talk with Paul. They arranged for Paul to find an accountability partner. And Paul, who had been struggling with a secret sin for almost two decades, was finally put on the road to healing. As he found freedom from porn, Anna finally found that thing that “she couldn’t put her finger on” that was missing from her marriage.
Our culture teaches that “love should last a lifetime” with relatively little effort on our part. If we have to work at it, then it’s not true love, right?
Yet Jesus gives us a different route to happiness. It’s not to aim for it; it’s to aim for him instead. That’s not passively waiting for someone to make our life better; it’s actively pursuing God’s best for us, for our husbands, and for our marriage. Even if it’s hard. And even if it rocks the boat.
I learned a long time ago that my husband can’t make me happy. But I have a very happy marriage. And so I’ll keep running after Jesus because that’s the only way I can really experience my husband’s love too.
Sheila Wray Gregoire’s latest book, 9 Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage, challenges some of the Christian pat answers we often hear about marriage and points us to Jesus in the midst of our mess instead. A prolific author and speaker, she blogs at ToLoveHonorAndVacuum.com.
Copyright © 2015 by Sheila Wray Gregoire and Christianity Today
Milton Greenberg
One who is married is concerned about . . . how she may please her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:34 NASB
What usually happens when you and your spouse get into a disagreement? If you're like most couples--according to the research of Dr. John Gottman, professor emeritus at the University of Washington--the wife does six times the amount of fussing and scolding,
and the husband is 85 percent more likely to be the one who goes into stone-wall mode.
But as Emerson Eggerich told our radio audience recently, it's not merely the amount of the wife's talking that pushes her husband into silence and rejection. It's the way she talks.
To every wife reading this, I know that this just seems to confirm that every man is overly sensitive and not willing to deal with the truth. But Emerson, who has over two decades of experience helping couples, asks you to take this challenge: "After you've
had a fight with your husband, go into the bathroom, shut the door and reenact your responses as best as you can in front of the mirror. Look at yourself and how you're coming across. Is there any man in your husband's world who talks to him that way? Is there
anybody in his world who talks to him that way?"
Usually, all you have to do to avoid his stonewalling is to soften the tone, brighten the facial expression and control the pointing finger. You can pretty much talk to him all day long--even with deep, impassioned emotion--if you avoid berating, dismissing
and emasculating him.
Men are typically able to handle negative content. We do it all day long. We just can't easily handle it when it comes across with the volume turned up on contempt. The disrespect drowns out the message from being heard.
If the goal is communication, the gateway to his heart is through respect, even when you don't think he deserves it.
Discuss
Is this pattern true of your marriage? What makes you want to attack verbally? What makes you want to clam up?Pray
Pray that you will better understand how to communicate with one another with mutual respect.Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
When a man kneels before you it's hard to remain standing.
It feels weird to look down at someone when they're kneeling before you in abject humility. In a Jerusalem conference I found myself in this position before a highly respected veteran Korean church leader. He was repenting for his country's callousness toward Jewish suffering, and passive anti-Semitism during and after the Holocaust.
So, I got on my knees facing him. Then he began weeping, sobbing with regret and a broken heart for our people. I listened and watched, gripped by the intensity of Han Sik Kim's emotion. I could only put my arms around my brother while he wept. In each other's arms, a Korean and an Israeli, we were united by Yeshua.
What had released this wave of repentance, joined by the several hundred Korean believers in the conference session?
In part, it was my repentance before them earlier in the evening. I had said:
"My place, our place tonight as Israelis, is to repent before you, for not serving you ... the nations for whom we were given responsibility by Almighty God. We have not given you a good example. Our calling, from Abraham onwards has been to bless all the nations of the earth and to serve you as faithful priests - bringing prayers and atonement before God on your behalf. Instead, we profaned God's holy name by our idolatry. Yet, He promised to sanctify His great name by bringing us out of the nations and back into our own land - which is why you have come to Eretz Yisrael, to see this redemption in progress with your own eyes."
When I expressed this openly, asking the group to forgive us, I felt a shudder pass through the room. Something broke. Genuinely humbling one's self can be unnerving, but it produces a mirror response. After I spoke, Brother Kim came up to repent before me, and all Israel.
Humility begets humility.
Repentance begets repentance.
Love begets love.
Today, we are in a unique situation. Today we see, for the first time in nearly 2000 years, both the awakening body of disciples throughout the Nations - and in restored Israel. I believe that is why our friends from the Nations come to Israel. They long to take part in an historic opportunity.
How shall we enter into His end-time plan together? God is calling us into levels of cooperation we have only begun to glimpse - on every level - from the personal to the familial, to the congregational, to the regional and beyond.
This will take mutual humility.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up" (James 4:10).
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By Eitan Shishkoff |
Milton Greenberg
Posted by Pastor Dale on 01 Aug 2016
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely have had a conversation or a thousand with your children about listening and obeying. From early on, a major part of training kids involves teaching them to pay attention to the instructions and commands you give them for their good, and to follow them!
Guess what? God has the same challenge with you and me. Although you would think that adults would know better, the reality is, we don’t!
Take a look at what Moses told the Israelites during a very significant time for the nation:
Deuteronomy 4:1, 2 (NLT) And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.
In these verses we find Moses preparing the Israelites for their eventual entrance into the Promised Land. He emphasized two simple but positive, life-changing practices: listening and obeying.
Obedience is the key to blessing. Obeying God means that we lay aside our preferences, rationalizations, justifications, arguments, need for dialogue, information and discussion and do what we’re directed, instructed or commanded to do. It means that we submit our will to the One who is wiser, greater and stronger. Obedience is the real test of submission and surrender. It’s the only true demonstration of living under God’s authority. Actions speak louder than words.
But something must happen before we obey. Listening, and listening well precedes obedience. You will not obey what you haven’t heard, and you will not obey well what you haven’t heard well or accurately.
The onus for listening is personal. God doesn’t listen for us. Other people aren’t responsible for how effectively we listen. We have to do the listening ourselves. Listening and listening well to instructions, directives and guidance given is our responsibility. It’s an ability that each person must choose to develop and engage.
One of the most important capacities you’ll ever develop is listening skills. There are many people who miss out on blessings, promotions, or opportunities for advancement because they haven’t learned to listen, or haven’t learned to listen well. God was concerned that this would happen to the Israelites. That’s why Moses addressed it at this critical time in their history. Lack of listening could and would rob their possibilities and potential.
Good listening starts with personal desire for growth. If I don’t listen well to the instructions, guidance, feedback, help, directives, etc. that are given to me I will not grow. If I don’t grow, I can’t be all God designed me to be. My effectiveness is linked to my capacity and willingness to listen. This makes listening the first step toward all great things in life.
The result of listening well is change. Changed behavior, changed attitudes, changed approaches, changed thoughts, changed responses, changed skills, and changed character.
How well do you listen? What will you do to improve your listening skills?
Pastor Dale
Milton Greenberg
Refined by Fire
1 Peter 1:6-7
God is always at work in our lives. Even during seasons of adversity, He wants to accomplish something powerful and good. How should this knowledge affect our response? Today's passage teaches us to choose to rejoice during difficult times. This doesn't mean
we have to be happy about the hardship itself. Instead, joy comes from drawing close to the Lord and believing steadfastly that through His redemptive power, He is growing and preparing us. If your usual response to trials is anxiety, anger, or depression,
the idea of having joy in the midst of a negative situation might not seem logical. However, if you look beneath the surface, you will discover that this biblical directive makes sense for several reasons.
Often, our natural reaction to pain is to run in the opposite direction, and as fast as possible. However, God wants to teach us endurance--much like a long-distance runner builds up strength in training--so that we can fully benefit from what He is doing in
our hearts. He uses trials as a refining fire to purify us like gold and bring us to greater spiritual maturity. As we realize that we are actually being made more complete through our adversities, we'll begin to face challenging times with confidence that
He always has our best interest in mind.
While a worldly viewpoint sees hope and joy in the midst of dark times as naïve, a spiritual perspective discerns that we're really progressing on a journey toward life at its fullest. We can be filled with supernatural joy, knowing that the Lord is making
us into world-changing spiritual warriors.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.
Milton Greenberg
Dr. Eliyahu (Eli) Lizorkin-Eyzeneberg
There is probably not a single person alive who isn’t familiar with the word “Hallelujah”. We’ve all heard this word repeated time and again in various contexts. Hallelujah is a Hebrew loan word, which means it was incorporated into the English language from Hebrew. But what does this word mean in Hebrew?
The word “Hallelujah” (הללויה) is actually two Hebrew words put together: “Hallelu” (הללו) and “Yah” (יה). Words like this are called compound words. Literally “Hallelu” is an exhortation to praise someone or something, addressed to more than one person. The old English translation of “Praise, ye” is, therefore, accurate. “Yah” is a version of יהוה “YHWH” – the English transliteration of the covenant name of Israel’s God.
Jewish belief holds that this name is too holy to be pronounced at all. And regardless, no one knows how to pronounce it correctly, since the original Hebrew did not use vowels but only consonants. Most translators, both Jewish and Christian, used the word “Lord” instead, which is a rough translation of another Hebrew name for God (אֲדונָי Adonai).
To signify that YHWH in particular is the original Hebrew word used in the text - all capital letters were used (“LORD” and not simply “Lord”). In Jewish tradition for many centuries people referred to this most holy name of God by simply referring to it as “The Name” (HaShem) or at times even the longer replacement versions such as “Holy One, Blessed be He” (HaKadosh Baruchu).
Today’s modern Christ followers are divided over the appropriateness of the translation (LORD) some preferring to pronounce the actual name (forbidden for pronunciation in Judaism) believing that this makes the faith more authentic and original, while others stick with the Jewish/Christian traditional ways of expressing their devotion. No matter on what side of the debate we find ourselves, we must both affirm the much needed authenticity and Israelite character of our prayers without losing sight of the graciousness of Israel’s God who is far more concerned for our hearts than about our grammar.
Milton Greenberg
Dallas officers honored with 'Shields of Strength'
An outpouring of support for the Dallas Police Department has come from individuals and organizations all over the nation after the killing of five police officers earlier this month.
Friday afternoon at Dallas police headquarters, Point 27, a Georgia nonprofit, donated 3,200 silver "Shields of Strength" dog tags to the department.
The organization also delivered 50 folded-flag necklaces to the department for the families of the victims. Each dog tag and necklace is engraved with a Scripture to honor the fallen officers, their families and those left behind at DPD.
Point 27 representative Marcia Davis presented the tokens of support and gratitude to DPD Executive Assistant Chief David Pughes. The department lost four officers -- Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith and Patrick Zamarripa -- in the downtown ambush by Micah Johnson after a peaceful protest on July 7. The fifth officer killed, Brent Thompson, worked for DART.
Davis read aloud a letter from retired U.S. Army Col. David Dodd, a member of Point 27's board. Dodd wrote the letter to Police Chief David Brown after the shootings.
“Thank you for your leadership, courage and perseverance in the face of great adversity,” he wrote. “We pray for God’s mercy, comfort and strength for you and the brave men and women you lead.”
The 100 pounds of dog tags will be distributed to DPD officers. According to Davis, 4 million people across the country have a tag, including veterans, first responders, athletes and chronically ill people.
“This means a lot to our officers and the families,” Pughes said to Davis as she put a shield around his neck. “We will hold this close to our heart. On behalf of all the men and women in our department, thank you.”
During a difficult time, the show of support means a lot to Dallas officers.
“When you often feel like you’re unappreciated, the support from across the country just leaves you speechless,” DPD Sgt. Warren Mitchell said. “Going through such a tragedy, there’s no way to take away the pain. But it certainly can ease the pain to know that you’re not going through it by yourself.”
Milton Greenberg
When people hear that God loves them, they may assume this means He is content with the way they are.
As C.S. Lewis explains in The Problem of Pain, however, the opposite is true:
When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God loves man: not that He has some ‘disinterested’ … concern for our welfare, but that, in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love. You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the ‘lord of terrible aspect’, is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way, not the cold philanthropy of a conscientious magistrate, nor the care of a host who feels responsible for the comfort of his guests, but the consuming fire Himself, the Love that made the worlds, persistent as the artist’s love for his work and despotic as a man’s love for a dog, provident and venerable as a father’s love for a child, jealous, inexorable, exacting as love between the sexes. How this should be, I do not
know: it passes reason to explain why any creatures, not to say creatures such as we, should have a value so prodigious in their Creator’s eyes. It is certainly a burden of glory not only beyond our deserts but also, except in rare moments of grace, beyond our desiring…
Man does not exist for his own sake. ‘Thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.’1 We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the Divine love may rest ‘well pleased’. To ask that God’s love should be content with us as we are is to ask that God should cease to be God: because He is what He is, His love must, in the nature of things, be impeded and repelled by certain stains in our present character, and because He already loves us He must labour to make us lovable… What we would here and now call our ‘happiness’ is not the end God chiefly has in view: but when we are such as He can love without impediment, we shall in fact be happy.2
God loves us not because we are loveable but because He is love. And because He is love, He can only will what is best for us, which is to be transformed into a being of holy love like Himself. He will settle for nothing less. As we meditate on God’s love for us, especially in the cross of Christ, our love for God and our neighbor will increase, and our hearts will become more and more like God’s — filled with love.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Milton Greenberg
The Institution of Atonement [‘at-one-ment’] with God
Daniel Dapaah
Associate Pastor, Parkwood Baptist Church, Annandale VA
Newsletter, August 2016
For most Christians, the death of Jesus is understood as substitutionary atonement, a notion that was fully developed in 1097 by St. Anselm, archbish-op of Canterbury. Human sin (our disobedience) created a chasm between us and God. In order for God to forgive sin and its punishment, a price must be paid (or a substitutionary sacrifice must be offered). Only Jesus, the perfect, spotless, and blameless Lamb (Son of God) could satisfy the debt (Heb 4:14-15; 7:11-28). Moreover, because Jesus was provided by God, the system of atonement also affirmed grace (Rom 3:23-25; Heb 4:16).
The Old Testament provides the background for a proper understanding of atonement. Before the Israelites could enter the land of Canaan, God asked them to build a tabernacle, a sacred tent, where His presence would manifest among His people (Exodus 25:8). In this sacred place, Israel’s sinfulness would be atoned for through various animal sacrifices, and her status as God’s holy, set-apart people would be established (Lev 1-7). Each sacrifice served a slightly different purpose, but together they provided a robust biblical picture of atonement, the reconciliation of God and humankind through the forgiving or pardoning of human sin. Let’s review five significant atonement sacrifices and how they foreshadowed Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice.
(i) Burnt offering: atonement to remove guilt (Lev 1:3-7): The details of this offering seem bizarre, because most of us have never been around slaughtered animals (we are used to packaged meat in the supermarket aisle). But the Israelites were largely herdsmen familiar with preparing animals for human consumption. This offering called for an unblemished domestic animal owned by the worshiper (it was per-sonal and costly); the worshiper participated in the sacrifice (by laying hands on the head of the animal and witnessing its violent death as it was cut into piec-es by the priest). Jesus offered Himself, “with his own blood, thus obtaining [our] eternal redemption” (Heb 9:11-14).
(ii) Grain offering: atonement to restore worshiper to service (Lev 2:1-16): The grain (or bread or flour) offering often accompanied an animal sacrifice, but it could be independent as well. Like the burnt offering, the grain offering was costly because its preparation included olive oil and frankincense. This offering is a reminder of the worshiper’s depend-ence on God, the provider and source of all things. It also served to restore the worshiper to service after sin or sickness had disrupted service to God. Jesus drew on the agricultural imagery of grain to explain the meaning of His death: “Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).
(iii) Fellowship offering: atonement to reconcile worshiper to God (Lev 3:1-5): Of all the sacrifices specified in Leviticus, only the fellowship of-fering could be eaten by the worshiper. It is also called “the peace offering” because the Hebrew term for the offering is related to the word shalom (peace, wholeness). This provides an important insight into the symbolism of the sacrifice—reconciliation to God so that the worshiper may enjoy fellowship with Him. Jesus not only reconciles us to God, but He is our “Peace” (Eph 2:12-14).
(iv) Sin offering: atonement to purify our hearts (Lev 5:1-13): Every sin (sin of omission, commission, or impulsiveness) defiled and had to be dealt with precisely so that the sinner could be cleansed. Included in the sin offering was the requirement for the high priest to offer a young bull for his own sin before he could officiate (Lev 16:3). The sin offering was then taken outside the camp and burned completely (Lev 16:27). However, there was no need for Jesus, our perfect sin offering, to purify Himself (Heb 7:26-27; 2 Cor 5:21). Yet, “he suffered and died “outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people by his own blood” (Heb 13:11-12).
(v) Restitution offering: atonement to cleanse the conscience (Lev 5:14-19): This offering (aka “guilt, trespass,” or “reparation” sacrifice) was concerned with repairing the damage done to others. It included misuse of “any of the Lord’s holy things”; violating the “Lord’s commands concerning anything prohibited”; and trespassing against a neighbor, either through theft, deceit, or oppression. The only animal acceptable for this sacrifice was an “unblemished ram.” In instances where financial loss was incurred, the repayment attracted an additional 20% penalty (Lev 5:15-18; 6:1-4). The restitution offering made things right with God and neighbor.
Again, Jesus is the perfect high priest and sacrifice who cleanses our conscience and brings us into joyful service to God (Heb 9:13-14)! “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). May we accept His sacrifice of atonement for our sins and be in har-mony (“at-one”) with Him!
Milton Greenberg
"The whole system of my politics is summed up in this one verse, "The Lord reigns! Let the nations tremble! Psalm 99:1"
"The times look awfully dark indeed; and as the clouds grow thicker - the stupidity of the nation seems proportionally to increase. If the Lord had not a remnant here, I would have very formidable apprehensions. But He loves His children; some are sighing and mourning before Him, and I am sure He hears their sighs, and sees their tears. I trust there is mercy in store for us at the bottom; but I expect a shaking time before things get into a right channel - before we are humbled, and are taught to give Him the glory."
"The state of the nation, the state of the churches - both are deplorable! Those who should be praying - are disputing and fighting among themselves! Alas! how many professors are more concerned for the mistakes of government - than for their own sins!"
- John Newton, (1725-1807) pastor, writer of Amazing Grace, excerpt from Letters of John Newton
Milton Greenberg
Quotes To Muse and Use
Put These in Your Pipe and Smoke 'Em
"If we never have headaches through rebuking our children, we shall have plenty of heartaches when they grow up." -Charles Haddon Spurgeon
"The gospel isn't just the diving board off of which we jump into the pool of Christianity; it's the pool itself. It's the way we begin in Christ; it is the way we grow in Christ." - J. D. Greear
- Billy Sunday, evangelist
Milton Greenberg
Handling Difficult Circumstances By Dr. Charles Stanley
Philippians 3:8-11
The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord's work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.
However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I'm not saying you'll forget what you're going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren't going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.
The Lord's principles and promises don't change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances--God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul's call to rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4).
Milton Greenberg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8mC5Uaikaw
C D
Seeking truth with every single page he turned
G Em
Anyone could see my daddy lived what he believed
C D
With a gentle heart and passion for Jesus? blood
Em C
I know we had our times we disagreed
Em D
But the longer I live it?s clear to me
Chorus:
G D
I want to be that man
Em C
Who loves the Lord with all his heart just like the Word commands
G D Em C
Who takes a stand and leads his family as he holds the Father?s hand
D G
I want to be that man
Verse 2
G Em
Society would say there?s a new ideal today
C D
Not what you give, it?s more about what you can get
G Em
But I want to live a life that?s marked by sacrifice
C D
Like the Savior who died to show us all the way
Em C
So I?ll take up my cross and trace His steps
Em D
Surrendering is how I serve Him best
Chorus:
G D
I want to be that man
Em C
Who loves the Lord with all his heart just like the Word commands
G D Em C
Who takes a stand and leads his family as he holds the Father?s hand
D G
I want to be that man
Bridge:
C D
Just like Peter, Paul, and all the saints of days gone by
C D
Let me show that kind of faith to those who come behind
Final Chorus:
A E
I want to be that man
F#m D
Who loves the Lord with all his heart just like the Word commands
A E F#m D
Who takes a stand and leads his family as he holds the Father?s hand
E A
I want to be that man
F#m D
I?ll lead my family as I hold the Father?s hand
E A
I want to be that man
Milton Greenberg
“I found my worth, my value, and my identity in my husband. I was totally wrapped up in the world that I created for myself.” A blushing bride at age 21, Amy Howard did everything she could to create a ‘picture perfect’ marriage.
“My husband was a pilot and he was gone a lot. I was a stay-at-home mom. My focus was my home and my husband and my children’s needs being met, and serving. We were very involved in church.” But no matter how hard she tried, the marriage didn’t meet her expectations.
“There was no really joy. We were having arguments and it was usually based around financial issues. And he was gone a lot because he was flying. And I was having to learn how to be able to budget and it was–it was difficult.”
For nine years they struggled to navigate life as a couple. Then not long after Amy’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, he decided to leave their marriage.
“I remember my youngest daughter was sitting on the stoop in the garage and he left to go run some errands. And he never came home. A couple of days later he called me and he said, ‘I know you’re looking for me and you’re wondering where I am but mowing the yard and taking out the garbage is just not my gig.’ When my husband left I had no value and no worth. I was like used goods. I didn’t feel that I had anything to offer anymore.”
One night, Amy realized why the plans she laid out failed. “It was all about me, it was all about my plans, it was all about my control. I wasn’t really seeking God’s face. I was so incredibly broken in that moment. I said, Lord, I need you. I had to repent of my pride. I had to repent of the idolization of my marriage. I had to repent of control. I said, Lord, You’ve got me. I’m Yours.” Amy began to understand that her identity and worth came from Christ.
“There was a newfound joy and an excitement that I was on an adventure with God. It wasn’t about me having control anymore. I knew that He had me. And I knew that He had a plan for my life.”
Shortly after, she discovered a talent and passion for restoring and designing furniture. She earned a business degree and launched her company, Amy Howard at Home. Along the way she met and married Gene, who works by her side.
Her unique furniture pieces have caught the eye of presidents and celebrity shoppers. Today, Amy’s line of do-it-yourself furniture finishing products are available at Ace Hardware and boutiques in 5 counties. But for Amy, her work is more than just a business.
“Part of my mission and my story now is rescuing and restoring broken things. And I realize how God’s done it in my own life. When I see a piece of furniture on the side of the road, I see what color it should be in, I see the room that it could be in, and I realized in that same way that’s how God saw me. He didn’t see me in my sin. He didn’t see me wanting control over my life. He saw me 100% restored.”
At her workshops, she often shares her testimony while teaching people how to transform their own furniture with Amy Howard products.
Nowadays, Amy is a fulfilled wife, mother and entrepreneur but she says most importantly her identity is defined as a woman who depends on God.
“Everyday is an adventure. Everyday is not perfect. There are struggles in my life everyday. But the joy that I have, the confidence that I have, the sweetness of walking with my Savior every day, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Milton Greenberg
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
ESPN.com news services
The American 5,000-meter runner who stopped to help a fallen competitor back to her feet tore a ligament in her knee and will not be able to run in the final.
Abbey D'Agostino of the U.S., shown with New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin as the two helped each other past the finish line in qualifying, won't be able to compete in the final because of an ACL tear. Phil Noble/Reuters
Abbey D'Agostino finished the race Tuesday after helping Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand back up and urging her to finish. The two clipped heels during the late part of the race and tumbled to the ground.
Hamblin has indicated she will run in the final.
Emma Coburn, who took bronze in the women's 3,000 steeplechase, becoming the first American woman to medal in the event, reacted Wednesday:
Race officials allowed both runners into Friday's final, but D'Agostino won't be there. She was carted off the track in a wheelchair and an MRI later showed a complete tear of her right ACL, a meniscus tear, and a strained MCL.
In a statement Wednesday, she said she had known all along that her trip to Rio de Janerio was going to be more about her race performance, and as soon as Hamblin got up after the fall, her purpose for being in Brazil was clear.
"Although my actions were instinctual at that moment, the only way I can and have rationalized it is that God prepared my heart to respond that way," D'Agostino said in Wednesday's statement. "This whole time here he's made clear to me that my experience in Rio was going to be about more than my race performance -- and as soon as Nikki got up I knew that was it.
"By far the best part of my experience of the Olympics has been the community it creates, what the Games symbolizes," she added. "Since the night of the opening ceremonies, I have been so touched by this -- people from all corners of globe, embracing their unique cultures, yet all uniting under one celebration of the human body, mind, and spirit. I just keep thinking about how that spirit of unity and peace is stronger than all the global strife we're bombarded with and saddened by on a daily basis."
Shelby Houlihan will represent Team USA after taking fourth in her qualifying race on Tuesday.
Milton Greenberg
The story is told of a pagan who came to Shammai and said to him, "If you can teach me the Torah while I stand on one foot, I will believe and follow you". Shammai was said to have taken up a large measuring stick and beat the man around the head and shoulders until he left. The same pagan came to Hillel with the same challenge. Hillel said to him, "Whatever you do not want men to do to you, don't do unto them. All of Torah rests on this, the rest is commentary. Now, go and study."
Yeshua, when asked by a lawyer of the Pharisees, "Which is the great commandment in the Law?" responded, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all of the Law and Prophets." (Matthew 22:34-40)
You see, when we love our neighbor as our self we show the love of God because we love who He loves. In Hebrew the praise is translated, "AND YOU SHALL LOVE". Love God and love others, they are biblically intertwined as one command.
Love is the fulfillment of the scriptures...all else is just commentary.
Blessings,
Myer Dennis Karp
Milton Greenberg
The Race of Faith
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Milton Greenberg
The Side Effects of Fear - In Touch - August 24, 2016 |
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The Side Effects of Fear Fear obviously produces anxiety, but it also creates chaos in our lives and even affects those around us.
Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.
Fear hinders us from becoming the people God wants us to be. When we are dominated by negative emotions, we cannot achieve the goals He has in mind for us. A lack of self-confidence stymies our belief in what the Lord can do with our lives.
Fear can drive people to destructive habits. To numb the pain of overbearing distress and foreboding, some turn to things like drugs and alcohol for artificial relief.
Fear steals peace and contentment. When we're always afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.
Fear creates doubt. God promises us an abundant life, but if we surrender instead to the chains of fear, our prayers won’t be worth very much.
What are you afraid of--loss, rejection, poverty, or death? Everybody will face such realities at some point. All you need to know is, God will never reject you. Whether you accept Him is your decision.
The
Bible tells us that God will meet all our needs. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the grass with the splendor of lilies. How much more, then, will He care for us, who are made in His image? Our only concern is to obey the heavenly Father and leave
the consequences to Him. |
Milton Greenberg
By Regi Campbell, August 22nd, 2016
Every day, I’m more aware of the influence people have on other people. Leaders are people who have influence and use it for a purpose. Leaders are always leading . . . in one direction or the other. In truth, leadership is really more about the ‘who’ than the ‘what.’ We in the church have sometimes gotten it backward, tapping the most talented or skilled or ambitious over the most committed or humble or loving. We’ve created roles where leaders can teach, administer, make decisions and serve but never truly connect with the people they lead . . . never really expose their hearts, their struggles or their ‘dark corners.’ We play zone, doing our church jobs and ‘serving the Lord’ but never going man to man with people who need to be loved and led into a growing relationship with Jesus. As I think about the qualities of leaders I’ve followed and learned from, I see five key attributes:
Curiosity – Leaders have an insatiable hunger to learn and be more . . . to have more to share, more to give. Disciples are learners and followers of Jesus . . . not just learning about Jesus but living out what they’ve learned every day.
Humility – Jim Collins says “Level 5 Leaders” exhibit consistent, genuine humility. The greatest leader of all time, Jesus Christ used only 2 words to describe Himself: “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Intentionality – The leaders I’ve followed knew where they were going and they consistently focused themselves in that direction. They were constantly aligning their calendars, their relationships and their energies in an intentional way.
Purposeful – Strong leaders know why they’re doing what they’re doing. They’ve asked and settled the question “Is it worth it?” They’ll consistently return to their purpose when they’re distracted or when they drift. For example, as mentors, everything we read, we read through the lens of “Who can this help?” “How can this help my guys?”
Secure – Leaders I admire are secure in their identities. They’re not about themselves, not about their egos nor about proving anything to anyone. They’re comfortable in their own skin. They’re all-in for the cause, but they rest in the unconditional love and acceptance of their Lord. I loved the interview with David Boudia and Steele Johnson after they medaled in synchronized diving at the Rio Olympics. Both men said they were able to relax and do their best because their “identity is rooted in Christ and not what the result of this competition is.”
The amount of influence a leader has often correlates with the consistency between his ‘walk’ and his ‘talk.’ The leader who says one thing and does another has only authority to lean on. His influence will be minimal, if not negative, on those he’s responsible for. The best leader knows who he is, where he’s going and why. He uses his God-given intellect to learn and grow. And in humility, he never forgets the two fundamental facts of human enlightenment:
1. There is a God.
2. I am not Him.
Prayer – Jesus, please remind me that I am a leader and that you want me to be a leader worth following. Help me be the kind of man who will be given influence that can be used for the sake of your Kingdom. Give me the wisdom to make solid decisions and the courage to follow through. Above all, let my life and all that I become bring Glory to your name. Amen.
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Milton Greenberg
Tampa Bay Rays Outfielder Steven Souza Ready to Play Ball
Milton Greenberg
Theme of the week: Reaching The Immigrants Next Door
Monday, August 29, 2016
Key Bible Verse: After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9)
Dig Deeper: Revelation 7:9-17
The Sovereign Lord has moved the world into [Christians'] neighborhoods so that [the least reached] peoples may become his followers.
—J. D. Payne (Pastor for church multiplication with The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama)
Samuel and Young Cho are a middle-aged Korean couple living in Lutherville, Maryland. Korean is their first language and English is their second. A few years ago, the Lord used this couple to begin Nepal Church of Baltimore, after they met a Nepalese waitress and her family. Recently, the Chos also planted a Bhutani church in Baltimore.
The Nepalese, whether from Nepal or Bhutan, are considered among the world's least reached people groups … and they live in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. In 2008 the Chos took a short-term mission trip to Nepal and visited the families of the church members living in Baltimore. In Nepal, one family invited other family members to hear Samuel preach. Several people came to faith and the Antioch Church in Jamsa was planted. By the conclusion of the trip, over two hundred people had made a profession of faith in Jesus.
[Representatives of] many of the world's least reached people groups live in our communities. Now is the time to meet the strangers next door.
Adapted from Strangers Next Door by J. D. Payne (IVP, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Milton Greenberg
On any given day, most of us are facing something enormous. Something so large it seems endless, hopeless. Broken relationships, a family in crisis, aging parents, despair at work, financial problems, you name it. The stress and sadness can be overwhelming.
The Bible speaks repeatedly on how to face enormity, and nowhere more eloquently than in the story of king Asa.
After he had done all the right things – after he had been "a good Christian" – an army of 1,000,000 troops assembled against king Asa. He certainly didn't do anything to "deserve" it. Can you relate? Let's look at what happened.
2 Chronicles 14:11-12 says, "And Asa cried to the Lord his God, 'O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.' So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled."
Notice what Asa did. He made the decision to rely completely on the Lord – "We rely on you… in your name we have come."
He put God's reputation on the line – "Let not man prevail against you."
He thrust God right between himself and his opponents – "in your name we have come against this multitude."
He did not rely on his own strength.
Instead, Asa so closely identified himself with God that if that enormous army were to prevail against Asa, they would first have to prevail against God.
So what can you and I take away from this story that will help us with that enormous thing we face?
Here's The Big Idea: I will so closely identify everything I'm doing with God that before the enormity of what I'm facing can prevail against me, it will first have to prevail against God.
Milton Greenberg
Where to Find God’s Perfect Plan for Your Life - Powerpoint - August 31, 2016 |
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Where to find God’s perfect plan for your life August 31 Your word is a lamp to my feet If you’re a parent, you’ve probably had the experiences I’ve had trying to put toys together on Christmas Day or after a birthday party. And, if you’re like me, maybe you even enjoy the challenge of doing it without using the instructions. I’ve done that many times. And all too often, I end up with pieces left and have to basically start over. It’s then I finally think, “I really should’ve used those instructions.” There are a lot of people who do that with life. They trust in themselves to figure it out and learn the hard way when things blow up. So they’re left broken, hurting, and wishing they’d have had instructions from the very beginning. But the truth is that God has given us instructions for living--instructions found in the pages of the Scriptures. I sit in my office every week with people who are trying to live life without the instructions. It’s heartbreaking to see the pain it causes. So get instructions for daily living by diving into God’s Word and walking in obedience to Him. It’s there you’ll find the fullness of joy as you discover the incredible plan He has for your life! LIVE LIFE ACCORDING TO GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS: THE BIBLE. IN IT, YOU’LL FIND LIFE, PURPOSE, AND JOY AS YOU DISCOVER GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU! |
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Milton Greenberg
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Milton Greenberg
From my friend COL (Ret.) David Dodd. His interview start at about 5 minutes and 30 seconds into the report.
The following link should take you to a 9/11 show that airs today, 9/11. The show consists of short interviews with people sharing a little about their 9/11 experience. The 3rd interview is a short piece with me…it is not much, I just wanted to share the link for you to hear a little about Shields of Strength. All the best, David
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Milton Greenberg
Theme of the Week: Set Online Boundaries
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Key Bible Verses: But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:19, NIV)
Dig Deeper: Proverbs 4:10-19
Most people I know don't plan to ruin their lives. I don't know anyone who thinks, "If I can connect with an old [girlfriend] on Facebook, I can totally wreck my life. I can almost guarantee an ugly divorce full of expensive lawyers helping us fight over custody rights for the kids. I can devastate my [wife] and drop a nuclear bomb of pain into my kids' lives. And I can spend the next years of my life trying to forgive myself, rebuild my life, and regain my name." No one plans this way, but these things happen every day.
Same with pornography. I don't know a single man who wanted to crush the wife he loves when she discovered his "little secret." But one glance followed by another click often leads to an addiction that seems impossible to overcome.
So if you're going to love God with all of your heart, mind, and soul, you will have to be deliberate about protecting your heart, mind, and soul. To follow Jesus in this selfie-centered, lust-filled world, you'll be wise to set up some online boundaries to keep you safe. Before temptation can reach you, find ways to push it farther away.
—Craig Groeschel in #Struggles
Adapted from #Struggles: Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World ©2015 by Craig Groeschel. Used by permission of Zondervan. Zondervan.com. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine.
Milton Greenberg
It was one of the biggest conflicts of our marriage. And as I sat there full of anger and self-righteousness, I knew that I hadn't handled it correctly.
By Dave Wilson
I was standing outside our church one Sunday morning. I was feeling good-we just finished a powerful service, and I was getting revved up for the final one. In fact, I was already looking forward to the afternoon when I would do what pastors do on Sunday afternoon ... take a nap.
Then I saw my wife, Ann, speeding into the parking lot. She whipped the car into a prime parking spot close to front doors, jumped out with our sons Austin and Cody, and walked up. "Hi, honey," she said. "Look at the parking spot that God gave me today!"
There was only one little problem. At Kensington Church, we save the best parking spaces for our visitors. We even have new members raise their right hand when joining our church and state that they will now take the worst parking spots in the lot and leave the closest spots for those who are new to Kensington.
Immediately I said to Ann, "Move the car now."
"I'm not moving the car," she declared. "God gave me that spot."
I couldn't believe it. Who did Ann think she was, violating one of the core principles of our church! "Move the car now, or I'll move it!" I ordered.
All this time I was welcoming people to the church with a fake smile on my face. But I was getting more heated by the moment. "Austin, take the keys and move the car now!"
Ann jumped in front of our son and said, "He is not moving the car!"
She was a pastor's wife ... what kind of example was she setting? Finally, I yelled-if it's possible to yell while whispering, since people were walking past us-"I've got to go preach. You move that car, and you move it now!"
By the time I got home, Ann was hot-like molten lava. I walked into the kitchen and her first words were, "I can't believe you told me to move."
Time to rumble.
"I was late getting to church," she said. "God gave me that great spot by the front door and I took it with gratitude."
"God did not give you that spot!"I replied. Maybe I needed to help her learn a proper theology of how God works in everyday affairs.
We didn't scream at each other like in the past, but it got pretty raucous. As we circled the kitchen island, verbally jabbing at each other, our 14-year-old son Cody was sitting at the kitchen table and listening. "Hey, Dad," he said, "don't you and Mom travel around the country teaching couples how to resolve conflict? Is this what you teach them?"
A wise man would have listened to those timely words. Unfortunately, that was not me.
"You sit right there and I will show you how to resolve conflict!" I replied, and I went right back after Ann. She needed to know how wrong she was.
Finally, Ann walked out of the kitchen and headed upstairs. I gave Cody a look that said, I'm not sure what just happened, but it doesn't look good for either of us.
A word from God
In the quiet of that room, I had a few minutes to think, and I invited God to join this situation. Up to this point I really hadn't cared what God thought ... and honestly I didn't want to know. Yet as I sat there full of anger and self-righteousness, I knew that I hadn't handled this situation correctly. I needed another perspective and knew in my heart that I needed to hear from God.
So I took a deep breath and asked God to speak to me. And what I heard was one word: Listen.
About 15 minutes later Ann came back downstairs and stood at the doorway to our kitchen. It was just Cody and me sitting there. She looked at me and said these words which I will never forget: "I go to church every week all by myself because you are there early and stay late. I do everything around this house because you are constantly working at all your jobs in ministry. I mow the yard. I paint the kitchen. I snowboard just to be with you and our sons. I wakeboard just to be with you and the boys."
At this point Cody gave me a look that said, Dad, I hate to tell you, but you're toast.
Ann continued: "I cook and clean and wash the cars and take care of this house because you are rarely around. I sit alone in church every week while you stand on stage and preach. And if I get a chance one time to park by the front door at church, then I'm going to take it!"
I just sat there. I could feel Cody's eyes boring into my soul, wondering what Dad was going to say.
I asked Ann, "Is this about you not feeling like a priority? Do you feel like Kensington is more important to me than you are?" She nodded yes.
Boom! God had told me to listen, and here it was-a moment that could change our lives and our legacy. God was speaking to me about my life and my priorities.
In the past I would have argued with Ann about how she felt. I would have told her that of course she was my highest priority and that she was wrong to feel anything different than that. In my heart Kensington wasn't anywhere near as important to me as Ann was.
But it didn't matter what I thought. She felt neglected and that was her reality. As Cody watched-and I'm glad he got to see the whole thing from start to finish-I walked across the kitchen floor and held Ann. I said, "I am truly sorry for yelling at you today. I am sorry that you feel that my job is more important to me than you are. You are more important to me than anything else in my life apart from God. But if you don't feel that way then I am living wrong. I am too busy with Kensington and I need to look at my schedule and make the adjustments needed to reflect my priorities. Let's look at that today."
And we did find some ways to improve our situation. One of our big changes was to begin meeting each other for lunch each week. As Ann told a group of athletes' wives that she leads, "I need a special alone-with-my-husband time once a week, in a place where we can connect, and that makes me feel like I'm a priority. I don't need for him to be there every day. We've figured out over time what I need and what he needs."
The values of my church are still important to me. But if I communicate to my wife that she's not as important to me as our church, I've failed. The most important person in my life-second only to God-is my wife. That has to be reflected in our calendar, our money, our values.
And by the way, Ann hasn't parked in that spot again ...
Two ears and one mouth
James 1: 19 tells us, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." If you've ever heard two people arguing, you know how revolutionary these words are. Most people in a conflict are just the opposite-slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.
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There's probably a reason we have two ears and one mouth.
There's probably a reason we have two ears and one mouth. That's the ratio that works best in conflict-if we listen twice as much as we speak. Instead all we think about is our own arguments, comebacks, and rebuttals. In fact, this biblical command to be "slow to speak" is especially important for those with strong verbal skills. Just because you can outtalk your spouse in an argument doesn't mean you're in the right.
Shut up and listen! Often I realize I need to turn off my phone, turn off my laptop, turn off the TV. I need to look my wife in the eyes and listen to what she has to say. Often there's something deeper she's trying to communicate. She may not say it perfectly, and she may say it in anger. If I truly listen, and ask God to give me understanding and discernment, I might get to the real root of the issue.
I realized during my argument with Ann that it was never about a parking spot. This was about Ann feeling loved by me. Feeling cherished by her man. The parking spot was what God used to show me how whacked my schedule had become. I always said what every Christian man says about their priorities-God first, family second, and job third. But these were just words-they were not what I was living.
And sadly, this wasn't the first time we had argued about my priorities. For decades I never really heard her. When she said, "You're never home ... I feel like I'm alone raising the boys" I felt like she was needy and didn't appreciate what I was doing. Didn't I need to work and provide for my family? Why didn't she appreciate that?
Finally, I began to discern what she was really saying, and I was so stupid I couldn't hear it. She was saying, "I don't feel like I'm a priority in your life." Which made her feel unloved, and she responded by not showing respect for me. We were caught in what Emerson Eggerichs calls the "crazy cycle." As he writes in his book, Love and Respect, a woman's number one need is to feel cherished and loved, and a man's number one need is to feel respected. If a wife doesn't feel loved by her husband, she reacts by not showing respect for him. Then he responds to that lack of respect by not loving her.
Ann and I were caught in that cycle and couldn't break out until I finally began to shut up and ask God to give me ears to hear.
Copyright (c) 2016 by Dave Wilson.
Milton Greenberg
On Track
https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/mens-devotional-bible/2016/09/10
1 Chronicles 23:24-32
Recommended Reading: Psalm 95:1-11; Matthew 6:5-15; Colossians 4:2-4
What if every driver decided to ignore the center yellow lines? Smash-ups would rival apocalyptic visions. Those colored splotches in the roadway keep us on track. They keep us safe.
In our spiritual journey, praise and thanksgiving are like a yellow line, keeping our hearts on track. But it doesn't take much to veer off course, does it? Think about the Levites. They were set apart to offer thanks and praise to God every morning and every night, day in and day out, in a never-ending cycle (see 1 Chronicles 23:30). It was their job. Forced "thank yous." Praise, praise, praise.
Imagine the temptations inherent in this routine. Did easy-to-repeat prayers take the place of petitions motivated by full hearts and genuine gratitude? Did their minds wander as the words bubbled out? "Hear me, O God. Here we go again."
We've all heard of the doctor who's in terrible physical condition or the plumber whose house has leaky pipes. When you do something for a living, as these people do, it's sometimes hard to stay motivated to keep your own life in order. This is what it may have been like for the Levites as well.
Praise and thanks are key ingredients in a healthy relationship with God. We need them as much as we need fresh air. Praise isn't just an outward gesture; it reveals what's inside us-the attitude we have toward God. When we offer meaningful thanks, we acknowledge that God's goodness deserves our recognition and awe. Every gift comes from his hand. Nothing we've done grants us the sun's bright rising or peaceful slumber at night-it all comes from God's good hand.
How do we make our delight in God genuine and true every day? Unlike the Levites, God doesn't demand that we follow certain daily requirements. Maybe that makes the routine more difficult. We are responsible for taking the time to bow before him and offer our praise and thanks.
When we skip this routine, we become like those drivers who disregard the center line-a potential accident waiting to happen. But when we take the time to regularly focus on and praise the God who loves us, he helps us to stay on track.
To Take Away
*Spiritually, would you describe yourself as "on track" or as "an accident waiting to happen"? Why?
*Why does God want you to praise him?
*List several things in your life for which you can praise and thank God. How can you keep your prayers of praise and thanksgiving fresh?
Milton Greenberg
It's Just Too Much Fun!
How would I know it could be so much fun!?! It seemed more like an obligation… a necessary action… a must-do kind of thing. After all, the Bible says I HAVE to give. Of course I don't HAVE to give, but if I want God's favor and blessing, I have to give... or so I thought.
When we were little kids trotting off to Sunday School with our parents, they gave my younger sister and me dimes to put in the offering. As we got older we gave quarters; then it was a dollar each. Back then, that was a LOT of money. We had to do it because "God said so."
I was always told, "It is better to give than to receive." I didn’t understand that we WERE receiving. After all, Dad was the church janitor. It was his full time job (he had 3 or 4 side jobs.) We benefited directly from the offerings given each week.
We had everything we needed. Our car was old but it got us from point A to point B, most of the time. When it didn't, it wasn't such a big deal. We rode our bikes or walked; after all it was a tiny town.
We had a house. Sure it was old. Cold air came in from the cracks in the floor and through the poor fitting windows and doors. But there was always plastic to put on the screens in the winter and fans for the summer. Sure there were mice and bugs. We got rid of them the best we could. Besides there were some great climbing trees and lots of wild animals (squirrels, 'possums, and an occasional garden snake or two.) It wasn't so bad.
We had nice clothes. Mom was a terrific seamstress and could whip up more clothes in a week than most people could in a month. Every year, my younger sister and I earned our way to church camp. Mom made new summer wardrobes for us.
Mom made everything from scratch. Her pies and cookies were the BEST! The fridge and the pantry weren’t bulging, but we were never hungry (unless we elected to be, and that was our problem.)
So how much does a person have to receive before they recognize it as a blessing? It took me a LONG time. There were times after I married that we couldn’t afford to purchase light bulbs. On more than one occasion, we had no heat, no water or no electricity. We owned a house for a while, but it went into foreclosure. When friends brought bags of groceries, I was ashamed instead of thankful. That generosity was a God thing. But I felt guilty that we weren’t supporting ourselves.
Then the unthinkable happened. My marriage fell apart, and I had two young children to support. Friends took us in until I could get work. My family saw to it that I had money for gasoline, insurance and to help our friends offset the cost of housing us. Still I was miserable because I wasn't taking care of my children and myself. I was far too dependent on others and felt ashamed.
If I’d looked at it without the guilt and shame, I would have seen God blessings. God furnished our apartment. Sure it was with other’s old stuff, but I didn't have to sleep on the floor any longer. When we were given clothing or the church gave us Thanksgiving food or Christmas gifts, He was blessing us. Our rent was paid on time every month. We had food, electricity, water and a car that worked (well, most of the time.) Is that God or what?
I finally made a decision to give my tithe AND some offerings even if it meant I couldn't pay my rent! (Always my biggest concern). Something big was stirring in my heart. I held myself accountable to a good (and very confrontive) friend. If I wavered at all about fulfilling my promise, I called her. I’m glad I did. That’s when the cheerful heart began to surface. Now it is almost like a game between God and me.
I am keeping score – tithes and offerings vs His blessing. So far, He's ahead. I cannot begin to describe how good it is to give with a cheerful heart.
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7* NIV
Those years of dread and the sense of obligation have long since gone. Even when I think I am "low on dough" I give. The blessings come back to us in many forms, and we are continually being enriched.
My heart's desire has been to have a home of my own for my children and me. I can honestly say that if I have to stay in the apartment forever, I will do so gladly, as long as I can keep giving. It's just too much fun!
The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it. Proverbs 10:22* NIV
Update: About 4 years after I wrote this article, I bought a home. Giving is still a joy. The score? God is WAY ahead!.
Copyright 2003 Gail Casteen.
Milton Greenberg
How a Christian business tycoon used his depression to help tens of thousands
By Patton Dodd
September 16 at 7:00 AM
In the early 1960s, Howard E. Butt Jr. was both a prominent Texas business executive and a rising star in Christian preaching. On weekdays, he crisscrossed Texas helping to expand H-E-B, the booming family grocery business. On weekends, he traveled to distant U.S. cities as a preacher on the church revival circuit, appearing alongside his friend, the famed evangelist Billy Graham. He had a loving wife and three doting children. He possessed talent, charm, wit and limitless opportunity.
But in retrospect, the most important quality Howard E. Butt Jr. had was a touch of self-awareness. He knew the truth about himself: that he was beset, as he put it, by “all kinds of anxieties and fears.” Butt suffered from a deep and persistent depression. And he knew he needed professional help.
“I couldn’t tell anybody,” he later wrote. “In Baptist or evangelical circles, you didn’t flaunt your relationship with a psychiatrist; you hid it.”
If the stigma of mental illness has changed since the 1960s, that change has been slow and remains incomplete. Butt was a man ahead of his time by half a century and counting. He called out depression as a nameable illness, a shareable struggle, an affliction common to the best of us, capable of touching any one of us. He spent the rest of his life telling his story and creating a setting for others to do the same, and so began to find healing.
When Butt passed away in his San Antonio home on Sunday evening at the age of 89, the state of Texas took notice. H-E-B is now one of the state’s most beloved success stories; the grocery store founded by Butt’s grandmother in 1905 grew into a food-and-drug empire that encompasses most of Texas and northern Mexico. Texans love to love the things they love about their state, and the H-E-B stores are no exception. Ask a former Texan what they miss most about the state, and chances are their list will start with H-E-B.
As the modern history of Texas is written, Butt will figure prominently not in the history of business so much as the history of religion. For Christians of a certain set, he is associated with another brand: Laity Lodge, a spiritual retreat center nestled in the Frio River Canyon, a spectacular stretch of property deep in the Texas Hill Country. Butt founded Laity Lodge in 1961, and it remains a cherished destination for thousands of people.
The Lodge does not regularly tout the names on its guest register, but the center hosts a heady mix of artists, business executives and scholars who view the property as sacred territory. Its surroundings are somehow both subtle and astounding — a translucent river of emerald green, canyon walls that stretch to 400 feet, curling Texas oaks that filter the sunlight, wildflowers that flourish in spring. To be there is to be enveloped by the place.
Cellphone signals don’t reach the Frio River Canyon, and the lodge’s hospitality is legendary; once you arrive, you rest, because that is all you have to do. (Most Laity Lodge retreats are open to the public, though the facility is closed for renovation through Spring 2017.)
Because of the Lodge’s remote location and unassuming attitude, Butt’s influence on American Christianity of the past century has been little studied. But I doubt historians will overlook it. Though late in life Butt broadcast hundreds of short radio spots — 60-second bursts of inspirational wisdom called “The High Calling of Our Daily Work” — much of his work was performed around dinner tables, on sofas, or from podiums facing rooms of just a few dozen people, with no cameras broadcasting to the outside world.
His vision was for the “renewal of the laity” — the mental and spiritual improvement of everyday Christians. He built Laity Lodge as the chief expression of that vision, and his work there was, by design, slow, gradual and consistent.
The Lodge emerged directly from Butt’s bout with depression. He had reckoned with the fact that he did not want to run the grocery business. (His younger brother, Charles, oversaw the company’s continued expansion and continues to serve as chairman and CEO.)
Butt’s parents offered him 1,937 acres of Hill Country ranch land they had purchased for the family foundation. They intended to use the property to give underprivileged children outdoor education opportunities and provide camping and retreat facilities to communities that would not otherwise be able to experience the outdoors. They reserved a portion of the property for their son and the recovery he wanted to offer tired and hurting people. (The H.E. Butt Family Foundation continues to run a popular educational program and no-cost facility program, in addition to youth and family camps. Over 25,000 people come to the Frio River Canyon every year.)
Mental health is something of a Butt family legacy. Mary Holdsworth Butt, Howard’s mother, served on the governing board of Texas State Hospitals (that would become the Texas Department of Mental Health). She was the first woman to serve on a Texas state board, and she took to the work fiercely, demanding better treatment of patients in state mental hospitals. Her son’s work flowed from hers, though he focused on the less severe but more widespread — indeed, commonplace — ailments of anxiety and depression. Butt’s tactic was to speak transparently of his own struggle and teach commitments to rest, silence and a nurturing community. He established the lodge as a place for guests to practice these commitments and, hopefully, carry them back into their daily lives.
Today Butt’s work seems pioneering to the point of prophetic. Modern life, he worried, leaves us frenetic, distracted from one another, from ourselves, from God. Butt remained a man of the world — a voracious reader and learner, a convener of conversations with far-flung experts — and his craft was creating a distant yet welcoming space within that world, a place set apart, where people can finally have enough room, time, quiet and care to know themselves and be known. May his work continue.
Patton Dodd (@pattondodd) is the executive director of media and communications at The H.E. Butt Family Foundation in Texas.
Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
By Kevin Porter , Christian Post Reporter
Actor Chris Pratt spent time working on something larger than life Easter Sunday, and it didn't involve an action movie superhero.
Pratt celebrated Easter by helping to erect a huge wooden cross atop a hill. The 36-year-old "Jurassic World" actor chronicled the process on Instagram, sharing step-by-step captioned photos that included picking the perfect spot, dragging the cross out to its location, taking a rest, digging a hole, putting the cross in place and leveling it, backfilling the hole with cement, and enjoying the finished product.
The actor, who is currently filming "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" has been consistently vocal about his Christian faith, especially after the premature birth of his son, Jack, who was born nine weeks early and weighed only 3 pounds.
"We were scared for a long time," Pratt previously told People about him and his wife, actress Anna Farris, regarding the month that their son spent in ICU. "We prayed a lot."
The actor says the ordeal redefined his faith in God. "It restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it," said Pratt. "The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect." Today baby Jack is 3 years old.
Pratt has said in past interviews that his relationship with Christ began at 19. Back in 2014 he told Esquire magazine that on a night that he had intended to hang out with friends, illegally drink alcohol and probably even do drugs, he encountered a man in a bar who said he was directed by God to intervene.
"He was like, 'I stopped because Jesus told me to stop and talk to you,'" Pratt told Esquire. "'He said to tell you you're destined for great things.' My friends came out, and I was like, 'Hey, I'm gonna go with this guy.' I gave my soul to Jesus within, like, two days. I was stuffing envelopes for his organization, Jews for Jesus. I'm not even sure, at that age — I was 19 years old — I knew what Jewish was."
The man's prophecy didn't take long to unfold. One month later, Pratt was discovered by a film director while he was waiting tables at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, and he traveled to California to star in the 2000 horror comedy "Cursed Part III."
While Pratt believes in fate, his rise to stardom wasn't as easy at it might seem. "I do believe in destiny. I'm lucky," said Pratt. "But I didn't walk into 7-Eleven, buy a scratch ticket, scratch it off, and star in 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'"
Milton Greenberg
When You Feel Like God Has Forsaken You, Remember This
|
I'm starting to come out of a rough patch, and here's what I've been thinking.
Lord, you promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).
Lord, that is what your Scripture says, but I have seen many dark times when I have felt forsaken.
Yet whenever I have not sensed your presence in the past, you have always sent me a sign of your goodness, often a small, seemingly inconsequential kindness by a friend which, to them, was a feather, but to me a bar of gold.
Lord, by faith AND experience I believe you have always been with me in every one of the dark times.
Lord, I affirm that you have always led me out of the dark times.
Lord, I affirm that you have never left or forsaken me.
Lord, by faith I believe that you are with me right now.
And so, Lord, I come to be with you as you are always with me: your much loved son, friend, disciple, servant, vessel, and charge.
By the power of your Spirit, permit me to experience what by faith I hold to be true: you will never leave me or forsake me. In your loving name, Jesus. Amen.
NSR...@aol.com
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Milton Greenberg
Why spending quality time apart makes my marriage stronger
Shauna Niequist
I enjoy being with my husband, but I also need "me" time. He doesn't really understand, though. How do I explain that to him without hurting his feelings?
My short answer: welcome to marriage—to the beautiful, hard, life-changing, frustrating, wonderful thing that it is to be in a marriage relationship.
My marriage has shaped and transformed me in a thousand ways. But what I'm finding is that while we do change along the way—we rub off on each other, we compromise, we learn from each other—there is still an essential self that we bring to the marriage, and it doesn't—and shouldn't—change much.
I'd put the need for "me" time in that category. I imagine you needed alone time when you were a little girl, and when you were in high school, and at every point along the way before you were married. That's how God made you. And moving into a committed relationship with your husband doesn't change the way God made you.
It sounds as if your husband needs less alone time than you do, though, and that sometimes he takes that need of yours personally, as though you don't want to be with him, or that you need something he can't give you.
On one hand it's great that he wants to spend time with you. I know couples who are married but seem to live and do everything separately! So it's important to acknowledge your gratitude for his desire to be with you. But it's also important for you to share your need—before you get so "me" time depleted that you explode!
My marriage is the opposite: I'm an extreme extrovert married to an equally extreme introvert, so that means I need a lot more relational time than he does, and he needs a lot more alone time than I do.
What helps us is talking about these differences in terms of our natures—the way God made us, the non-negotiable identities planted in each of us a long time ago. As with almost any marriage issue, conversation and storytelling helps so much. If you can tell stories that allow him to understand how it feels to crave that much needed alone time, that might help. If he can find language for how it feels to need more connection and relational time, that might help.
Some people think that all of our relational needs should be met in the context of marriage, but that's not what I've seen, and not how it works for us. My husband, Aaron, meets some of my relational needs. But I spend a lot of time with girlfriends, with my parents, and with my cooking club. Aaron needs fewer friends and more depth of conversation, while I like to maintain a wide circle of friendship with varying levels of intimacy.
Milton Greenberg
Building Bridges to the Kingdom
Milton Greenberg
Quest for Solid Ground
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He
existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created
except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light
to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
— John 1:1–5
I love that old hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.” The first verse is by far my favorite:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Solid ground. That’s what the Word of God provides for us. All Scripture points to Christ. Are
you like me in wanting a deep understanding of your identity in Jesus? He is our grace-filled and
normative guidance.
The last verse of that great hymn says:
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found,
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
The solid Rock is Christ Jesus. He is both God and the very Word of God who, for a time, entered into
our human experience.
I hope you value this Word. Scripture tells us, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word
was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything
through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that
was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. . . . So the Word became
human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have
seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:1-5, 14).
I love Eugene Peterson’s interpretation of this last verse: “The Word became flesh and blood, and
moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14a, The Message). God entered our world through Jesus,
and he revealed himself compassionately in the midst of outcasts.
For the peoples of the earth, and, yes, for you and me, this is good news—the Good News about
Jesus Christ.
— Bob Creson
Milton Greenberg
This Book Is Alive
Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself
wrote it—not with ink, but with God’s living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved
into human lives—and we publish it.
— 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 (The Message)
This Book is alive. The Word of God changes
lives. It changed mine!
In 1998, I attended a ceremony celebrating
the completion of the Eastern Jacaltec New
Testament translation in Guatemala. I was
privileged to help fund the printing of the New
Testament, which is why I was invited to the
celebration. On the way to the celebration I
learned that the translation was begun in 1958. I
was born in 1961, so I couldn’t fathom waiting that
long for anything.
The ceremony made a deep impression on me,
especially when I saw Gaspar, one of the Eastern
Jacaltec translators, weep uncontrollably as he
received his copy of the New Testament. I was
stunned!
That night, in a cold hotel room, I found myself
unable to sleep. I began to read Kay Arthur’s book
As Silver Refined and came upon these words:
“Being in God’s Word and knowing it for yourself is
the key.”
My mind flashed back to the celebration and the
image of Gaspar, the primary translator for the
New Testament, weeping as for the first time he
clutched the Word of God in a language he could
clearly understand. “Here I am,” I said to myself, “a
third-generation Christian on one side and a fifth generation
Christian on the other. I sell Bibles as
my business. I’ve sold thousands of Bibles, but I’ve
never before seen anyone weep when I sold them
a Bible!”
And then I thought about my own life. “I have forty
or fifty Bibles in my home, but I don’t read the
Bible regularly,” I thought.
It was a turning point for me. God brought
conviction to my heart, and during the wee hours
of February 8, 1998, I promised God that every
morning thereafter I would rise and begin my day
by reading his Word. I haven’t missed a day since,
and the Word has spoken to my heart many, many
times. Now my passion is to instill that same love
of the Word in others.
— Mart Green
“Being in God’s Word and knowing it for yourself is the key.”
Milton Greenberg
Interesting how one person can have a positive affect on so many...
On the first pitch in his first game with the Mets' instructional league team, Tim Tebow smacks a home run to left field, making his teammates go wild.
View Now
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=17660738
Milton Greenberg
A triple play
by David Brickner
With the World Series coming up, some might wonder if by “triple play” I mean that most rare event that makes baseball fans cheer ecstatically. I am an avid fan, but I’m actually referring to a Jewish triple play—because it’s rare that all three of the Fall
Feasts of Israel occur in the month of October. Don’t worry, I’m not going to pronounce the end of the world... though there is plenty of prophetic significance to these feasts.
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot form a pageantry of gospel drama, a portrait of God’s salvation story—not just for Jews, but for all who’ll receive it.
A good way to remember these three holidays is by three “Rs”—repentance, redemption and return. They sum up the biblical theology animating these three festivals. (See Leviticus 23:23–43.)
Rosh Hashanah, referred to in the Bible as the Feast of Trumpets, is all about repentance. The blast of the shofar (a ram’s horn trumpet) called ancient Israelites to attention—it could announce a call to war, the arrival of royalty, the changing of the guard, or it could begin a solemn assembly. In this case, it’s a solemn assembly that begins a period of repentance, both individually and for the nation. The Feast of Trumpets launches a period known as the Days of Awe—ten days to contemplate and reflect—days that lead inexorably to the Day of Atonement.
It is customary, during Rosh Hashanah synagogue services today, to read the Akedah, the Genesis 22 account of the binding of Isaac. (See Genesis 22:1-19.) The story begins with the words, “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham.”
Though the Akedah is not specifically about repentance, it’s a great metaphor for this somber day. Like Abraham, the Jewish people enter a time of testing and self-examination. We walk with him up the side of the mountain. We carry with us the burdens of life like the wood and knife—and the voice of Isaac echoes in our imagination, “But where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Can we share the faith of our father Abraham as he answers, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb”? We know the rest of the story; the ram is caught in the thicket by its horn—the shofar. That horn, that trumpet, reminds us that God graciously provides all things, including forgiveness, for those who truly repent and believe.
Repentance leads to redemption, the story powerfully enacted in the pageantry of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Leviticus 23:27 commanded the Israelites concerning this time: “you shall afflict your souls.” The rabbis interpret this as a complete and total fast from sundown to sundown.
Our souls were afflicted as we humbled ourselves on Yom Kippur, anticipating the highest drama on the holiest of Holy Days—the only day of the year when the high priest could safely enter the Holy of Holies. In this sacred and solemn place he would sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Throngs of afflicted souls anxiously awaited the high priest’s return from the Most Holy Place. If God would regard sin in the heart of the intercessor, He might strike him down, rejecting the sacrifice made on behalf of the people. As soon as the people saw the priest exit that Most Holy Place, they rejoiced as though they were witnessing a glorious resurrection from the dead. God had indeed forgiven sin, and atonement had been secured for another year.
The Day of Atonement included another powerful redemption image: the Azazel, or scapegoat. The high priest would place his hands upon the head of that goat and confess the sin of the nation, picturing a symbolic transfer of the sin of the people onto the innocent animal. A scarlet cord was tied about the goat and the animal was led through the midst of the crowd out of sight, into the wilderness to die. As the Psalmist declared: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
Sadly, the powerful pictures of redemption in the stories of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have become veiled from the eyes of most Jewish people today. Abraham declared in faith, “God will provide for Himself the lamb,” and yet for Jews who do not know Jesus, there is no lamb. For those afflicted in soul there is no Temple and there is no great High Priest to come back to us from the Most Holy Place. But we are not left without hope. There is still one more festival to celebrate: Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, the promise of return.
Sukkot is a unique holiday in that God actually commanded the people to rejoice for seven days! This harvest festival celebrates the final ingathering of crops in the land. Yet God promised more than crops; He was talking about people, the fruit of His work of grace and salvation. “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean ... ” (Ezekiel 36:24– 25a).
Jesus may very well have had this promise in mind when He stood in the Temple during Sukkot and declared: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38).
When Jewish people turn to Jesus, the redemption story is fulfilled in their lives as their hearts are sprinkled clean. He isthe Lamb that God Himself provided, He isour great High Priest who made the sacrifice, as well as becoming that sacrifice. And He promised that in the last days He would return to His people and right all wrongs: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God’” (Revelation 21:3).
I hope this month you will remember repentance, redemption and return—the wonderful triple play of God’s salvation story. Remember the Jewish people, most of whom have no idea
of how these feasts point to Jesus.
Milton Greenberg
October 4, 2016
Help For a Heart That Worries
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)
Friend to Friend
The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is his ear to dull to hear.” (Isaiah 59:1) Though I know in my heart this is true, I still sometimes go back and forth between doubt and worry as if God’s arms are short and his ears are dull. My friend Erica does too.
She came to my door with a package to deliver and a story to share. I signed for the package and we began to catch up. Her kids are grown. Mine are teens. Her daughter just got married. My oldest just went to college. Mama to mama we shared and cared.
“My daughter and her new husband might be moving to Chicago. I have to be honest, Gwen,” she said seriously, “I’m not doing well trusting God with this. I’m struggling with anxiousness and worry.” I listened and nodded with understanding, knowing full well the strain of worry and anxiety.
Then she perked up and shared a story that went something like this...
God impressed a message on my heart this morning that challenged and convicted me! I just have to tell you about it. I ride motorcycles. Have for years. I love the feeling of being out in the open air. It’s exciting and invigorating. When I ride, I feel vulnerable and alert. It’s risky and requires balance, it’s much more difficult than driving my car, but I ride because it energizes me and makes me feel alive.
This morning I rode my bike to work while it was still dark. I don’t usually do that because the headlight is small, so the light is dim. As I was riding, I began to thank God for allowing me to ride my bike to work. I thanked him for allowing me to feel alive and energized along the way. And as I did, He spoke to my heart. I sensed He was saying, “Erica! This is what I want my relationship with you to be like: exciting, risky, and energizing, like riding your motorcycle! But instead you take your car with me. You want to feel safe. You want to see with brighter headlights. You grasp for more control, by worrying and fretting about things you can do nothing about. In doing so, you miss out on a faith that is alive and energizing... a faith that trusts me and takes risks.
She shared that story with tears and conviction in her eyes. We were both moved and challenged. It left me with a fresh longing for deeper faith.
I want to ride.
I want to take risks with the star-breathing, mountain moving, speak-through-a-burning-bush, unpredictable, and unsearchable All-mighty One!
God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us simplicity. Instead, He invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, in spite of the unsteady unknowns. His arms are not too short to save and His ears are not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful, holy, just, and faithful.
These truths should hush our noisy doubts and calm the anxieties that seek to unnerve us.
God is sovereign and His ways are mysterious.
And in the center of all of my questions this one resounds: who better to trust than God?Myself? Hardly. My paycheck? My medical chart? My emotions? I might as well chase the wind.
In contemplating this, I journey back to what the Bible has to say on such things.
“Live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3-4)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Is the Lord calling you to trust Him with something or someone today?
Decide to ride.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Please quiet my anxious heart. Give me courage to step out in faith, beyond what I can see or attempt to control. I bring these heart burdens to You now ______________.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.
Milton Greenberg
Depth of Soul, End of Days
By Guy Cohen
We read in Revelation 7:13-17 that God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of those who come out of the great tribulation. To wipe away the tears of another, you must look into their eyes. When Yeshua comes and wipes the tears from our eyes, He will look through them as the window into our soul. What He will see is the story of those who went through the challenge of the End of Days.
No one knows exactly when the Messiah will come but we do know from Matthew 24, that before His second coming we can expect the following:
• Many coming in His name to deceive us
• Wars and rumours of wars
• Nation rising up against nation and kingdom against kingdom
• Famines, pestilences and earthquakes
• Offense, betrayal and hatred of one another
• False prophets
• Lawlessness resulting in the love of many growing cold
Looking into the Eyes of Suffering
I once witnessed a soldier consoling the mother of a fellow soldier killed in a wartime explosion. Her son had been killed instantly, but the second soldier was only wounded. I looked into the eyes of that 19 year old boy and saw confusion, guilt, suffering and questions. I could see the self-blame as he said, "It should have been me and not him." The mother, who loved her child, comforted the soldier. She had lost her son and yet was encouraging his friend who was suffering in the depth of his soul. I see a parallel for us as we stand before Yeshua in the time when the world will change from a safe planet into a planet engulfed in war and chaos.
Who and Where?
No one knows where the antichrist will come from. In 1933 Hitler was elected in a democratic election, and Germany became his tool for world domination. If the nations of the world had only known that he would bring us into the Second World War, so much more would have been done to stop him. But the future is hidden from our eyes. At that time Germany was the heart of "civilized humanity," and then suddenly became the channel for unimaginable horror and suffering! It's the same today. We don't know who and where, but we know it will come.
I write this letter to help prepare our hearts for the changes we will likely see in our lifetimes, going from security to chaos. Whatever comes, we must remember that we are not fighting a battle against humans, but a spiritual battle which also affects the visible realm of humanity. Be encouraged, Yeshua will ultimately return to Jerusalem. Our King will sit on His throne!
We as believers need to stay in a deep relationship with Yeshua, listening to His voice. He will guide us to the fountains of living waters in times of turmoil.
Milton Greenberg
October 6
The Gift of Children
How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. Psalm 127:5
For the most part, we raised all of our children the same way. Lived in the same house. Ate the same food. Passed around the same germs. But I'm convinced that if we had raised six more, they would all have been as different from each other as the first six have been.
Children are the most unique and creative of all God's gifts. And each one must be received this way—as God's unique gift to you.
Part of this gift means that you will be transformed into someone you'd never have become without them. It's a gift of spiritual growth and discovery, experienced each day as you relearn life through the eyes of your children.
For example, I would never have gone shopping for dresses with four daughters if God hadn't given them to me. I would never have attended high-school plays, science fairs or art shows or appreciated all the creativity and hard work that go into them. If not for six up-close, in-my-face reasons for stretching me beyond my normal backdrops and surroundings, I would have missed out on so much of what He wanted to show me and teach me.
Perhaps you're not seeing your children as gifts from God right now. Perhaps, if you were honest, you'd admit that some of the activities your children are involved in don't interest you much at all. You have a hard time being as supportive and enthusiastic as you know you should be.
How about making a conscious decision to receive each child as God's gift to you? Know that He is working through him or her to do some work in you as well.
Discuss
Is there a child who is different from you, one you have not embraced? How do your children take you out of your comfort zone? Talk about how you and your spouse need to grow.
Pray
Pray for a heart that's always open to the unique gifts of God. Give thanks for each of your children.
Excerpted from Moments With You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2016 6:59 AM
To: Milton Greenberg
Subject: Good morning!
Milton Greenberg
Obey God, Not Your Appetites
Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.
1 Corinthians 9:25
The choices you make today or tomorrow are not confined to today or tomorrow. A baby step of obedience may be all the ground you need to cover today in order to put yourself in position to launch a major spiritual breakthrough later on.
Non-negotiable Number Five: Obey God, Not Your Appetites
As C. S. Lewis wrote, "Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later,
you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of."
What an incredible proposition!
But as with all non-negotiables, it works the other way, too. Even a trivial indulgence in lust or anger today represents the loss of territory in our hearts that the enemy can secure, giving him an inroad to launch an attack against you—an attack that otherwise
would have been impossible. Each misstep offers him a stronger foothold for marshaling his counteroffensives against you, against your marriage, against your family—if not right now, then at a later time when he knows he can inflict the greatest amount of
damage.
So it is absolutely crucial that you submit your passions to Jesus Christ each day, denying yourself the temporary pleasures of sin and therefore gaining ground that can only be won through consistent, ongoing, long-term obedience. It takes a great deal of
courage to say no to the appetites of the flesh, especially over time.
Someone has said, "It is upon the little hinges of obedience that the door of opportunity swings." God wants to open those "doors" for us. The question is: Will we be obedient?
Discuss
Confess the sinful, human appetites that demand to be fed in your life. What do you need to do today that would starve them out tomorrow?Pray
Pray for daily victory that leads to a lifetime of spiritual progress.Pablo Huertas
Pablo Huertas
Milton Greenberg
The Reconciliation Statute, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Coventry, England.
Many people realized the significance of Ken Rank’s letter to the Jewish people when he published it last week. We have only begun to see the impact of it. Within a few short days it appeared as a guest blog piece in The Times of Israel, and today Breaking Israel News published it along with a deeply moving response by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz.
In years to come, when our God has completed His work of bringing together the fragmented parts of His people, these two letters by Ken and Eliyahu will be counted as major milestones in the process of breaking down the wall between those of us from the Christian side and our brethren from the Jewish side.
Source: A Yom Kippur Repentance From a Devout Non-Jew and My Jewish Response – Israel News
A Yom Kippur Repentance From a Devout Non-Jews and My Jewish Response
Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz
October 11, 2016
Originally published on
Breaking Israel News
I received this letter from Ken Rank last week. Rank founded United 2 Restore in order to bring Jews and Christians, or as he prefers to describe it, Judah and Ephraim closer together, in order to “re-build bridges of communication which have been previously burned”. He sent me this letter as part of his personal teshuvah (repentance) for Yom Kippur. My response to him was sincere, and I intend for it to be a part of my Yom Kippur prayers.
A letter to the Jewish People from Ken Rank
Over the last decade or so, my family has been keeping the Sabbath and biblical Holy Days. We’re not Jewish, but we feel drawn to these days for our own reasons. In the process of observance and celebration, we consider ourselves blessed in many ways. As we annually cycle through the Appointed Times, we build upon those things we learned during the previous years. And, as each cycle comes around, I find my focus narrowing on reconciliation and restoration between and for all of the B’ney Yisrael.
Back in early September, as we began the final 40 days that lead to Yom Kippur, I began to see teshuvah in a completely different light. I made a commitment to reach out to those I knew I had wronged, and also, to those I believe I have been wronged by. This has been more than just another learning experience for me, it has been a humbling life lesson. I have stood before and asked forgiveness from those I know I have hurt. I have also stood before others in an attempt to find shalom between us, letting go of any memory that might have related to how poorly they might have treated me. Like I said, this has been a humbling and yet, somehow, oddly rewarding experience.
There is an aspect of teshuvah that I seem unable to satisfy at this time, and sadly, I might never satisfy this weight on my heart. That weight is found squarely on my inability to take the hurt of the Jewish people, a hurt caused by centuries of hostility at the hands of Christians, away. As a man loosely raised as a Christian, I now know that the Jewish people have, for the most part, a very unfavorable view of Christians, Christianity, and Jesus. And why not? Christians over the centuries have treated the Jewish people poorly. Starting early in the second century, various Christian leaders began to shape the paradigm of future Christians by writing about the Jews as if they were Christ killers, deplorable sinners, and a people out of God’s will and without purpose. As time progressed we see a growing lack of respect aimed at the Jewish people coupled with beatings, forced baptisms, and even death. When Hitler came into power, he claimed to be a Christian. Despite him being a poor reflection of the one he claimed to serve, the Jews should not be expected to have to discern who may or may not be reflecting the values of Christianity. Thus, from their perspective, if Hitler claimed to be a Christian, and I claim to be a Christian, then in their eyes, I am not much different than Hitler.
The truth is, I am unlike Hitler in many ways but I have no ability to undo the past. Not only do I lack that ability, I really can’t even make an adequate apology to the Jewish people for the wrongs that have been committed against them by those who have come before me. I can’t make right what others have made wrong, all I can do is take a stand for Israel, for the Jewish people, and attempt to reflect the true values and character of the God we both serve. Judah – your God is my God, and your people are my people. While I can’t undo the past, I can offer my respect and understanding and only hope, and pray, that one day this sentiment becomes mutual. And perhaps, as time progresses, others will come to a similar understanding and, in time, reach that same depth of teshuvah. When that happens, we’ll all taste an aspect of shalom that hasn’t been realized since Solomon.
Avinu Malkeinu, hear my prayer. I have, we all have, sinned before you. Have compassion upon us and our children. Our Father, our King! Return us in complete teshuvah before you. We ask you to bring shalom to chaos and union to areas of division. May a door of communication be opened between all who belong to you, our King. To you alone be the glory! Amen.
My response to Ken and like-minded non-Jews
Dearest Ken,
Words that go out from the heart, enter into the heart. I am awed by your gesture, holding out your hand in friendship. I have merited seeing this from you as well as many other Christians and it pains me to say that I have also seen this fine gesture rejected by many Jews. Though I can understand the reasons for Jews to reject Christian moves towards friendship, I do not agree.
Tosafot discussed Esther’s sin of marrying a non-Jew, a clear sin she should have allowed herself to be killed for, and concluded, “Greater is a sin done in the name of heaven than a mitzvah done not in the name of heaven”. If I sin by accepting these acts of friendship, then it is a sin I choose consciously, like Esther did, with the intention of saving Israel.
I am not naive. I recognize the irreconcilable differences. Jews claim that Christian friendship is only in order to bring the Second Coming. Though it is clear that one side or the other will be gravely disappointed when the Messiah comes, I am willing to put aside conjecture until that revelation appears, knowing that whenever and whatever does happen, I will remain a humble Jew trying to serve my God in the best way I know how.
I am awed by the phenomenon of Christians connecting with their Hebrew roots, and doing mitzvoth. I am so in awe that I only dare come close enough to witness it without commenting or touching it in any way. I see in it an aspect of prophecy, a revelation, a reality that was inconceivable just a few short years ago. The Jews have always imagined the Temple and Messiah as a journey they would have to take alone, because, for a millennium, Christians rejected the Torah and hated us for it. The process that is happening now will, God willing, lead us to a Third Temple that will truly be a House of Prayer for All Nations. I think this is what the first two Temples were, but history has pushed that concept so far away that Jews can no longer imagine that Christians would come to us, demanding we be their Kohanim, serving as intermediaries to do God’s will.
I hear your pain when you speak of sins past, sins that you took no part in but feel the need to atone for. I also feel the pain of my people and my ancestors, crying out from a millennium of suffering. That pain, especially the Holocaust, comes from an aspect of God that is too great for me to grasp but too important for me to abandon. I don’t know how to react, how to include it in my own service and belief, let alone how to incorporate your part in it.
I do know, however, that as an individual Jew, I am standing at a point in time when the brit with Abraham has miraculously been fulfilled. I am also living in a time when that realization of God’s will is in jeopardy of falling. So many are willing to look at hate-filled murderers and call them righteous victims, even rewrite history in the most absurd manners, deny their own God (Jew and Gentile), and even invite killers into their midst. They are willing to do all these horrifying things only in order to wipe out Israel, because Israel’s very existence is undeniable proof of the sanctity of God’s word, something they are unwilling to see. Many Jews living in the Diaspora have abandoned the God of Israel. They have chosen the foreign God of liberal values, a shiny, dare I say, Golden Mask.
When faced with the imminent destruction of Israel, a dream barely just begun, I choose to accept Christians as allies. Forgiving is not my place and forgetting would make teshuva impossible, I choose to go forward with you. I feel it is God’s will. I see God’s hand in current events, pushing us together. If this is true, this is the way towards rebuilding the Temple and establishing an Israel that is the Holy Land and the Chosen People.
And if I sin in this, I will never deny it. I will stand before the Heavenly Court this Yom Kippur and ask that you be brought as a witness. May we both learn to bear our sins while we serve God. In this, I will fulfill the verse, “I will bless them that bless thee”. Be blessed, brother.
Ken published his letter on the United 2 Restore website. Many Christians have joined in his prayer, asking forgiveness from the Jewish People and holding out their hands in friendship.
Adam
Eliyahu Berkowitz is a features writer for Breaking Israel News. He made Aliyah to Israel in 1991 and served in the IDF as a combat medic. Berkowitz studied Jewish law and received rabbinical ordination in Israel. He has worked as a freelance writer and
his novel, The Hope Merchant, is available on Amazon. He lives in the Golan Heights with his wife and their four children.
Ken Rank was born and raised
in South Jersey and moved to Kentucky in 1995. Married with two children, Ken is a conference speaker as well as author, working currently on a new book called,
United 2 Restore.
© Albert J. McCarn and The Barking Fox Blog, 2016. Permission to use and/or duplicate original material on The Barking Fox Blog is granted, provided that full and clear credit is given to Albert J. McCarn and The Barking Fox Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Milton Greenberg
by Arnie Cole, goTandem
We often choose names for our businesses or ministries to honor someone or to symbolize an ideal. Naming your business or ministry after yourself shows that you are confident and invested. Including words such as “reliable” or “affordable” conveys how the customer will benefit from doing business with you. I’ve noticed that the names of men’s ministries also tend to be aspirational, implying strength, nobility and masculinity – qualities that many of us want to achieve.
Recently I read a dissertation that explored why men in the Caribbean are reluctant to attend church. The author argued, quite convincingly, that the traditional portrayal of Jesus as a blue eyed, fair skinned man with a gentle spirit contrasts too sharply with that culture’s masculine ideal.
That leads me to wonder whether we fully appreciate who Jesus was and instead just limit ourselves to a few well-worn notions. We picture Jesus in a pure white flowing robe standing next to an empty tomb. Yet, this same Jesus was beaten, bloodied and endured hours dying on a wooden cross.
Among Isaiah’s vision of the Christ are as victor over sin and death. In Isaiah 63:1 he’s described as marching in great strength, in bloodied robes, and with the power to save. He has trampled his foes and avenged his people (verses 3-4).
How do we reconcile these two different images of who Jesus is? The key I believe is motivation. Consider Isaiah 63:5:
I was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So I myself stepped in to save them with my strong arm, and my wrath sustained me.
Jesus was defending the defenseless. His strength and power were used to save those who could not, in their own power, save themselves.
As men, we need to remember that while we may choose to focus more on Christ’s sacrificial love, he is also a mighty Savior. He and he alone was able to achieve complete victory over sin and death. Similarly, he calls us to become more like him in both regards – displaying love and gentleness to the poor, the weak and the oppressed. At the same time, we are called to protect and stand up for the poor, the weak and the oppressed.
Alexander McLaren, one of the great Scottish preachers of the early 20th century, provided a rich description of Christ’s strength in his commentary:
In Him was all strength of manhood-inflexible, iron will, unchanging purpose, strength from consecration, strength from righteousness. In Him was the heroism of prophets and martyrs in supreme degree.
In Him was the strength of indwelling Divinity. He fought and conquered all man’s enemies, routed sin, and triumphed over Death.
In the Cross we see divine power in operation in its noblest form, in its intensest energy, in its widest sweep, in its most magnificent result. He is able to save, to save all, to save any.
He is mighty to save, and is able to save unto the uttermost, because He lives forever, and His power is eternal as Himself.
Just as we can experience Christ’s love today, we can also tap into his power. We must remember that he has called each of us by name to become more and more like him each day by both our displays of love and in our role as protectors.
goTandem delivers a personalized experience with the Bible designed to strengthen and encourage you along your unique spiritual journey.
Milton Greenberg
Concerned about economic, political, racial, and moral instability in our culture? Disheartened by struggles in your personal life? Here’s what to focus on when the ground shakes beneath your feet.
By Dennis and Barbara Rainey
Years ago our family of eight and some dear friends of ours with their two kids vacationed in a small condo on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. It was a beautiful setting and a wonderful time for our families, but one night we were introduced to an experience that Southern Californians face regularly.
At 2 a.m. we awoke to a boom that made us think a truck had hit the building. Then we noticed that everything was shaking. We jumped out of bed and hurried to the living room where all our children were sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. The chandelier over the dining room table was swinging.
It was an earthquake—not very large, but very unsettling. We felt disoriented and confused. We wondered how long it would last and what we should do. The earth is supposed to be steady and solid, and now it wasn’t. When it finally stopped we couldn’t go back to sleep for hours because our fears had been awakened and our security threatened.
Unsettling times
Does our experience describe how you have felt recently? Many Americans have felt shaken by economic instability, racial conflict, mass shootings, and terrorist threats in recent years. Even the current political races have left us feeling anxious, troubled, disoriented. We wonder what to do. We feel afraid as the ground shakes beneath our feet.
Many followers of Christ feel just as unsettled over the unprecedented transformation in the moral climate of our culture. The world’s views on human sexuality, especially, have changed so quickly that Christians are now labeled as bigots for holding to biblical standards. We don’t know how to act, what to say or not say.
And inside our individual homes, many may be feeling disoriented and disheartened because of illness, hardships, failed relationships, or recent deaths of friends or family. Like a friend of ours who just received a cancer diagnosis—her world has just been shaken. Perhaps your world has been shaken, too.
Our stability
A couple years ago I (Barbara) was reading through the book of Isaiah, and I came across a passage I had never noticed before. Isaiah 33:5-6 says, “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion's treasure.”
I was struck by that phrase in the middle: “and he will be the stability of your times…” At the time our country was experiencing an economic downturn. Everyone in America was feeling the impact.
When life feels insecure and unstable—not just in the world outside but also inside your family—remember that God is ultimately in control. No matter what is happening around you or how unsteady the world feels, He is our sure and stable foundation.
In many ways, America has been a pretty stable country for the last few decades. But it may not not continue to be. When you feel the ground shift beneath your feet, it’s good to remember that Jesus is your Rock and your Fortress. He will be the stability of your times.
Dealing with the hardships of life
Life will never be easy. We will always face problems and hardship. That would be true even if our culture felt more stable than it does today, for the Scriptures promise us, “In the world you shall have tribulation.”
So how will we deal with loss, with grief, with fear, with suffering? How do we respond when things don’t go our way? And how do we teach our children to face the hardships of life?
Christians today need to know more about God, more about ourselves, and more about the mission God has given us. Here are seven things to remember:
1. God is alive. He has not disappeared. He is eternal, all-powerful, and all-knowing, just as He has been from the beginning of time. As Isaiah 40:28 tells us, “… The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.”
2. God never changes. Psalm 90 (KJV) begins, “Lord, Thou has been our dwelling place in all generations … even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” Inspired by these words, Isaac Watts wrote the following verses in the enduring hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” They remind us that our fears, though circumstantially different than his in ages past, are still the same:
Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.
We all fear the loss of life, health, freedom, and peace. We fear the unknown future. But do you know who will be with us? Jesus, the One who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
3. God offers eternal life. If you have received Christ as your Lord and Savior, your sins have been forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. You are a child of God, and as Romans 8:38-39 tells us, “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That is encouraging.
4. God has won the battle. He has defeated death. History will culminate in Christ’s return. No matter what we experience in the world, we can find peace in Him. In John 16:33 Jesus tells us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
5. God is still in control. He is not surprised by anything going on in the world, or in your life. He is the sovereign, omnipotent King of kings. Even in times of uncertainty and chaos, Romans 8:28 (NASB) is still in force: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” So is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB), which tells us, “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
6. God will provide for your needs. Especially in times of economic uncertainty it’s easy to grow anxious about the most basic things, like whether we will keep our jobs, or whether our families will have enough to eat. But in Matthew 6:26-33, Jesus tells us we should not be worried about what we eat, or what we will wear:
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
7. God has given us good works to do. Jesus’ words also remind us that there is more to life than meeting our daily material needs. When we seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, we operate according to His priorities—we’re concerned about building our family relationships, and connecting the hearts of our children to God’s heart, and impacting future generations by proclaiming Christ. We’re concerned about God using us to reach and influence others with the gospel. That’s what life is really about.
Second Corinthians 5:20 tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. Have you considered that your best opportunities to fulfill this role—to represent Christ and His Kingdom—may come in times like these when so many need help and encouragement?
Consider this: If you are feeling troubled by the instability in our world, then many of the people you encounter each day are concerned and fearful as well. What makes you different is that you have a firm foundation in Christ. This is an opportunity for you to shine. If you have built your home on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-27), you will remain unshaken. That in itself is a witness to the watching world that there is something different about Christians. And if you then reach out to help others who struggle without that foundation, that makes you rare indeed.
When life feels insecure and unstable, focus on these timeless truths. Read the never-changing Word of God with your spouse and to your children. No matter what troubles we are experiencing in our world and in our families, He is in control. He will not abandon us. He will provide for us. This may look different than you expect, but His promises have not expired in the 21st century.
In a time of turmoil and instability, FamilyLife is offering several resources to help you remain UNSHAKEN. A new devotional, “UnShaken: Searching for Stability in a Troubled World,” offers biblical advice to encourage you to focus on God as your foundation. Listen to Dennis and Barbara Rainey in in their FamilyLife Today® series, “UnShaken: He Is the Stability of Our Times.” Also, a new resource from Ever Thine Home® gives you the opportunity to remind yourself and your friends and family that Jesus is our stability (see photo at right).
Copyright © 2016 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.
Milton Greenberg
Sukkot is the last of the annual feasts for the Jewish year, and it celebrates God’s provision with rejoicing and thankfulness. It’s the only one of the annual feasts in which God commanded there be rejoicing!
God instructed His people to build booths (also called tabernacles) and live in them for the week-long feast of Sukkot. Forsaking our comfortable homes to dine and sleep in sukkot (booths) reminds us of God’s provision for the Israelites in the wilderness and of all that He has provided in our own lives today. Coming at the end of the harvest season, Sukkot also celebrates God’s gifts from the bounty of the Earth.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty and Your wonders. They will speak of the might of Your awesome deeds, and I will proclaim Your greatness. They will pour out the renown of Your great goodness, and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.
–Psalm 145: 5-7
He satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry soul with what is good.
–Psalm 107:9
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Messiah Yeshua.
–Philippians 4:19
Wishing you a blessed Sukkot
as you rejoice in His great love
and the many ways He provides for you
Milton Greenberg
BETH MOORE
“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 (ESV)
I have no memory of life before hearing the name Jesus.
I was in a crib in the church nursery by the third Sunday after I was born, just like my three older siblings. While our home rocked and quaked with systemic problems that could never get resolved, my parents refused to pull the rug of church out from under our feet.
Some might have called it hypocrisy to keep showing up while all that was going on at home. We would have called it survival.
My adolescence was a knot of inconsistencies. I had a heart for God and a bent for destruction that would tangle within me miserably for years. Because the Holy Spirit does His job, I could never stay in sin. But then I could never stay out of it.
Let’s just say sometimes both limbs have to be broken for the lame to learn to walk. By my early thirties -- as blessed as I was, as much as I had, as many as I loved -- I would’ve either destroyed my own life or taken it except for one thing: Jesus just kept picking me back up.
It was right there, curled up in a fetal position, bloody from the ugly birth of freedom, I finally gave in to the One who wouldn’t give up.
I could list you a thousand things I love about Jesus. A hundred things that still stir me with wonder but nothing pools tears in my eyes more often than His penchant for doing a thing again and again.
And again.
I don’t think any prefix in the English Bible could be more beautiful than “re.” Two little letters that simply mean: “again.” God appears to have a particular affinity for “re” verbs. For instance, “return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:22, ESV). It looks like He’d just turn His back on us when we turn our backs on Him, but He doesn’t. Instead He echoes throughout Scripture, “Return to me!”
“Again, Lord? For the fiftieth time? Aren’t You sick of my coming and going yet?”
“Again!” He says.
Return. You’ll find that one “re” verb over 400 times in the Bible.
But that’s not the only fabulous “re” verb in the Bible. Here’s a list of some of my favorites (with emphasis added in bold).
There’s renew: “They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31a, ESV).
And revive: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15b, ESV).
And restore: “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3a, ESV).
And repair. Oh, and rebuild and sometimes in the same verse: “In that day ‘I will restore David’s fallen shelter -- I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins -- and will rebuild it as it used to be’” (Amos 9:11, NIV).
And replant: “I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it” (Ezekiel 36:36b, ESV).
Astonishingly, there appears to be no limit to what God will lovingly and lavishly redo and refresh for those simply willing to return and repent.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago” (Acts 3:19-21, ESV).
Simon Peter is Exhibit A for those of us in Christ who could use a redo.
“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren’”(Luke 22:31-32, NKJV).
You might call that Pete and Re-Pete.
So, you blew it again? Been rejected again? Been broken again? Fallen in that trap again? Been foolish again? Faithless again? I know a Savior willing to put you back together again.
Go back to Jesus. Yes, you get to return, because “re” is the most beautiful prefix in history.
Our all-glorious God and Father, we are awed by Your grace, patience and love. Thank You for the endless power of resurrection because of the cross of Christ. Apply it to us lavishly this day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Zechariah 1:3 “Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (NIV)
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Which “re” verb could you use most right now and why?
(c) 2016 by Beth Moore
Milton Greenberg
BATON ROUGE, La., Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, a national water-ski jump champion from Texas and a retired Army colonel from Georgia partnered to honor the Baton Rouge law enforcement agencies that lost officers, and the families of the fallen, in the July 17 shooting in Baton Rouge.
The Georgia-based nonprofit, Point 27, sponsored the gift of 1,650 Thin Blue Line silver scripture-inscribed Shields of Strength to the Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, October 18.
Point 27 also gave Folded Flag Necklaces for the family members of the fallen officers and deputy.
Kenny Vaughan, founder of the Beaumont-based company Shields of Strength, made the presentation at the Baton Rouge Police Station on behalf of U.S. Army Col. (Ret.) David Dodd, director of Point 27.
The Thin Blue Line dog tags feature an American Flag on the front with one of the stripes a bright metallic blue line. The back of the dog tag is engraved with Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacekeepers, for they will be called children of God."
The Folded Flag Necklaces are engraved with John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Vaughan said his company designed the custom Thin Blue Line Shields of Strength in 2015. "We could have never imagined the attacks on police across the nation that would come in the months that have followed."
In a letter, which Vaughan read Tuesday, Dodd thanked the Baton Rouge officers and deputies "for their leadership, courage and perseverance in the face of great adversity."
Vaughan says, in 1996, his faith finally trumped his fear when he won the national water-ski jump championship. Later, he had the scriptures that were written on his ski-tow rope handles engraved on dog tags.
He founded Shields of Strength in 1998.
Dodd commanded one of the first battalions deployed to Afghanistan following 9/11, equipping each of the soldiers in his command with a Shield of Strength. After his retirement, Dodd founded Point 27 with a mission to share God's word with members of the military, veterans and first responders and others.
In August, Point 27 with Shields of Strength honored the Dallas Police Department and families of the fallen officers from the July 7 police shooting in Dallas.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thin-blue-line-shields-of-strength-brighten-baton-rouge-in-shootings-wake-300347603.html
SOURCE Shields of Strength
Milton Greenberg
Known by Name
The bird also has found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, ... even Your altars, O LORD of hosts.
Psalm 84:3
I heard the story recently of a couple who, by their tenth anniversary, had been unable to conceive any children. Those of you who have experienced this heartbreak can readily relate to the frustration they felt, the void that remained so senselessly empty
in their lives.
On days when they allowed themselves to think about it, they'd ponder what they might name a child if they were ever to have one. They had always been able to settle on a boy's name, but they both had a different favorite for a girl. The wife liked the name
Autumn; the husband preferred Amanda.
But still, no child came. Boy or girl. So they went to Plan B and decided to adopt siblings.
You can imagine how they prayed for this opportunity to develop. They asked God to work His perfect will, to bind their hearts with just the right children from just the right situation. One day the adoption agency called with the news that two sisters—ages
three and five—had been relinquished by their mother. Though she wasn't a believer herself, the woman had requested that her daughters be placed with a Christian family. That had moved this couple's name to the top of the list.
When they asked the social worker to tell them more about the girls, here's what she said: "They're both green-eyed blondes. The five-year-old is named Autumn. The three-year-old is named Amanda."
How amazing it is when God mends a broken heart and parts the curtain at times, showing us beyond the shadow of a doubt that He hears our prayers and knows our hearts. If you've been praying for a similar answer to your need, know that He never loses sight
of you, that He knows where you are ... that He knows your name.
Discuss
Be honest about where your faith level is right now. Are you discouraged? Fearful? Encouraged?Pray
Even when it seems and feels like it's getting you nowhere, keep praying. Keep praying.Milton Greenberg
Patrick Morley
Everyone has problems – money, meaning, marriage, child, work, health, addictions and idols, and so on. People are wondering:
Does God know what I am going through?
Does He care?
Does He have the power to do anything about it?
How does God provide to solve these problems? Making disciples is God's designated way to release the power of his gospel on each and every problem we face.
So what should we do?
At any given point you and I are either "becoming" or "making" disciples. There are seasons for both, and they often overlap.
Sometimes we are spiritually dehydrated and we need to fill up in our relationship with Jesus. That's why we need to be actively involved in a church, reading and meditating on God's word for ourselves, and doing life together with a few others in a small group. That's how we "become" disciples.
But when we are filled to the overflow in our relationship of Jesus, then it's time to reproduce. It's time to "make" disciples.
We don't have to be scholars or pastors or preachers to "make."
Consider my friend Victor, an American citizen born in Honduras, who has a burden for Central America. I wrote in How God Makes Men how he went on a missions trip to his native land. His team traveled to several mountain villages, most of which did not have electricity. They had to pack in a generator to run their laptops and projector.
In one Honduran village thirty-four men assembled for a men’s seminar. The pastor was astonished because no one could remember that many men coming together for a spiritual reason in the history of that village. In that region, a church typically has only two or three men and the rest are women.
In those remote villages, men don’t respect women. Fathers routinely abuse their children, both physically and verbally. Against that backdrop, Victor spoke to those men about what it means to be a godly man, husband, and father.
And then something beautiful happened. The very next day, wives came to the pastor and said, “I cannot tell you what a change has taken place in just twenty-four hours.”
Three months later a revisit to that village found the number of men attending its seven smallchurches had doubled, and 150 men were serving God and doing ministry. Many of those men have to walk three hours on dangerous mountain trails to get to the meeting place.
And it all started with a burden. God called Victor to step into a vacuum of knowledge about God and disciple each of those Honduran men how to be a godly man, husband, and father.
Can you imagine how happy those wives and children are going to be over the next several decades because this one man was faithful to not only "become" a disciple, but to "make" disciples?
The greatest mission to which we can aspire is to be a disciple-making disciple. We are the plan.
Milton Greenberg
October 25, 2016
When Lies Take Your Heart Captive
STACEY THACKER
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
Tolerable. This coffee will have to do today. I knew I was beyond the point of hoping for a better brew as I grabbed the Styrofoam cup and pushed the button on the coffee machine in the hospital waiting room.
I swirled an unusual amount of creamer and the contents of several tiny yellow packets into my cup and sipped twice before making my way back to my chair.
My daughter snuggled close as I wrapped one arm around her and held my lukewarm, barely tolerable cup of brown water at a distance. We were waiting, once again, for tests we prayed would give us solid answers. We were also waiting for the sun to come up; I wasn’t sure either was going to happen today.
My mind ran backward over days and weeks of discovering and managing her chronic illness. The intensity had been relentless. To top it off, I was worn thin from being awake all night and fighting a raging battle in my heart. The conversation went something like this:
How could you not know she was sick?
What can I do to fix it?
A good mom would know the answers. What is wrong with you?
I returned to the present moment when our name was finally called, and soon a group of nurses settled my daughter in pre-op. With a few seconds to breathe, I looked at my phone, which seemed like a safe place to rest my eyes. I was surprised to see multiple messages from friends.
First I heard Liz’s voice.
“Stacey, I believe the Lord wants me to tell you right now, ‘You are a good mom.’”
My hand went to my mouth and I lowered my head in disbelief. How did she know I needed to hear these exact words in this moment? I bit my lip to keep from dissolving into an ugly cry. It worked -- barely. She couldn’t have known the enemy was ambushing my heart, working to convince me I should win the award for worst mom of the year.
Other lies had piled on as well. The accuser lied that my mess was too much for my friends ... and too much for Jesus too.
While a current was pulling me under and away from shore, Liz’s words pulled me out and brought me in just in time. When I stopped to consider what she said, the Lord reminded me that even though I was tempted to hide in the middle of my fresh-out-of-amazing moment and let the enemy take my heart captive, Jesus was not having it. My mess was not too much for Him. He was right there with me the whole time.
And my friends? They were loving and supporting me as well.
I may not know what the future holds with my daughter’s chronic illness, but as we continue to make slow progress, I will hold these powerful truths close to my heart.
“Maybe you can relate on some level.” Do you think your mess is too much for Jesus? Are you wrapped in a bunch of lies about your own inadequacies that weigh you down and wear you out?
Can I encourage you with this thought? Jesus doesn’t sit across the table from you or me saying the situation is beyond His pay grade. He leans in close, looks into our eyes, and says, “I will not cast you off, sweet girl. Not ever.”
Jesus is our patient friend. Sometimes He speaks boldly through our sisters in Christ. Other times, He speaks directly to us with truth from His Word. Either way, when you’re tempted to believe one lie, or maybe three, charge back with God’s truth instead.
Every thought. Every emotion. Every lie. Take them captive to obey Christ. Replace them with truth. When we do, they have no chance.
Dear God, nothing is impossible for You. Thank You for speaking words of truth over our hearts in the most loving and compassionate way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 147:5, “Our LORD is great. Nothing is impossible with His overwhelming power. He is loving, compassionate, and wise beyond all measure.” (VOICE)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Do you feel like you need to be amazing -- but you have nothing left to give? You are invited to savor some grace today with Stacey Thacker’s new book, Fresh Out of Amazing: Opening Your Heart to God’s Unexpected Invitation.
Enter to WIN a copy of Fresh Out of Amazing: Opening Your Heart to God’s Unexpected Invitation by Stacey Thacker. In celebration of this book, Stacey's publisher is giving away 5 copies! Enter to win by leaving a comment here. {We'll randomly select 5 winners and email notifications to each one, by Monday, October 31.}
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What lies do you believe? How can you charge back with specific truth from God’s Word?
(c) 2016 by Stacey Thacker.
Milton Greenberg
Full Steam Ahead
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
When young William Borden—heir to the Borden dairy fortune—graduated from high school more than 100 years ago, his father gave him three things for his graduation gift: enough money for a trip around the world, a servant to accompany him and a brand-new Bible. So at just 16 years of age, William traveled throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East, experiencing a mix of cultures and people.
But the combination of seeing human suffering while simultaneously acquainting himself with the Scriptures caused William's heart to be stirred with a calling from God. He committed his life to prepare for the mission field, and he wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No reserve."
Returning home, he enrolled at Yale University, where his spiritual devotion and his ministry to the poor and destitute became well known among the students, faculty and community in New Haven. And though he was courted by both Wall Street and the family business upon graduation, he stayed firm in his desire to serve God overseas. During this time he wrote two additional words in the back of his Bible: "No retreat."
While traveling through Egypt on his way to a mission in China, William contracted a form of spinal meningitis. Within a month, he died. He was only 25. Weeks later, as his father was going through William's things, he came across the Bible he had given his son as a high-school graduation present. The list of short handwritten statements in the back now included a third: "No regrets."
No reserve. No retreat. No regrets. Those six words should challenge all of us to be radical followers of Christ. We should live purposefully in our marriages and families, investing ourselves wholeheartedly in the primary people God has given us to love and to lead. Always forward. Always faithful.
No going back.
Discuss
What areas of your life and marriage are crying out for these words (and actions) of resolve right now?
Pray
Pray that you will both be radical followers of Christ, who don't hold back, don't go back and don't look back with any regrets.
Milton Greenberg
Knowing Whose You Are Changes Everything
TIM TEBOW
http://links.mkt51.net/ctt?kn=243&ms=MTU3NDA2MjYS1&r=OTMzNTE0MzE3ODIS1&b=0&j=ODgxOTc1ODEyS0&mt=1&rt=0
“I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 (NASB)
I remember that night like it was yesterday.
I sat numbed, staring at a powered-off TV, replaying a conversation that aired in real life that morning. One that sucker-punched me to the core.
“We’re letting you go,” said the coaches of the New England Patriots, guys I admired and respected. This wasn’t the first time I’d been cut. It was the third time I was told I couldn’t do what I’d dreamed of doing since I was a little boy -- play quarterback.
That night, I stared into blank space pleading with God, “I thought we had this. I thought You had a plan in mind! What’s the deal?”
I had no job. No car. No home. And I didn’t have a clue what the future held.
I’m not saying getting cut multiple times from different NFL football teams is the end of the world or the worst thing that can happen to a person, but it shook my identity quite a bit. And it definitely made me wrestle with doubt about God’s plan and purpose for my life.
You may or may not relate to football, but I bet there was a time, or two, in your life when you faced a storm that turned your world upside down. Maybe a dream you worked so hard to fulfill flopped. Or your once rock-solid marriage starting crumbling. Or the
cancer came back. Or something you were positive God put on your heart to do didn’t quite turn out the way you expected.
I’ve learned that in these times of disappointment, failure or loss we need to be grounded in our identity in Jesus Christ. Sometimes we cave into cultural or societal pressure and allow the things of this world to define us -- like what we look like, what
kind of car is parked in our garage, what title we hold at the office, how much money is in our bank account, our marriage, how well our kids are doing, how many followers or likes we have on social media.
But as Jesus followers, none of these things define us. If they did, each one of us would be left questioning our identity, because let’s be real ... the material stuff doesn’t last.
Looks fade. Financial situations change. Jobs come and go, friends and followers, too.
So who are we? Maybe the better question is, Whose are we? We are children of God. We were created by Love, in love and for love. And because we belong to Him, we can endure even the toughest of times. This is what our key verse, Psalm 16:8, tells us, “I have
set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
When life throws us curve balls or shatters into tiny bits before our eyes, it’s easy to doubt ourselves, God’s plan, even God Himself. But when we’re hurt, disappointed or frustrated by the negative side of thwarted plans, crushed dreams and painful losses,
we can still hold on to God’s truth.
We can set the Lord continually before us. We can choose over and over to trust God and believe He’s still got a plan for our lives, even when we don’t have a clue what that is. We may feel shaken by emotions and circumstances, but we’ll always have Someone
to hold on to. Someone who will never, ever let us go.
When you know Whose you are, it changes everything.
Dear Jesus, Thank you that You are my Father and I am Your child. Thank You that I am not defined by the world or by others, but by You. Remind me in times of doubt or confusion that You have a plan and a purpose for my life. And that no matter what comes my
way, my faith will stand because You will never let me go. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Milton Greenberg
Milton Greenberg
Theme of the week: Lead By Example
Monday, October 31, 2016
Key Bible Verse: "Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good." (Titus 2:6-7, NIV)
Dig Deeper: 1 Timothy 4:12-16
How would you live differently if you really believed that God had intentionally designed you to impact others?
—Tony Dungy (Analyst for NBC's Football Night in America and a former NFL coach and player)
God has given everyone a platform. Some of those are broad and highly visible, but others are small—or at least they seem that way. A "small" platform is huge when it impacts even one other person who goes on to impact many. God is the author of our platform, and he gives us the privilege of using it to influence others. Sometimes we don't see the results of our investment in other people's lives for years to come, if at all. But everyone's platform is unique, and God has a plan for it.
You may not be a Heisman Trophy winner or a Super Bowl champion, but you have influence. A platform that may seem small to you can have lasting impact that you will only discover in eternity. That's why it's important to never sell your platform short.
God is a master of doing big things with small beginnings. And he has put you where you are—and surrounded you with the people you know—for a reason.
Adapted The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge ©2011 by Tony Dungy.
Milton Greenberg
The Five Things Scott Hamilton’s Third Brain Tumor Can Teach Us About Life
Included in the book are such familiar names as Apple founder Steve Jobs, First Lady Nancy Reagan, the inventor and botanist George Washington Carver and President Gerald Ford.
But the profile I chose to share in this month’s newsletter featured the adoption story of former Olympic skater and 1984 gold-medalist Scott Hamilton. In addition to their two biological kids, he and his wife, Tracie, have also adopted two children.
Scott’s story is an inspirational tale of how, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, an undersized boy from Toledo could grow up to achieve incredible success both on and off the ice.
Well, Scott is back in the news this week, but unfortunately, the news is not good. For today’s post, given his familiarity with the subject, I asked Paul to reflect and offer some thoughts on Scott’s diagnosis. Like the moral of all the stories in his book, Paul concludes that we can learn something profound from the life and times of Scott Hamilton:
For the third time in his life, the 58-year-old husband and father of four has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Having previously battled testicular cancer in 1997 and brain tumors in 2004 and 2010, the former skater has a wry sense of humor about it all.
“I have a unique hobby of collecting life-threatening illness,” he told People Magazine. “It’s six years later, and it decided that it wanted an encore.”
But Scott’s response to this latest medical setback isn’t borne of a glib comedic temperament. Instead, it’s rooted in his deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, considering the way Scott has managed the various tribulations that have beset him, I think there are five things he can teach us about the unpredictable twists and turns of life:
1. Adversity is often opportunity in disguise.
When Scott was a toddler, his parents became alarmed when he failed to grow at a normal rate. He saw numerous specialists and experimented with various diets, to no avail. It wasn’t until after he retired from skating that he learned his growth had been stunted by a benign tumor on his pituitary gland. He would later posit that had he grown to a normal size, he never would have succeeded as a professional skater.
The Lord often uses our infirmities for His larger purposes. Rather than only lamenting our lot, it is good to ask how He might want us to use our weaknesses to glorify Him.
2. Hardship changes us – it never keeps us the same.
It was during one of Scott’s hospitalizations that he encountered a nurse who challenged him to speak with God like a son to his father. This spiritual insight was transformational in Scott’s life and provided him with the strength to carry on.
The great challenge is to not grow bitter or compare ourselves to someone else when troubles come. Like exercise is to a muscle, so are trials to the believer.
3. Every day is a gift.
You see life differently when faced with the very real prospect of premature death. Scott has learned to not take any time for granted. “God doesn’t owe me a day,” he told his wife, Tracie.
Do you wake up and see the time before you as a blessing or a burden? Life is brief. “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow,” wrote James. “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (4:14).
4. We can’t choose our condition, but we can choose our attitude.
After receiving the difficult diagnosis earlier this year, Scott told his wife, “I choose to truly — in everything that we do — celebrate life.” He would later say, “The only true disability in life is a bad attitude.”
Isn’t that a remarkable and faith-filled response to difficulty? “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice,” wrote the apostle Paul. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).
5. All is well.
Not every story this side of eternity has a happy ending. And according to Scott, while sad, that’s ultimately okay. “I’m good,” he said. “Whatever’s next is next.” To be sure, the former skater is not employing a cavalier, apathetic approach to reality. Nor is he dismissing the difficulties of illness. Instead, he’s affirming his confidence in His Heavenly father’s unfailing love.
“God is there to guide you through the tough spots,” reflected Scott. “Every time I’ve gotten knocked down, I’ve been able to get up. Skating teaches you how to get up, because you fall down a lot. I would urge anyone to weather the storm, because on the other side of it will be something great.”
One man. Three brain tumors. Five profound lessons. Thank you and God be with you, Scott Hamilton.
Milton Greenberg
November 2
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Several years ago, I was preaching one morning on today’s Scripture, and we had a big hiccup in our sound system. The microphone was popping, squealing, and screeching. Needless to say, I was very frustrated with the whole situation.
I stepped off the stage after the sermon intending to go share my frustration with the people in the sound room. But just as I was about to open the door, I remembered the verse I preached that morning. I probably would’ve handled it okay regardless, but I do know I had an extra measure of grace in light of the verse that was fresh in my mind.
Walking away from that day, I really spent some time thinking about what our lives would look like if before every decision we made, we remembered what God’s Word said first. And I believe one of the biggest areas of our lives that would change is how we treat others.
It’s my prayer that the people of God would love one another so well that the world would see us and say, “Something is different about them.” Love one another with kindness and compassion. Not only will you be obedient to God, but you’ll also give the world a glimpse of the hope that’s in you.
BE KIND AND FORGIVING, AND LET YOUR LOVE FOR OTHERS BE A BEACON TO A LOST WORLD.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
Milton Greenberg
There’s hardly a day that I don’t have a question, face a situation, confront a problem, feel stressed by some burden, or experience the ache of a pressing need that is beyond me. Some days my prayers are very simple, short and urgent, “Help God!”
One of the great things about God is His availability and willingness to help people. As amazing as it is to imagine, God identifies Himself as a people-helper. He really cares about our problems and predicaments. He genuinely wants to help us. The pages of the Bible are filled with stories of God helping regular, ordinary people.
Accessing God’s assistance isn’t complex. There are some simple, but essential things that help us get God’s help. Let’s look at a few of these:
1. Ask for God’s help.
“Asking” precedes “receiving.” Many times we don’t get the help we need because we never specifically asked God for it.
Ask God for the help you need. Take your troubles, challenges, questions, pressures and confusion to God in prayer.
2. Believe that God loves you and wants to help you.
This is called faith. Faith believes BEFORE it sees! Faith says, “I believe God can and will help me!”
3. Have the passion and patience to persist.
Impatience is a big problem for most of us. We want to tell God how to help us, and when to help us. And, of course, the when is now!
Never forget that God’s help is generated out of His love and wisdom. His solutions, answers and interventions may be different from what we wanted or expected, but they will always be better than anything we could have imagined. He always knows best.
God’s response may also seem delayed. Delays are not denials or dismissals. They are delays! Wait patiently and persistently. Wait wisely, trusting that God is working in ways that will ultimately be for your good, and for His glory.
4. Be prepared to listen and learn.
What we often need isn’t a miraculous intervention as much as a deeper education. Sometimes the greatest and most gracious thing God can do to help you isn’t to fix your problem, but to teach you how to fix it.
God is an educator, a trainer, a coach. Don’t expect all of God’s help to come in the form of a miracle. Many times He helps you by teaching you His principles. Listen and learn.
5. Be willing to obey.
Obedience to God solves most of our problems. God has already helped you by giving you an instruction manual for life. It’s called the Bible.
Use it to solve your problems, answer you questions, relieve your stress, and guide your decisions. Let the Bible become your go to ”Help Desk!”
Remember, God is your Helper. Go to Him confidently and sincerely, and expect Him to help you!
Pastor Dale
Milton Greenberg
Tim Tebow devotional:
A Future and a Hope
What do you do when life shakes you?
- When your health fails...
- When you lose your job...
- When you get divorced...
- When your dream flops...
- When you make that one bad decision...
- What do you do when something that has defined you your entire life is gone?
- When your platform disappears...
- When your perfect family is torn apart...
- When you go bankrupt...
- When your looks fade…
In tough moments like these, it’s easy to question who we are. When my NFL career was crumbling, at times I’d wonder the same thing. Am I the person who won the Heisman Trophy? Or am I the person who has been told over and over by so-called analysts that I can’t throw?
The dictionary defines identity as “who someone is, the name of a person, the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from others.” I like to say that identity comes not necessarily from who we are, but from whose we are.
I am a child of God. My foundation for who I am is grounded in my faith. In a God who loves me. In a God who gives me purpose. In a God who sees the big picture. In a God who always has a greater plan.
Who am I? I am the object of His love.
So while I may get hurt, disappointed, or frustrated by the negative side of life’s equations, my foundation doesn’t have to change. Even if I wrestle with internal feelings, I can hold on to God’s truth. I know He’s got a plan for me, even when I don’t know what it is or when it seems to look totally different than what I imagined.
This is what identity is about. It comes from God. And it gives us a future and a hope.
How do you see yourself?
How do you think God sees you?
Milton Greenberg
Two Songs
Theme of the Week: Grace Or Obedience?
Monday, November 7, 2016
Key Bible Verse: "A body that doesn't breathe is dead. In the same way faith that does nothing is dead." (James 2:26, GW)
Dig Deeper: James 2:14-26
We may know what God has saved us from, but have we lost sight of what God has saved us for?
—Rankin Wilbourne (Senior pastor of Pacific Crossroads Church in Los Angeles, California)
Why does the life the Bible describes look so different from the lives many professing Christians are living? Wise spiritual counselors give us conflicting advice about the root of the problem and the way to move forward.
There are two dominant voices on offer today—one we will call the way of extravagant grace, "just believe," and the other we'll call the way of radical discipleship, "just obey." We often can't help but hear them as two different songs playing in our heads.
Imagine each of these songs with its own volume knob. As we turn up the volume on one, we often instinctively turn down the volume on the other. Or, we may think we have to listen to each at half-volume. We seek some balance and wonder how to hold these melodies together in harmony.
This isn't an academic question. It has everything to do with how we live, how we pray, what we think of when we think about God, and therefore how (and how often) we approach him.
Adapted Union with Christ ©2016 by Rankin Wilbourne.
Milton Greenberg
Miracles
Posted by Pastor Dale on 07 Nov 2016
Sometimes life is beyond hard; it’s impossible! Webster defines impossible as “unable to be done or to happen.” There are things that come our way that require something we don’t have, can’t do, or are powerless to make happen. Some things aren’t just hard, they’re impossible for us. What do we do when these challenges come our way?
The Israelites in the Old Testament had one of these moments at the edge of their Promised Land. After four long, tough decades of walking around in the wilderness, it was now time for the Israelites to step into the land God prepared them. They were camping on the eastern shore of the Jordan River and the Promised Land was west, over the river. To get in they had to cross the Jordan. To make a challenging situation worse, the river was flooded. The massive amount of water, and the strong currents during flood season, meant that crossing couldn’t and wouldn’t happen without a miracle.
God gave Joshua a clear set of instructions for leading the people in. Take a moment and read this part of the story and what happened when the people obeyed:
Joshua 3:11-16 (NLT) Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! Now choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.
What’s the lesson for us? While much of what God does in our lives is the result of processes, time and our responsible actions, He is also the God of miracles!
There are times and situations when and where miracles are needed. There are times and situations when and where God seems to prefer performing a miracle. While our lives are not to be built around the expectation of, or need for constant miracles, neither should we deny the miraculous, despise the miraculous, or allow our confidence in the God of miracles to diminish.
God led the Israelites to the edge of the eastern shore of the Jordan River at the most inopportune, impossible time of the year. It was flood season! Getting across the Jordan River was humanly impossible, yet God said “go in!” Although it was the ”wrong time” in the natural, it was the “right time” in the spiritual. Remember, God’s time is ALWAYS the right time!
Miracles are made for the impossible moments in life. Miracles happen when the human way won’t work. Miracles happen when the unyielding limitations of the present are in the way of God’s plans and purposes for the future. Miracles happen when we obey God’s Word and believe God’s promises, no matter what we feel like, or what the circumstances look like.
God is the God of miracles. Miracles are not hard for God. Our impossible problems are God’s opportunities to show us His power. If your life situation is beyond hard, if it’s impossible, trust the God of miracles!
Pastor Dale