tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83852857691078938592024-02-19T18:49:15.792-08:00Desperate For GraceThoughts and learnings about following Jesus and helping others discover the amazing freedom of a life of grace.David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-36464784467685730642015-04-10T09:54:00.004-07:002015-04-10T09:54:42.411-07:00The Book of Revelation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I need to
make a confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book of
Revelation in the Bible isn’t one of my favorites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, over the years I’ve pretty much
skimmed over it, except for the beginning and the ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of it is my experiences early in my walk
with Jesus and part of it is my personality.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was born
in 1962.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot was happening in the USA
and the world around that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
facing huge culture shifts, the world was becoming smaller with TV screens bringing
into our front rooms images from wars, revolutions, politics and religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With so much change happening, some people
thought it would be good to write books about the end of the world and the book
of Revelation was the source of some really crazy stuff that was written and
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>G.K. Chesterton is to have said,
“Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw
no creatures so wild as one of his own commentators.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What people wrote about did – and still does
– seem really off the mark of what the Bible was about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I left it alone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The other
thing about the book of Revelation is it reads like science-fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m more of realist who thinks about the now
and the immediate future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never got into
the sci-fi genre of books and movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All you sci-fi fans out there, relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s nothing personal – I just wasn’t into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But
Revelation is part of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
think it has an important message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
for the last few years I’ve entertained the idea of preaching through the
book….and then chickened out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now
I’ve screwed up my courage and I’m jumping into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Revelation
was written during a time when things were going to hell in a hand basket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be a follower of Jesus was a costly thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christians of the time were an
increasingly persecuted minority, often just seen as a sect of Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Roman ruler of the time, Domitian,
thought it a good idea to make himself a god, ordering people to refer to him
as “Lord of the earth,” “Invincible,” “Thou Alone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you didn’t, you got punished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or killed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It’s easy
to live in the here and now if the here and now is relatively peaceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when life starts going sideways, we want
to know what the future holds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want
to have some hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is where the
book of Revelation comes in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
ultimately a drama that creatively has reminded followers of Jesus for
centuries that, no matter how bad it gets, Jesus wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Jesus wins and God is going to bring
justice to all things, there is hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do you know
anyone who could use some hope?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invite
them along for the ride as we get a glimpse of God’s Kingdom and his
promises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s going to be
interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And oh - pray for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to need it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-85883245776181872032015-02-12T09:45:00.002-08:002015-02-12T09:45:51.208-08:00Live Like Nobody Else - Take Time To Play<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A number of
years ago I asked my wife Pam to do an exercise with me in intentional
living. The question we were answering
was “<i>What do you want your kids to
remember about you?</i>” One of the
answers I gave was they would remember I loved them sacrificially so they grew
up to be spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically healthy
people. But I have mostly remembered one
of the things Pam wrote down: “<i>I want them to remember that I played with
them</i>.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuMv3eQkeUVIrd_0vKwPJeWQmP6EcRf6iiTBB6amHPRftXBPLL25H4Saxit7Bu4pGBGF8VQt4vgucKkoxkcJQhHoJrLW-Zjwzs28TX-UESU5dytcjQPrWdYIaIYI1hQOO6MVNYP1qxs8/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUuMv3eQkeUVIrd_0vKwPJeWQmP6EcRf6iiTBB6amHPRftXBPLL25H4Saxit7Bu4pGBGF8VQt4vgucKkoxkcJQhHoJrLW-Zjwzs28TX-UESU5dytcjQPrWdYIaIYI1hQOO6MVNYP1qxs8/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pam's contribution to Crazy Hat Day at<br />Markham School where she teaches<br />7th Grade science. Aggie the dog says,<br />"Mom Rocks!!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me be
honest here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not real great at
playing with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well – that’s not
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m good at playing with others if
I have a chance of winning against them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there is a bit of the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">slightly</i> a touch on
the Type A personality side of the spectrum (that was sarcasm, in case you
didn’t get it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know those Type A
people – driven, results-oriented overachievers who are never satisfied with
the status quo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Type A people have
brought a lot of good to the world, don’t get me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they have also left a trail of damaged
goods in themselves and others along the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A Type A person isn’t likely to become a Type B person who is carefree,
happy-go-lucky and go-with-the-flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
they can hav<o:p></o:p></div>
e health and balance in their life and it has a lot to do with the
ability to play.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I’m
reading through the Bible in a year, I was reading Exodus 31:12-17 where Moses
gets instructions from God on the Sabbath at the end of a whole bunch of very
detailed instructions on how to go about worshipping him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God starts it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Above all</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> you shall keep my Sabbaths…”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Above all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More important than
anything else you said?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is this so
important?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Sabbath
has its roots in the creation order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(See Genesis 2:2-3 for the context.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Genesis tells us God did the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">work</i></b> of creation for six days and
then on the seventh day he <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rested and was refreshed</i></b>. (see
Exodus 31:17)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seventh day was holy,
which means set apart and consecrated for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we are practicing holiness in our life, there will be rest and
renewal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is part of God’s unchanging
order of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here’s the
problem in our lives today – we live in a margin-less and boundary-less
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means we are constantly
driven, constantly connected to the electronic leash of our smartphones,
constantly under stress, constantly on the move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live a life without Sabbath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live a life without the space to
play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t rest and we aren’t
getting renewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me be
honest again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like talking about
this subject because I really have a long way to go in my obedience in this
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m learning that taking time to
rest is an act of faith, it is saying I’m not bigger than God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking rest is trusting God can get done what
needs to be done without me being overworked and overstressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like giving 10% of my income is trusting
God that I can accomplish more with 90% of my income, taking a Sabbath day of
rest is trusting God that I can do enough in 6 days.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Feel free
to ask me how I’m doing with my play-life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when you do, be prepared for me to ask you the same!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s take time to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be better lovers of God and much more
fondly remembered if we do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-30779935843902203312014-12-20T16:51:00.000-08:002014-12-20T16:51:10.484-08:00Hope That Shines When You Didn’t Know You Needed It <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was
walking through the grocery store, on my way to pick up a bowl of soup for a
quick lunch when I got the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
from my financial planner asking me what account we wanted the $65,000
deposited that was being transferred from an Ameritrade account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I actually stopped walking at that
point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjXk16LqLMAOOARRitvn87yCWsYsjokq4QPEoPPbwq57bpuapezBspY_YhkrkGETjl92FiMipHXxjP37pFZilokf4BShTNI9TdI7GE6Lg5N-RwLMI-7OoS2ItnmkgnRHv6XVB_9Famtk/s1600/grocery+shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjXk16LqLMAOOARRitvn87yCWsYsjokq4QPEoPPbwq57bpuapezBspY_YhkrkGETjl92FiMipHXxjP37pFZilokf4BShTNI9TdI7GE6Lg5N-RwLMI-7OoS2ItnmkgnRHv6XVB_9Famtk/s1600/grocery+shopping.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
You see, I wasn’t expecting any
type of transfer from anyone’s Ameritrade account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely had no idea where $65,000 would
be coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I let them know that but
I also did say, if someone was wanting to pass on a $65,000 Christmas gift, Pam
and I were definitely willing to bear the sacrifice of such generosity!<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes
the extraordinary shows up in the midst of the ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is life as normal – mundane and routine –
and then something happens that is totally unexpected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We become part of a story we didn’t even know
was happening.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God does
that sort of thing pretty regularly, it seems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are going along, minding our own business and God shows up in crisis
or opportunity, wrecking our reality in the process, throwing us into new
levels of faith we sometimes didn’t want.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Christmas story is this kind of story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone who is a part of the Christmas story of Jesus was thrown into
crisis and opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone was
forced to see God in a new way, to make choices of following or rejecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story of Christmas was life altering in
this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Although
the Christmas story caused great turmoil and disruption, it is still ultimately
a story of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a story of hope
because Jesus brought light to the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laid bare both the political reality of the day and the personal
reality of the people who encountered him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It required people to make a choice – follow
or reject.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our
times where Christmas is a safe story filled with traditions and
sentimentality, it can be hard to capture the power of the first
Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it should always remind
us that God still shows up unexpectedly in the midst of the normal, the
routine, the mundane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when he does
it is both a crisis and an opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when he shows up it is an invitation to follow – you have a choice
to be made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My prayer
this Christmas is, in the midst of the joy, traditions, songs, shopping, giving
and getting, God would unexpectedly show up with such power and such beauty you
would be thrown into the chaos of crisis and opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayer is you would say yes to Jesus, yes
to new faith and yes to deeper faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when you do you would see the hope that shines brighter than the
crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray this Christmas you will
see Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-30171301273700182162014-12-05T08:40:00.000-08:002014-12-05T08:40:15.654-08:00I Don’t Want To Be Here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i>This is not good</i>.” That is what I thought as we sat there. It was dark.
It was getting colder by the minute – winter in Chicago is like that. We were in a bad spot both literally and
figuratively as we sat in our little Ford Escort in the left emergency lane on
a sweeping left turn. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsDjS6huIat-coNlwlAjGgvFomRBYOghf7MJAcGNehqd0ULPA7uf_GFDfpdjDHuskyHEWdHZCFnF4qcgpi3ztUjux7NJ6cX34koTYDG1NcTyVVrC1p0Vpj8pBKrGFW8wDFdW4vT-3ijU/s1600/Dan+Ryan+Expressway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsDjS6huIat-coNlwlAjGgvFomRBYOghf7MJAcGNehqd0ULPA7uf_GFDfpdjDHuskyHEWdHZCFnF4qcgpi3ztUjux7NJ6cX34koTYDG1NcTyVVrC1p0Vpj8pBKrGFW8wDFdW4vT-3ijU/s1600/Dan+Ryan+Expressway.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
We were on the Dan
Ryan Expressway on the Southside of Chicago with a broken timing belt, in the
days before cell phones. Traffic
continued to zip by as Pam and I sat there in our semi-formal attire, wondering
how in the heck we were going to get some help.
This was not according to our plan and we didn’t want to be there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not according to plan.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
don’t want to be here</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you
ever had those words go through your mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No matter how carefully we try to control our lives, not matter how
carefully we plan we can find ourselves in times and places not of our
choosing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darkness is an apt image for
these times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting colder is an apt feeling
for the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is in these times
where it is common for us to ask the question, “God, where are you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the
people of God in the Old Testament, one of the most transformative experiences
was the Babylonian exile where up to 70,000 men, women and children were moved
from Jerusalem to Babylon because they were a conquered people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah was one of the prophets God sent to
speak truth to these people who found themselves “not according to plan” and
not where they wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like us
when we find ourselves in similar unwanted circumstances, their focus was on
getting back to normal by getting out of this situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a better place, a better people and
a better situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get us out of here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you relate?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is into
this difficult circumstance Jeremiah speaks God’s words:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>For I know the plans I have
for you, declares the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, plans
for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.</i>” (Jeremiah
29:11, ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I can
imagine those who first heard these words spoken to them were a bit
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this was true, why wasn’t
God doing something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why weren’t they
being delivered?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why weren’t they being
returned to their homeland?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God, where are you?</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The thing
the people of Jeremiah’s time had to learn is the same thing we have to
learn:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hope is not found in us getting out of our circumstances, hope is found
when God shows up in our circumstances</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God told them and he tells us this powerful truth – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wherever you are, there I Am.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am with you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the
names of Jesus revealed in the Old Testament is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emmanuel</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name means
“God is with us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is our future
and our hope and he is right were you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is the light of hope we celebrate in Christmas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-AwD7D-PmKT4lgfHLQp4UkCQWdcbR3rPaapsCYr-9_QRbUJyIeD5hEALNbTKGuzhx5DB-xcC8zO_mmccy0Piym5Tmgwi7CkHZ2gn26ifFjyQS6kxUFXx2LFPxr8JlyGakp_nrItFm-c/s1600/MainGraphic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-AwD7D-PmKT4lgfHLQp4UkCQWdcbR3rPaapsCYr-9_QRbUJyIeD5hEALNbTKGuzhx5DB-xcC8zO_mmccy0Piym5Tmgwi7CkHZ2gn26ifFjyQS6kxUFXx2LFPxr8JlyGakp_nrItFm-c/s1600/MainGraphic.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what God told Jeremiah to remind his
people right after he told them he had hadn’t forgotten them, he knew what was
happening and there is a future and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As Pam and I sat in the dark and
cold, helpless and without options, we still had one option and that was to
pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after that a passing tow truck made
his way over to us and towed our car back to our community an hour away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In that dark, cold place where you
find yourself without options, there is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i></b> one option available and that
is to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><b>Wherever you are, God
is.</b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants you to know that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peace
and grace,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">David<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-24717685631913690442014-09-19T08:35:00.001-07:002014-09-19T08:35:54.820-07:00Making Room For Grief<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Grief, more than anything, touches
the deepest part of who we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we
do with grief can either tear us apart or open our eyes to hope we never knew
existed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpW9O20prJD3hY3TL7ZOQ2ea6b0zxBvibJVilVABbVhtsVSwVSnxIcod6hpWyWOwfx-2HivYtNjuVCIeFrkUCpd-uBxqGR6R8MBDyyZsuhL13L0hfvwKkF0ySuupZ-ldLdkpKpZu6X-TM/s1600/Man_Crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpW9O20prJD3hY3TL7ZOQ2ea6b0zxBvibJVilVABbVhtsVSwVSnxIcod6hpWyWOwfx-2HivYtNjuVCIeFrkUCpd-uBxqGR6R8MBDyyZsuhL13L0hfvwKkF0ySuupZ-ldLdkpKpZu6X-TM/s1600/Man_Crying.jpg" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grief
happens when we lose something of value to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All of us live with unvoiced expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they are unvoiced because we don’t
even realize we have them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Expectations
we will not have to bury our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expectations our marriage will last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expectations we will live a long life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expectations our community of faith will hold together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Expectations we will always have beauty
around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only when life doesn’t turn
out the way we expected do we realize how deeply we held onto these secret
hopes and dreams.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right now
we are helplessly watching the largest fire in recent memory in El Dorado
County ravage the wilderness we have taken for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a sense of relief that the fire has
so far been turned back from destroying homes and taking lives<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once that relief is over the thought of the
loss of the beauty we have taken for granted has overwhelmed many people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most common emotional response has been
anger – especially directed toward the person who was arrested for starting the
fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want to get an idea of what
unbridled anger sounds like, read what people are saying about him on social
media sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of anger is what
will destroy us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James warned us about
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be
quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not
produce the righteousness of God.</i>” (James 1:19–20, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>James lets
us know there is an anger in us that isn’t any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the anger that turns into
bitterness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bitterness destroys us and
those we come into contact with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the
Bible also tells us there is an anger that is righteous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is right and understandable to experience
anger when beauty is destroyed, when cancer or mental illness destroy a life,
when families disintegrate under the weight of divorce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not as God intended and God grieves
over the brokenness in the world we live in – a brokenness we unfortunately are
part of perpetuating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, God gets
angry about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is
another path on the other side of anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We don’t have to go down the path of bitterness, we can choose to go
down the path of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it requires
us to look to the One who is bigger than our circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul was trying to get this across to the
early church in his letter to the church in Rome:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>If
in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be
pitied.</i>” (1 Corinthians 15:19, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Paul
reminded them (and us) that there is something beyond what we can see and
sometimes comprehend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope in this world
will always disappoint us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your faith
in Jesus is only that you will have a “good life” it isn’t going to work out
very well for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it is almost
guaranteed you are going to go down the path of bitterness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
essential part of the Jesus story is that he is going to make all things
new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From beginning to end the Bible is
full of examples of this storyline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
screw up, evil seems to win, everything looks hopeless, we are crushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then, a flower blooms in an unexpected
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the story of the
crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPllc96ecRiRQOYrjVOobhfROted4T3JttzqOm-YJS4lWNreSptM2SdtyG0m8yIv0CEKAZVcBfQSkUqtTg23TFRNZC8HpdEHhmeDKezbzYOvffdfv_yzarI9rd_0dwFKYhfxqHSWJ3Cs/s1600/100_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPllc96ecRiRQOYrjVOobhfROted4T3JttzqOm-YJS4lWNreSptM2SdtyG0m8yIv0CEKAZVcBfQSkUqtTg23TFRNZC8HpdEHhmeDKezbzYOvffdfv_yzarI9rd_0dwFKYhfxqHSWJ3Cs/s1600/100_0155.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You’re
going to experience grief in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But are you willing to look for the flower and embrace the hope of
renewed beauty in your grief?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make room
in your grief for the grace and beauty of Jesus to show up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how long it will take, but I
know it will bloom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one day, it will
be forever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-58265003012831225872014-09-11T12:51:00.000-07:002014-09-11T12:51:18.362-07:00Simplify<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcUbAalTMEudLuHpB4KdSxKgtE_byaXAzkmY0IBvFijdRnEkRlHqkatkXl7gk1DfAVwXy3FFBOEloDYFbZQ2SESXROzz2iP2BJ3E-NpxI1lLjYEz2rzEvfWyg343phmKNEcY49-zH9wg/s1600/100_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcUbAalTMEudLuHpB4KdSxKgtE_byaXAzkmY0IBvFijdRnEkRlHqkatkXl7gk1DfAVwXy3FFBOEloDYFbZQ2SESXROzz2iP2BJ3E-NpxI1lLjYEz2rzEvfWyg343phmKNEcY49-zH9wg/s1600/100_0366.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I recently
took a solo backpack trip into the Desolation Wilderness. I just needed to get away for some “me and
Jesus” time so I loaded up my backpack with the essentials on a Sunday
afternoon and 3 hours later I was all by myself watching the sunset at 8,000 foot
elevation next to a lake. It was
beautiful and peaceful. And I was
tired. The tiredness was from lugging my
pack full of “essentials” a couple thousand feet uphill.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am an
Eagle Boy Scout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The motto of the Boy
Scouts is “Be Prepared.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was
drilled into me as a kid and has come in very hand throughout my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at times I have acted like “Be
Prepared” means carrying with me any tool I might need in any situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is, all that “stuff” gets heavy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I went
through the stuff in my pack at that lake, I kept finding things I really
didn’t need at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had too much food,
too many clothes, too much extraneous gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could have left a lot of things home and lightened my load.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have been an easier trip, for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I had a good reason for every item I put
in my pack – I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might</i> need it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mark
records for us a story of Jesus sending his 12 closest disciples on an
important mission to tell people about this new kingdom Jesus kept teaching
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look what Jesus says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>And
he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them
authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their
journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear
sandals and not put on two tunics.</i>” (Mark 6:7–9, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now,
clearly these instructions are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">descriptive</i>
of a particular event and not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prescriptive</i>
of how everyone is to go out and about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we shouldn’t dismiss the significance of what Jesus
communicates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said it and it is
recorded for a reason – there is something we should pay attention to in these
words of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I think it is
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When we are following Jesus, we
need less than we think.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
unnecessary things in life become distractions, weigh us down and slow us down – in mind, body and
soul.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsOKjVqtmcBfw-_vGsBPOZz5zsOCQ2yaqDGFjU9hRS1N99XCstmNTU9Igmnc5hh8rVv-i0_3p3xM3brPULuLwbXn9KgOqFrrlXy__rDe_DMw_KCw7Z3i32rF-2zXDZ6-eQEYxQJ60Y-E/s1600/SimplifyMain.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsOKjVqtmcBfw-_vGsBPOZz5zsOCQ2yaqDGFjU9hRS1N99XCstmNTU9Igmnc5hh8rVv-i0_3p3xM3brPULuLwbXn9KgOqFrrlXy__rDe_DMw_KCw7Z3i32rF-2zXDZ6-eQEYxQJ60Y-E/s1600/SimplifyMain.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This week we
are starting an adventure called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simplify</i></b> where we are going to take
a look at the things that clutter our soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This isn’t going to be an intellectual exercise, it is going to be a
practical journey that will challenge all of us to be less encumbered with
“stuff” so we can live life more fully – the life Jesus invites us to
live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each week we will look at a
critical area of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will have a
Bible verse to meditate upon and practical actions steps to remove the clutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some will be fun, some will be painful, all
will be freeing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have to
be honest, I’m looking forward to this with mixed emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I will be personally challenged with
some of my “stuff” I have been hoarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I’m excited about the freedom it is going to bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you will join me as we <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simplify</i></b>
so we can live the life Jesus promised.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Come to me, all who labor
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from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”</i>” (Matthew 11:28–30,
ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-35723667155643309472014-07-03T08:59:00.002-07:002014-07-03T09:04:58.052-07:00How To Be A Spiritual Leader – Only One Outcome Matters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“<span lang="en-US" style="font-style: italic;">And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.</span>” (<span lang="en-US">Ezekiel 36:26–28</span>, ESV)
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When news
broke about the gunman entering the Seattle Pacific University (SPU) campus in
Seattle, WA and indiscriminately firing a shotgun at students, it touched home
for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My nephew is a recent graduate
of SPU.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young woman from our church
who just graduated from High School will be attending there this Fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the former pastors at Cold Springs
Church has a daughter who has taught there for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I anxiously scanned articles, looking for
names I might recognize.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The result
of this attack was one young man dead, another student seriously wounded and a
myriad of memories of horror that will last a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the story is not uncommon
these days, of someone mentally ill and also, I firmly believe, spiritually
oppressed taking out their rage in acts of mass violence against
innocents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stories are always
heart-wrenching if we allow our hearts to be touched by them.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCpEPMPVr24t71C2uo5P8rhLqti9gmbAklXBni7A0HReqgKlTIe7pIgIefa7uIuCgzx1gcyt2piRZlxxniV2dF9McrW8eqRd9mU-PmGrtwTKpUHMqk4Q-ki-Qy5WYKfdawlUqujB5HBQ/s1600/Seattle-Campus-Shooting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCpEPMPVr24t71C2uo5P8rhLqti9gmbAklXBni7A0HReqgKlTIe7pIgIefa7uIuCgzx1gcyt2piRZlxxniV2dF9McrW8eqRd9mU-PmGrtwTKpUHMqk4Q-ki-Qy5WYKfdawlUqujB5HBQ/s1600/Seattle-Campus-Shooting.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Students and faculty pray together following a shooting on
the campus of Seattle Pacific University Thursday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Photo: Elaine Thompson, AP)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But as I
followed this story, a difference emerged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The difference was so pronounced the Seattle Times wrote an article
entitled “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At faith-based Seattle Pacific
University, grief without despair</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You see, SPU is a Christ-centered university that takes following Jesus
seriously and sees itself as not just a place of higher education but one who
also has the responsibility of deepening their students <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spiritual</i> education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
when tragedy randomly came knocking on their door, they were ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the article, Bob Zurinsky, SPU’s assistant
director of university ministries said this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What we’ve witnessed at SPU,” he
said, “has been not so much a reactive burst of energy, but rather a deep response
that reflects many years of immersion in the practice of grace, worship and
life together</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he was
referring to was the almost peaceful reactions from students and staff –
starting with the 911 calls and following through to the prayer vigils where
prayers were lifted up for the shooter as well as the victims.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What would
make someone react that way?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would cause
someone to have grace and peace in the face of crisis, pain and evil?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the reaction of the people at SPU was
so different it captured the attention of the major newspaper in a decidedly
secular and often-times antagonistic culture toward the Christian faith.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fifteen
times the Apostle Paul greets and encourages the people he wrote to with a form
of the phrase “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Grace to you and peace
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The difference the Seattle Times observed was
the overflow of lives immersed in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grace</i></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peace</i></b> from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the
result of people who practiced walking with Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people who walked with Jesus experienced
transformed hearts that empowered them to see life through a different lens and
live life through a divine power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Spiritual
leadership is influencing people toward Jesus so they can be transformed by his
love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritual leadership is continuing
to influence people toward Jesus so they walk with Jesus daily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this daily journey with Jesus there
becomes a growing awareness of God’s grace and the peace that passes all
understanding.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, how is
your heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grace</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peace</i> gauges on the dashboard of your soul read?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk close to Jesus and they will read full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People will notice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-72564230194098736262014-06-27T08:07:00.001-07:002014-06-27T08:07:39.412-07:00You Are Not The Exception <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Did you know the overall odds of
winning any prize in the MEGA Millions lottery is about 1 in 15 but the odds of
winning the jackpot is about 1 in 259 million?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And there you have the marketing catch – it is likely you can win <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i> but pretty much impossible you
will win big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, because you win a
little, they keep the hope alive that one day you will “win the big one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe we are the exception.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We engage
in this type of thinking a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talk,
Facebook or text on our cell phone while driving because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we are the exception</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
do it safely and nothing will happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
drive without our seatbelt on because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we
are the exception</i> that we won’t get in an accident and, if we do, the
seatbelt would hurt us more than help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We push and push and push ourselves in our schedule with all of the
things we need to do, all the long hours at work to get things done, all the
activities the kids <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">have to</b> be
involved in to grow up to be well-adjusted adults meanwhile neglecting real
relationship with our kids, real relationship with our spouse and real
relationship with Jesus because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we are
the exception</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Others might not be
able to handle it but the pace of my life isn’t having a detrimental effect on
myself or others,” we tell ourselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You
are not the exception</i>.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>But now even more the report
about [Jesus] went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be
healed of their infirmities. But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and
pray.</i>” (Luke 5:15–16, ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yB5HHnT_5uIlMVfoOg5EN_dBGPA4FxdDr4KoVs6YqRxjvcJYPpwWcI2w3fbnyaVvJiQiMNimqz4F0sUQoq2s21beJDK0VmuHDvAENyMLldML8YvgCX7fcbK3dGjtiKZ0j9CySRX_xqc/s1600/There%252520are%252520no%252520exceptions%252520to%252520the%252520rule%252520that%252520everybody%252520likes%252520to%252520be%252520an%252520exception%252520to%252520the%252520rule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yB5HHnT_5uIlMVfoOg5EN_dBGPA4FxdDr4KoVs6YqRxjvcJYPpwWcI2w3fbnyaVvJiQiMNimqz4F0sUQoq2s21beJDK0VmuHDvAENyMLldML8YvgCX7fcbK3dGjtiKZ0j9CySRX_xqc/s1600/There%252520are%252520no%252520exceptions%252520to%252520the%252520rule%252520that%252520everybody%252520likes%252520to%252520be%252520an%252520exception%252520to%252520the%252520rule.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Leadership
is influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritual leadership is
influencing people toward Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can’t be a great leader without first being a great follower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The life of Jesus is our example of what it
looks like to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words of Jesus
are our instructions of what it means to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are
not bigger, stronger, better or more spiritual than Jesus.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me put
it plainly – you can’t influence people toward Jesus if you aren’t first
following Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are not the exception</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus’
mission was to direct people back to the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He kept close, deep connection with God the Father so when people
encountered Jesus, they would be seeing, hearing and experiencing God the
Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our mission is to point people
to Jesus so Jesus can bring them to God the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we aren’t spending time with Jesus by
reading his words and conversing with him in prayer, people will not be seeing,
hearing and experiencing Jesus through us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me make
it even more personal:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you aren’t
spending time with Jesus in reading his words regularly and conversing in
prayer regularly (I suggest having a goal of at least 4 times per week) your
kids are going to have a difficult time experiencing Jesus through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your spouse is going to have a hard time
being spiritually influenced toward Jesus through you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You are not the exception</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Time with
Jesus is not the end, it is the means to being the person God intended us to be
in a world desperate for spiritual leaders influencing people toward Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you are not the exception in how it will
happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-84865251212592162512014-05-15T11:40:00.003-07:002014-05-15T11:40:40.360-07:00Joy Greater Than Mean People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I was
recently touched by a post of one of my Facebook friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kelly was talking about taking the time to do
good to others and how he especially goes out of his way to say “Thank You” to
Veterans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shared about a conversation
he had with a Korean War Veteran and the man was brought to tears through the
encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a story to tell and he
got a chance to tell a small part of it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEN60eVguad5X7sZzuXjKor1MkS_LvEKVvE6GhGDgfC_z3N8KlFORmZp1TcXZWotfQEd67EvtJBbEJPtd_P_RbXOVcu2ooVNYE_Mbx6XbvjF1rDIYJlSqHFZk8hji8aa0FsAoFGU5hlI/s1600/angry2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEN60eVguad5X7sZzuXjKor1MkS_LvEKVvE6GhGDgfC_z3N8KlFORmZp1TcXZWotfQEd67EvtJBbEJPtd_P_RbXOVcu2ooVNYE_Mbx6XbvjF1rDIYJlSqHFZk8hji8aa0FsAoFGU5hlI/s1600/angry2.gif" height="191" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everybody
has a story – and sometimes they want to tell it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But everybody also has a story they don’t
want to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is too filled with
pain, disappointment, shame or regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, we hold it in, hidden – or so we think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hidden until we get mean and then the
story starts to come out, but not in a good way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We all have
known mean people in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, if
we are perfectly honest, we would admit we’ve been the mean one at times,
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we encounter mean people it is
easy to start taking it personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
time I was driving to San Jose, looked to my left and the guy in the pick-up
truck was flipping me off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My immediate
reaction was to get mad and defensive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I honestly had not a clue what I had done to deserve his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was I going 70 mph instead of 75?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it was then it dawned on me that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it</i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wasn’t about me</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What that guy did was about him and what was
going on in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just happened to
be in the vicinity of his anger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4mxADSeoSXtGlTlcJvTfKuGDmI4Ee0rMo-VttVjA-1U3rEGOVozuTfhxznQkNE307HYypiKJ7PPMP6BLNU1EQp2eTgXQ8FCGcz6dUBIx0uGxMGMjiEOIP5DbWGlS-_H17mDf-KW9zFc/s1600/pig+wrestling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4mxADSeoSXtGlTlcJvTfKuGDmI4Ee0rMo-VttVjA-1U3rEGOVozuTfhxznQkNE307HYypiKJ7PPMP6BLNU1EQp2eTgXQ8FCGcz6dUBIx0uGxMGMjiEOIP5DbWGlS-_H17mDf-KW9zFc/s1600/pig+wrestling.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mean people
steal joy because they drag us into their mud hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, if you wrestle with pigs, you’re going
to smell bad and get dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no
way around it.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But there
is a way out of it that will keep our clothes clean and our heart intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way is to see others with the eyes of
Jesus and have compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admittedly,
this is not an easy thing to do when someone may be screaming obscenities at
you but we have to start by remembering, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s
not about me</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mean people encounters
are opportunities to trust more deeply in Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the chance to pray for someone else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mean people
encounters are a reminder there is a story that hasn’t been told in that
person’s life that is showing up in destructive ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the next time you have one of these
encounters, take a deep breath, tell yourself “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">it’s not about me</i>”, pray for them and if you have the chance, do
something nice for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they
will begin to see Jesus and his story will intersect their story so a new story
can begin to be told.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>But
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,</i>” ~
Jesus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Matthew 5:44, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-79504748329212284022014-05-08T10:18:00.001-07:002014-05-08T10:18:16.988-07:00Joy Greater Than Broken Families and Lives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No Perfect
People.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Brilliant!”, I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These were
the words that formed the tag line of a church I saw somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember the church’s name but I
definitely remember what they stood for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were speaking directly against the perception that people who go to
church are “the perfect people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church
People have perfect lives, perfect families, perfect children, perfect jobs,
perfect friends, perfect marriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
church knew many, many people wouldn’t ever darken the doors of a church
because they just don’t feel like they measure up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They aren’t perfect enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A saying of
Cold Springs Church written on our worship center wall is a little more wordy –
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Free to be who we are, being transformed
into all God wants us to be”</i> – but seeks to communicate a similar
sentiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are messy, broken people
(whether we care to admit it or not) and it is Jesus’ business to restore and
strengthen our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We not only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">shouldn’t</i> act perfect when we come to
church, we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can’t</i> be perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are perfect, you have no need for
grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perfect people don’t need
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47JLSGEXpEaltHRPhsrTBBgXaXe0NsVe2J4oS7kzziBHx94AiRRUtEks_nbde2voDSKnwJ8IyCQjz4hrUp-t6QW2QE3_EDwn3OuRqTMo3sba5mLhjGeozpj8frAUMa8nKr-uec-Vso8E/s1600/No+Perfect+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47JLSGEXpEaltHRPhsrTBBgXaXe0NsVe2J4oS7kzziBHx94AiRRUtEks_nbde2voDSKnwJ8IyCQjz4hrUp-t6QW2QE3_EDwn3OuRqTMo3sba5mLhjGeozpj8frAUMa8nKr-uec-Vso8E/s1600/No+Perfect+People.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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We strive to be a place of grace
where all of us can encounter the God of grace. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the only one who has the power to take what
is broken and bring about beauty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Where are you not perfect in your
life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are you sensing loss,
brokenness and need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are you
comparing yourself to others and feeling like you don’t measure up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your need is the opportunity for God’s
grace.</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is
God’s story - entering into the story of our lives with all it is and all it
isn’t and bringing redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So today,
when you recognized a piece of your brokenness see it as the invitation it was
meant to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t run from it, don’t
hide from it, don’t put on the “Perfect Church People Mask.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead invite Jesus in to begin doing his
work of restoration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of hiding,
tell a friend about your need so Jesus can do what he does best, show his
mercy, grace and love through others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As you look
around today, know there are no perfect people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are just people like you in need of the grace of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be that grace to each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-34339779868059669812014-04-10T11:42:00.004-07:002014-04-10T11:42:34.863-07:00A Reasonable Faith? A Faith Discovered Through Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you
ever thought about your life as being an intricately woven tapestry? The longer we live, the more experiences we
have, the more people we encounter and each of those experiences and
relationships are a colored thread woven together making up the story of our
life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qvMDHYet-wOfc6Z4WuRB2XcfgRBahFH1LUq0LKlob5m7-9-_jb-pLHSptpJ6ayITNRI5pAPd-zAiarQGmfoMmuxbWnhTecoa-jE0tlNdmkQwoxPx-99sUMuvZ5bnKlh3NeoCGZ0u8CE/s1600/IMG_2134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qvMDHYet-wOfc6Z4WuRB2XcfgRBahFH1LUq0LKlob5m7-9-_jb-pLHSptpJ6ayITNRI5pAPd-zAiarQGmfoMmuxbWnhTecoa-jE0tlNdmkQwoxPx-99sUMuvZ5bnKlh3NeoCGZ0u8CE/s1600/IMG_2134.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a> I recently
read the story of a father and son who were out snowmobiling in the Sierra
mountains. Dad wrecked his snowmobile
into a tree and badly broke his femur.
His son had to leave his Dad, drive numerous miles to get help and then
lead the rescue party back to his Dad.
When I read the story all I could think about was what a defining moment
for that young boy. There is an
experience and story that will never be forgotten! There is a significant thread in his life
that will shape his future.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Think about
your life. What are the major threads –
the experiences and relationships – that have been woven together to make your
story? Who are the important people that
are the threads holding everything together?
What are the colors of the threads?
The dark threads represent the hard things and painful
relationships. The bright threads
represent the joys of life. Each is
necessary to weave the picture God is making.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Apostle
John tells us there is another weaving taking place in our lives. It is a weaving of divine love for you and
your response to that love. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
“<i>Whoever has my
commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be
loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.</i>” (John 14:21)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
One of the threads is you.
You become part of the weave has you pay attention to the commands of
God and follow them. This is how you
weave your life to the life of Christ.
Another thread is God the Father.
His thread is woven into our thread when we love what he loves –
Jesus. The final thread is Jesus. He weaves his thread back into our lives as
we love him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAuuOdPBYZTeI8FrdY-5kD6znoGrJxn8NrEl6KmBCyx0iD_hCzR6kjd-6bLEj1OxO9g7IiD7eizlLnRFXqM63BLu1K8d0ahcVHj-2yrTrH8DSsV49WV_YmUjYwt_k_I7mfNoYSDEYL0k/s1600/IMG_2134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAuuOdPBYZTeI8FrdY-5kD6znoGrJxn8NrEl6KmBCyx0iD_hCzR6kjd-6bLEj1OxO9g7IiD7eizlLnRFXqM63BLu1K8d0ahcVHj-2yrTrH8DSsV49WV_YmUjYwt_k_I7mfNoYSDEYL0k/s1600/IMG_2134.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God will not force himself into any tapestry. Jesus will not force his thread to be woven
with ours. He stands waiting, willing,
longing to be woven into our lives but he must be invited. That is the first act of faith, to simply say
“Yes” to Jesus’ thread. As we keep his
commandments we show the evidence of our love for Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Where is Jesus waiting to be invited into your
tapestry? Is there a fear you are
facing? A stronghold you seek to
overcome? Are there wonderful things
taking place in your life? Jesus wants
to be woven in. He only waits for your
invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace
and grace, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A
Prayer of Invitation: <i>Dear Jesus, I invite you to be part of all
that is happening in my life. I pray
your thread and the Father’s thread of divine love will be woven into all I do,
all I am. I don’t always understand this
but open my eyes to see you and the Father’s love in my life. Amen<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-29899737964577163942014-04-03T10:04:00.003-07:002014-04-03T10:04:35.782-07:00A Reasonable Faith? A Faith Shaped By Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> Over the
past eight weeks I have been trying to help us wrestle with some of the
challenging and pressing questions that people have about the Christian
faith. Increasing numbers of people in
our world are questioning whether following Jesus is a reasonable thing. We’ve looked at questions of science and
faith, understanding the Bible, how the Christian faith is different than other
faiths, the problem of hell and the problem of evil. In all of these things I have sought to show
that, although there may still be mystery with some things, the Christian faith
<i>makes sense</i>. I have challenged us to consider believing in
Jesus and following Jesus does not require us to check our intellect at the
door and unthinkingly plunge into belief.
I have argued that indeed, Christianity <b><i>is</i></b> a reasonable
faith. <b><i>Until now</i></b>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is
one, distinct, foundational belief of Christianity that sets it apart from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i></b>
other faith system, religion and life philosophy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is found only in Christianity and it can’t
be defended as reasonable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When you
look at the definition of “reasonable” in a dictionary it says things like “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fair and sensible; based on good sense; able
to think, understand, or form judgments by a logical process</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is central to Christianity that is
unreasonable – not guided or based on good sense, beyond the limits of
acceptability – you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>It is grace</u></b>.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here are
some ways to try and understand grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace is receiving unmerited favor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grace is receiving kindness when you are a complete, total jerk, idiot,
nincompoop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is kindness on your worst
hair day, bad attitude day, fit-throwing day, rebellion day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace does not make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace is not fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace is not logical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace is acceptability in the face of
unacceptability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbeQcfE6p4zEITj1irX78sUEzr64WHaTH4SpdXTr8Z11d07Tz1KicghV0Wjsex6IJJg04dkXspXQzFjTF1OUjFA5Dsbi7hqYB_3UwoX7gzQFTVGPTibBVhiL7kz4V5X0-Lk6HHI2jUTY/s1600/kindness+-+track+star+helping.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbeQcfE6p4zEITj1irX78sUEzr64WHaTH4SpdXTr8Z11d07Tz1KicghV0Wjsex6IJJg04dkXspXQzFjTF1OUjFA5Dsbi7hqYB_3UwoX7gzQFTVGPTibBVhiL7kz4V5X0-Lk6HHI2jUTY/s1600/kindness+-+track+star+helping.jpeg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Grace just
isn’t reasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are running
from God, ignoring God or rebelling against God you don’t believe you need
grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what, you reason that
you’re not really that bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
you’re really not that bad there really is no need for grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some level you believe you are “good
enough.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace is unreasonable to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you are
following Jesus and growing in a heart that is sensitive to the convictions and
leadings of the Holy Spirit you become regularly amazed God would be gracious
toward you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you understand the depth
of your sinfulness from which Jesus saved you, a sense of unworthiness can wash
over you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are not worthless –
otherwise Christ would not have died for you – but you are unworthy of the love,
mercy and grace poured out upon you that has brought salvation, healing, hope
and blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me</i>”
wrote John Newton as his heart grappled with God’s undeserved kindness toward
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace is unreasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace does not make sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you are
looking for a completely rational, reasonable faith then you must reject
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he offers you does not make
sense because you don’t deserve his unfailing love, his complete forgiveness,
his amazing blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is
exactly the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t deserve
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t do anything to deserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is unmerited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
un-earnable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It is unreasonable</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc1QqNdBXNctq9CtTSQ6TEHwfHMGe79hmSazI6wozlxf-rYD_dxCniBhoeOp71HQGi6GsQrxqap-fmLNyzXybWAkhB79J7zgaIGpdKhxchLJFKbBIRT65zT8xcsfdmZv_-DUjNVKRoPM/s1600/Favor+Grace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmc1QqNdBXNctq9CtTSQ6TEHwfHMGe79hmSazI6wozlxf-rYD_dxCniBhoeOp71HQGi6GsQrxqap-fmLNyzXybWAkhB79J7zgaIGpdKhxchLJFKbBIRT65zT8xcsfdmZv_-DUjNVKRoPM/s1600/Favor+Grace.jpg" height="107" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You are
either in God’s grace through Jesus or you are not in God’s grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying “Yes” to Jesus is the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you said yes to unreasonableness yet?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grace and peace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>But—“When
God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the
righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our
sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously
poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace
he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal
life.”</i>” (Titus 3:4–7, NLT) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-12143287565146592602014-03-27T11:25:00.000-07:002014-03-27T11:25:15.285-07:00Keeping Faith In The Face of Evil - Living With Scars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you look
closely at my right hand on the knuckles you will notice a significant L-shaped
scar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story I love to tell about how
I got this scar is it came about when I got into a fight in a bar one
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was before I was a follower
of Jesus and my usual ending to the story is “And you should have seen the
other guy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, when I tell this
story it gets all kinds of wide-eyed looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Until I confess it is a total fabrication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The real story is much less…sensational.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I was
young I had 26 warts and a bunch of them were on the back of my right
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was before doctors understood
that this indeed was one of those times where the best advice was to “rub some
dirt on it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, at the least put some
duct tape on it and they would go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, one day I had the warts on my hand cut off and then burnt to
cauterize them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I can still smell that
smell!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad said I was very brave –
didn’t cry at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the warts
just disappeared after that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The result
of the treatment was a scar that still helps me remember which hand is my right
one and gives me opportunity to tell a pretty good sensational lie about how it
got there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the real story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxthDa2nUQPshejcVvonUUqwqIf4N8YM4DStkXycmXYuf0bkRxBWEU5a3iggZZ8c5LxXdqkRQDRBQJBHGCVA7PaHXyYxWN9022xH9y_f0FqnCJIT3PU9GdJ0qPsidCm0sbu1UNYuTc41s/s1600/scars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxthDa2nUQPshejcVvonUUqwqIf4N8YM4DStkXycmXYuf0bkRxBWEU5a3iggZZ8c5LxXdqkRQDRBQJBHGCVA7PaHXyYxWN9022xH9y_f0FqnCJIT3PU9GdJ0qPsidCm0sbu1UNYuTc41s/s1600/scars.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Scars make
for good stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone has a scar
story they love to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scar is a
reminder you were injured and proof you survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t go away – just a constant reminder
that something went sideways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are
many scars we have that people can’t see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are the scars on our heart and soul, wounds as real and deep as the
tearing of our flesh that left the external scar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t go away either – a constant
reminder you were injured and you are still alive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In John
20:24-29 there is a curious story about Jesus proving who he is to Thomas by
showing him the scars in his hands, feet and side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thomas was convinced when he saw the scars of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing I find curious is the
resurrected body of Jesus that had been healed of death and the brutality of
his suffering still had these scars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
scars defined Jesus and identified Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems like they are with him for eternity yet they don’t make him
imperfect – they seem to add to his perfection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GbXey_fCZD3cpod-_n4q4T1ujIHfM2CGmnKSnVZHbuvgHnczVoSOXoM7mzZq7LcPuWYgH7s1xF-CWPeM2dDsZM5BFCBkJujJCo0XqcEcWia9pAVECGwCwhVr-yy0i07La1xbQA9TNuQ/s1600/+scar+hands1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GbXey_fCZD3cpod-_n4q4T1ujIHfM2CGmnKSnVZHbuvgHnczVoSOXoM7mzZq7LcPuWYgH7s1xF-CWPeM2dDsZM5BFCBkJujJCo0XqcEcWia9pAVECGwCwhVr-yy0i07La1xbQA9TNuQ/s1600/+scar+hands1.jpg" height="200" width="164" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I recently
reflected on some of my soul scars as I walked with people I love and care
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all had something to do with
death – death of a dream or the physical death of a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, the two deaths were connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What had been hoped for down here was taken
when they passed from this life to the next.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The stories
that go with these scars are rarely shared and usually only with those we are
most intimate with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are too deep,
too painful these stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
sacred and precious, not to be wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like
the scars of Jesus, we are shaped and identified by these scars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus wants us to be defined by his scars
not ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scars of Jesus are the
promise of ultimate healing, ultimate restoration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scars of Jesus tell us death does not
win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus wins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let Jesus redeem your scars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the greatest story that can be told.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>Then,
when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,
this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death,
where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that
results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us
victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers
and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the
Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.</i>” (1
Corinthians 15:54–58, NLT) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-31413512909270820352014-03-19T17:03:00.001-07:002014-03-19T17:03:17.622-07:00Have You Forgiven God? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life
doesn’t turn out the way we planned, that’s a fact. And somebody needs to be held responsible. A lot of people put it at the feet of
God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
It is easy to do when things
outside of our control impact our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Natural disasters (the insurance industry used to call them “Acts of
God”), illness, disease, and crime can all be attributed to God’s direct
responsibility or his negligence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either
way, God’s the one who we hold accountable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The bad, stupid or wrong things we
do are a little harder to pin on God but we find a way to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God should have intervened, he should have
stopped us, he should have sent someone to direct us otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God should have…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s God’s fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since God is responsible for the misery of
the world and the misery of our lives, it is appropriate to ask, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have you forgiven God?</b>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAqSu4xHTBisuLHpsRRp8-4l6PlZFpLlGPy-ADf7kgHLHBI2YY2FayZ64tYAgsHneD7cyiykXnd7XxzzcUfQ95QO_ZXAZ_5GAeobfug46_WVWJRZbDz6ZkEDOxUoezYhrhkWjh_npoZg/s1600/forgive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAqSu4xHTBisuLHpsRRp8-4l6PlZFpLlGPy-ADf7kgHLHBI2YY2FayZ64tYAgsHneD7cyiykXnd7XxzzcUfQ95QO_ZXAZ_5GAeobfug46_WVWJRZbDz6ZkEDOxUoezYhrhkWjh_npoZg/s1600/forgive.jpg" height="213" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
A number of years ago Gene Edwards
wrote a small book about John the Baptist called “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Prisoner In The Third Cell.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The big idea of the book has stuck with me like few have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edwards makes the point that John did
everything right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He served Jesus
faithfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spoke boldly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was humble and faithfully pointed people
to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they chopped his head
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He is not the God of your expectations.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Edwards point.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Nothing reminds us of this truth
more than when life goes sideways on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The pain is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
disappointment, anger and frustration are overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anger is consuming because God did not
meet our expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore God is
responsible and we need to forgive God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unless… our expectations are wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Where did you get your expectations
about what God is and isn’t supposed to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How have your expectations of how life is supposed to work come
about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are holding God responsible
for any and every bad thing that ever happens in the world and your life you
surely didn’t get your expectations from the Bible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>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.”</i> ~Jesus~ (John 16:33)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God is not seeking our forgiveness
but he is longing for our confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confessing to God we are hurting, disappointed, frustrated, lonely, sad
and depressed is to yield to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confession is accepting the truth that God is God and you are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is putting things back in right
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is, according to Jesus, the
path to peace even in the midst of tribulation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ESABl3kh4KSHSzb3u9vNZdST6USvQDYqaZ7UIWpKT3O0e84p4FThwpxlZdOaWVXz_pexX676qnerrA791S8OVNKfbPoFQJmAXH3zx1vgO-0sgWIlC_amPkrjknL98qalRbtLeW6QXsk/s1600/confession.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ESABl3kh4KSHSzb3u9vNZdST6USvQDYqaZ7UIWpKT3O0e84p4FThwpxlZdOaWVXz_pexX676qnerrA791S8OVNKfbPoFQJmAXH3zx1vgO-0sgWIlC_amPkrjknL98qalRbtLeW6QXsk/s1600/confession.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
God is all-powerful, all-good,
all-knowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t need to repent
to you or me about anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But because
he is all-powerful and all-good he reaches down into our pain with a hand of
compassion and whispers gently in our ear, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m
so sorry you are in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me hold
you until we get home.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
He is not the God of your expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is a good thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-59167934628264713522014-03-06T10:10:00.000-08:002014-03-06T10:10:01.611-08:00A Reasonable Faith - All Paths Lead To God, Right?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>More than
ever we live in a sound-bite world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you are going to compose a Twitter message (a “tweet”), you only have 140
characters to get your point across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you are going to do a Vine video, you have six seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snapchat can share pictures with others for
just a few seconds and then be erased forever (unless your friend takes a
screenshot before it disappears – beware!). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What would
Jesus tweet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, if we want to create
another best selling religious kitschy product – <b>WWJT</b>?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How about
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and
whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is 138 characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little harsh – did Jesus really say that? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That just seems so, well, narrow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Yes, he did say that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See Matthew 10:37)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jURK9-TO2FJpz_kkkyWisoDvjyp9MYs0FS-jL5uwV4vnZY4TFx25M-EX-wCUnfLyRK8Zz-eRwiks1UN4lrGyPrmhoJK6AQfDeiqw89fe3o5RA0qmpF2mCeZAaNd00xHOsekxBs4Naug/s1600/Snapchat+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jURK9-TO2FJpz_kkkyWisoDvjyp9MYs0FS-jL5uwV4vnZY4TFx25M-EX-wCUnfLyRK8Zz-eRwiks1UN4lrGyPrmhoJK6AQfDeiqw89fe3o5RA0qmpF2mCeZAaNd00xHOsekxBs4Naug/s1600/Snapchat+logo.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>OK, then
how about this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Com 2 me all who labr & r hvy ladn & I will giv u rest. Take my
yke on u & lrn frm me 4 I am gntle & lwly in hrt & u will find rest
for yur souls.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>That is a tough one
to tweet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I went 6 over my
limit of 140 characters even after doing a whole bunch of editing of words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus needs to be more to the point don’t you
think?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even get the best part
in:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(See Matthew 11:28-30).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Is there <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">anything</i></b>
Jesus said that is a great tweet, clear, concise, to the point?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s one of his best – and it is only 88
characters long:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am the way, and the truth and the life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one comes to the Father except through me.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, that is short, to the point, clear,
concise – and exclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(It comes from
John 14:6.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here is a
dirty little secret – all religious beliefs and worldviews are exclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all make claims that they say are true
and the truth, challenging us to accept or reject them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, even the atheistic worldview and a
“tolerance” worldview is exclusive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
statement like “All truth is relative” is an exclusive belief and is really saying,
“All truth is relative – except my one statement that all truth is relative –
that is an absolute truth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huh?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAy48sbeXQjv91c9OCZlTptrX6tASGRH92cJ5GhHh5HTS7LICvnlvshWrfkMmpOjer7NecD5WJyhQhp3X-N0W_FNO5DK1qsprAmS_nQmoyWrVdPi82pPZRuyP7L4wXKgbpltR47h8lPw/s1600/Vine+logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAy48sbeXQjv91c9OCZlTptrX6tASGRH92cJ5GhHh5HTS7LICvnlvshWrfkMmpOjer7NecD5WJyhQhp3X-N0W_FNO5DK1qsprAmS_nQmoyWrVdPi82pPZRuyP7L4wXKgbpltR47h8lPw/s1600/Vine+logo.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When you <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i></b>
look at what Jesus said, you will come to the conclusion that Jesus calls for a
decision to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His love is made
available to all but it requires a choice to receive it or reject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For
God so loved the world that he gave his son…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></i>We like those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
great tweet with 47 characters left over!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the words don’t end there, the message is incomplete to stop
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal
life.” (</i>You'll find this in John 3:16.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Do all
paths lead to God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when you get to God, what is he going to
say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historic, orthodox Christian
faith believes God will say, “What did you do with my son, Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you believe in him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you receive him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And here is
God’s tweet – it is <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>195 characters but
that’s OK because he’s God, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“But to all who did
receive [Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children
of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, how
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Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is going to ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-6241223379599079052014-03-04T08:42:00.001-08:002014-03-04T08:42:07.787-08:00A Prayer for the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Each month I get to open the Board of Supervisors meeting in prayer. Here is my prayer for March 4th, 2014.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Dear Heavenly Father,</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for the clouds you have brought our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for the promise they hold of rain
and snow that will replenish the land, lakes, rivers and streams of our
county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray you would continue to bless
us with the clouds. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray they would
continue to pour out rain and snow so our farmers, vintners, ranchers, river
companies, ski resorts and all the other businesses that depend upon water
would be blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for the
reminder through the clouds of just how little we control in life and are in
need of grace each day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thank you
for the great place we get to live in El Dorado county, help us never forget
just how blessed we are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for
the men and women in this room and throughout the county who are committed to
preserving and strengthening the best things in this county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let there be wisdom, insight and kindness in
everything they do today as they care for the people of El Dorado County, not
just the land and its resources.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As young
men and women leave this county to be equipped to defend our country we pray
you would go with them to protect them and strengthen them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be with their families to comfort them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As other young men and women return from
serving us by serving our country we pray for peace and healing upon them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be with
those who serve us each and every day in law enforcement, emergency services
and medical services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Protect their
hearts, minds and bodies in an increasingly dangerous and ugly world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help them to stand for justice and walk in
integrity, to protect the weak and vulnerable, to stand against evil wherever
it may be found.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thank you
for your continued blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please
continue to pour out your provision and blessings upon us so we can be a
blessing to others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I pray these things in the name of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-78346252109715323052014-02-27T09:58:00.000-08:002014-02-27T16:32:41.881-08:00A Reasonable Faith? - What Makes The Bible Different?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p> I grew up
around horses. For a few years as a kid
I did 4H and competed in horse shows.
The path was set for me by my two older sisters who were <i>really</i> into horses. Rodeo queens, champion horse showwomen and
all that. Frankly, I think the reason I
did it was the guy-girl ratio of those at horse shoes was weighted very heavily
on the girl side!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnMgOcOdQyURVxBhQq4gBGddsMTa6B8Kr1CC9-I2AVJc6LoZgOqMX1p6bWYnxdecqKXYR5P-MjZBE0lT6CJx3WUamOfK2zAopJIOzrowZT_emCE-LJlAQBcCReSSnuRjDf9nja365v68/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnMgOcOdQyURVxBhQq4gBGddsMTa6B8Kr1CC9-I2AVJc6LoZgOqMX1p6bWYnxdecqKXYR5P-MjZBE0lT6CJx3WUamOfK2zAopJIOzrowZT_emCE-LJlAQBcCReSSnuRjDf9nja365v68/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep - that's me on the right. Stupid horses!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I pretty
much gave up on horses after I discovered motorcycles (they go faster, have softer
seats and are easier to clean up after).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But my sister Suzie stayed with the horses, training them and continues
to be a champion dressage rider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all
of this childhood experience of horse riding, there was a constant and that was
the horse shoer (the fancy name is farrier).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And one of the most impressive things about the farrier was his massive
anvil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like people’s feet, each horse’s
hoof has a unique shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the job of
the farrier was to shape the steel horseshoe to the shape of the hoof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever had the chance to watch one
at work, they are a bit of an artist with a keen eye for detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have to get it right because if they
don’t it will affect the horse and believe me, you really don’t want to tick
off a horse owner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just isn’t pretty.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you were
to get an up close look at the anvil, you would see it may have some nicks in
it but, with all the beating it takes, the shape is unchanged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horseshoe is changed when it comes into
contact with the anvil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time, the hammer
that beats on the horseshoe and the anvil is changed as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything wears out – except the anvil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The anvil shapes everything it comes into
contact with yet does not change its shape.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zkNIfNR2fLok4eHXTbQhOLVYv8PWKOAHkGnMPb88KWnE6MrTN4Bco-n6s-5Ye5U53otGqg3dZYht1X5T0hAPrjRjLrTYue3ALNQ4t2HLK-sGAhSuMeiJ48EU0xDlZPvRphjzDZ_8tJQ/s1600/anvil+and+hammer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zkNIfNR2fLok4eHXTbQhOLVYv8PWKOAHkGnMPb88KWnE6MrTN4Bco-n6s-5Ye5U53otGqg3dZYht1X5T0hAPrjRjLrTYue3ALNQ4t2HLK-sGAhSuMeiJ48EU0xDlZPvRphjzDZ_8tJQ/s1600/anvil+and+hammer.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bible
has always had its critics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet it
continues to endure, shaping the cultures and lives that come in contact with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In it we come to discover the
unchanging character of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orthodox
Christianity holds it in high regard, seeing it in the same way the psalmist
did:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your
righteous rules endures forever.</i>” (Psalm 119:160, ESV) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A follower
of Jesus doesn’t worship the Bible – she worships the God the Bible reveals to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, there is confidence that
what is contained in the pages is the very truth of God, his “special
revelation” to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is the belief
that through the 1600 years it was written, by the over forty authors and three
languages, God was in the details guiding the process and preserving his truth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have you
read the Bible lately?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On March 5<sup>th</sup>
Cold Springs Church is going to be engaging in a community Bible reading
through the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It follows
the season of Lent, which is the 40 days of preparation leading up to Easter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you join us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be able to find the readings on our
Facebook page and on our website (coldspringschurch.net).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beat on it
all you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you do, you will
discover its profound ability to shape you while it remains unchanging.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-36983102857579504342014-02-13T16:03:00.001-08:002014-02-13T16:03:30.218-08:00Science and faith are incompatible, right?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you were
paying attention to the news headlines at all the past two weeks you were aware
of the debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”). Ken Ham is the founder of Answers In Genesis
(AIG), a Christian ministry that produces resources to support and defend a
young-earth view of creation. AIG holds
the position that the earth is only 10,000 years old and we come to that
conclusion by reading the Bible literally – particularly the first three
chapters of Genesis. Bill Nye is an
engineer who has had popular TV shows where he explains science in
understandable and entertaining ways. He
argued for a naturalistic view of origins.
He believes the universe is billions of years old and what we see today
in plant and animal life is a result of evolutionary processes. There is no God so he obviously wasn’t
involved in anything. Both are smart
people. And they are at polar opposites
when it comes to explaining and understanding the origins and formation of the
universe and everything it contains. And
there you have it – what you have had a sneaking suspicion of all along -
science and faith are incompatible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_fy2XyILE2Ytty_VyYen02W7L8MSKq5XvSMDI_Xyn7ar9kprHOzEzmlSQJaDEvywa_dS2tZkpd_rM8K5_J3zpQfVj4p70WvAN7VOW3FitH3pfOz7H-fz5_TdRd7RkalFsnCC1oWdis0/s1600/areasonablefaith2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_fy2XyILE2Ytty_VyYen02W7L8MSKq5XvSMDI_Xyn7ar9kprHOzEzmlSQJaDEvywa_dS2tZkpd_rM8K5_J3zpQfVj4p70WvAN7VOW3FitH3pfOz7H-fz5_TdRd7RkalFsnCC1oWdis0/s1600/areasonablefaith2.jpeg" /></a><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If this is
your belief, whichever side you find yourself on, it has shaped how you view
the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are on the “faith
side” this is the reason we shouldn’t trust science and scientists, you
reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are mostly godless people
who are out to undermine faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
are on the “science side” this is the reason we shouldn’t trust Christians, you
reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are clearly small-minded
people who are blinded by their religious ideology and twist scientific fact to
fit their belief system.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The media
industry loves extremes and they love a good fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 900 tickets to the live performance sold
out in 2 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seventy media
organizations registered to attend the debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Twenty video crews were on hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Articles have been written, talk shows have had a field day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, no doubt, books will be sold making some
people a bit of money.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In all of
this you might have been fooled into believing these are the only two ways of
viewing the Bible, the universe and creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But you would be mistaken.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you are
coming at understanding creation from a Biblical, Christian perspective there
are three non-negotiables:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, God
doesn’t lie, he is completely trustworthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Second, God has given us this compilation of writings that we call the
Bible so we can know God, his story and our story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third, God has given us his creation – the
universe around us – so we might know him and his glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 19:1-14 does a wonderful job of pointing us
toward these things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theologians call
#2 Special Revelation and they call #3 General Revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of God’s revelation is wholly true and
each requires interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
designed it so his Special Revelation (the Bible) helps us interpret his
General Revelation (the universe).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,
his General Revelation helps us interpret his Special Revelation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What does
this mean for faith and science?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
means they are not enemies or incompatible, they are friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And only by treating them as friends are we
able to continue growing in our understanding of who God is and what God has
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the greatest scientists
and greatest theologians we have known in history understood this and it opened
new worlds of knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Truth is
never something we should be afraid of – wherever it comes from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- because truth always helps us to know God
more deeply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And ultimately that is what
life is all about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-76399755147598329042014-02-05T18:28:00.002-08:002014-02-05T18:28:51.723-08:00Why Bother With God?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Researchers
for years have been telling us that church attendance is on the decline. In 2007, 17% of the US population was in a
church on any given Sunday, according to <i>The
American Church Research Project</i>. If
current trends continue, that number will fall to 14.2% in 2020 and just 10.5%
in 2050.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Essentially
what this means is more and more people are seeing the pursuit of God and faith
as irrelevant or, at best, just one more option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People see themselves as spiritual but that
spirituality is a self-created belief system largely shaped and influenced by
popular culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those in their teens,
twenties and thirties are abandoning the church in droves. They often times are
seeing it as hypocritical, hate-filled, intolerant, irrelevant and
unreasonable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, unfortunately, they
can easily find ammunition for their shotgun generalizations because there are
plenty of people who call themselves people of faith who are hypocritical,
hate-filled, intolerant, irrelevant and unreasonable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Maybe you
are reading this and your internal “Amen” meter is off the scale right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would say, “Yeah, this is
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christianity and the church just
don’t matter much in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
aren’t asking the right questions and their answers don’t make sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m out!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is
also another problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t just with
those who claim to be God’s people being hypocrites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people have a problem with God as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frankly, God has been rather
disappointing to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The God they
think they see in the Bible is sort of mean in their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God also is really bad at living up to our
expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How our marriages turn
out, our kids turn out, our jobs turn out and our friendships turn out are
regularly laid at the feet of God to blame him when something goes wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(But I’ve noticed he never gets credit when
they are going right!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then don’t
even get people started on the evil in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a natural disaster strikes, God is to
blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a mentally unstable person
grabs a gun, knife, baseball bat or some other weapon and wreaks havoc God is
held responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What kind of God
would let <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> happen?!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub1dX0pJS0rrw8asLipZkBZMzPG7ifbpiIM2OcyabBIat40B0uYj2cx6I11FerwlIBDE2XXCQooICDzoti2lWannMR3azPzT4g7Lzzgi658NpdRMbrUfFEAaqV3NlaAdidg0bFs0oQxg/s1600/areasonablefaith2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgub1dX0pJS0rrw8asLipZkBZMzPG7ifbpiIM2OcyabBIat40B0uYj2cx6I11FerwlIBDE2XXCQooICDzoti2lWannMR3azPzT4g7Lzzgi658NpdRMbrUfFEAaqV3NlaAdidg0bFs0oQxg/s1600/areasonablefaith2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Don’t get
me wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think these questions
are illegitimate or unfair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they
are very, very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all
represent turning points in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are turning points of deeper pursuit of God or turning away from
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is totally our choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I believe
God is worth pursuing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe what I
can see in the world around me points to something greater, something purer,
something that cares for creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
the truth and beauty found in cellular biology to the overwhelming complexity
and majesty of astrophysics and everything in between, there is a cosmic shout
of “I am here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I care! I can be found!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If, in the
past, at your turning point you chose to walk away, I hope you will reconsider
and take the risk to look for God once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve heard he rewards those who seek him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Please join
me on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings for our series of talks, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A
Reasonable Faith?”</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going
to wrestle with the tough questions head-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You might be surprised in what you find. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because you’re worth it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and Grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
PS - You can also download these talks from our website at www.coldspringschurch.net.</div>
</div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-39156888329288749432014-01-16T06:58:00.000-08:002014-01-16T06:58:27.010-08:00The Real Jesus - It Will Cost You<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I looked for a motorcycle today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have my mind set on the BMW GS model
bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is their dual-sport model
which means you can take it off road and do some great exploring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The GS is all about how dirty you can get it, not how shiny you can keep it! </span>I like the idea of having a motorcycle
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve had a number of them and
they have been a totally selfish thing for me to have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, but are they fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it feels so great to zip around mountain
roads feeling the world around you and taking in the subtle smells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever done the motorcycle thing,
you know exactly what I’m talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Motorcycles are like emotional candy to me – so good and so fun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHedpqtB_Flh4eM3XlMks5Dj4y9eigntsLWt2kVmEH_JjOc-Ap5iNBqfI4WEcuf56CalenMvatA8C7HMuDoivJ0KHR53WIObfFwP7WZWPqzC-XNqbE1_kmywxyueaMLv5ujZzPRANlN7k/s1600/BMW+R1150GS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHedpqtB_Flh4eM3XlMks5Dj4y9eigntsLWt2kVmEH_JjOc-Ap5iNBqfI4WEcuf56CalenMvatA8C7HMuDoivJ0KHR53WIObfFwP7WZWPqzC-XNqbE1_kmywxyueaMLv5ujZzPRANlN7k/s1600/BMW+R1150GS.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I like the
idea of having a motorcycle but I’m not going to get one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have the money to buy the one I would
want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s nothing like a little
sticker shock to bring reality back in the picture!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything we want in life has a cost
associated with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether we get it or
not all depends upon whether we are willing to pay the price.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We make
these decisions about what we are willing to pay every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes these decisions keep us out of
trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are tempted to speed, we
calculate if we are willing to pay the cost of a ticket, and we slow down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We calculate how much it is going to cost to
love our spouse or our kids and make a decision about whether we are going to
pay the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything has a
cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you willing to pay?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
understands this very, very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
story of faith the Bible tells says, because of sin, we are held captive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in prison, “…having no hope and
without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not a pretty picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The desire
is for freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Freedom comes at a price
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible’s story says the price
of freedom is death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Jesus said he
would pay that price, came to earth, died on a cross and was resurrected to
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he</i></b> could be set free, but
so <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we</i></b>
could be set free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a cost!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he says to us, “Come, follow
me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPw1k5tPJ5PoBR98PxISTwz2NuW7prDL9mZkICLpWn3FE4qCy2PlHz2rotNA9QRhFqr6JCeAbWRitpMG_JKZ8Ws3q7MVyKnYLIvziOTLPwHVMsZ3ziI6n3r5JvOF7JpekJYWjQvEcOc/s1600/Palestinian-prisoners-in-an-Israeli-jail-Photo-Tal-Cohen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWPw1k5tPJ5PoBR98PxISTwz2NuW7prDL9mZkICLpWn3FE4qCy2PlHz2rotNA9QRhFqr6JCeAbWRitpMG_JKZ8Ws3q7MVyKnYLIvziOTLPwHVMsZ3ziI6n3r5JvOF7JpekJYWjQvEcOc/s1600/Palestinian-prisoners-in-an-Israeli-jail-Photo-Tal-Cohen.png" height="135" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Tal Cohen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A lot of
people like the idea of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We like
the idea of being free, no longer captive in our sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then we look at the cost and walk
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus said the cost of following
Jesus is to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">believe</i></b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">receive</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s so costly about that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is
something within us that knows to believe and receive Jesus means to die to
ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To receive Jesus means we
have to make room for him so something has to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To believe means we have to make room for how
Jesus defines life, love, death and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To believe in Jesus means other beliefs have to go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Everything
has a cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you willing to
pay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus says, “Come, follow me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you willing to pay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will cost <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grace and Peace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“<i>I tell you the truth, unless
a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its
death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who
love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their
life in this world will keep it for eternity.</i>” (John 12:24–25, NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-85034726698403295782013-12-23T13:18:00.003-08:002013-12-23T13:18:54.835-08:00The One Thing <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What’s your
“One Thing” that is most important for you to accomplish in the coming
year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have something,
everybody around you certainly does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
beauty of life is we get to make a lot of choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And those choices we make will shape our
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t always get our choices
right but if we make enough in the right direction, good things begin to
happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Back to the
“One Thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can you do in the
coming year that will have the potential for the greatest positive impact on
your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me make a suggestion –
something you may not have thought of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if you started reading your Bible consistently, regularly,
faithfully?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Studies
have been done over and over finding that one of the most important disciplines
we can engage in is consistently reading the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one discipline is often the
determination between a stagnant, dying faith and a growing, vibrant faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need the other spiritual practices of
community, prayer, generosity and service as well for a deepening life with
Jesus but reading the scriptures feeds these other disciplines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never before has the Bible been more
available and more accessible than this time in history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is available in most languages, it is
instantly downloadable to your iPhone, iPad, Android or Kindle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, oh yeah, it is even available on paper!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here is my
wish for you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2014 would be the year you
would discover the beauty, depth, wonder and mystery of God through his Word.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On my “One
Thing” list is to be more connected to God’s Word and I want to invite you to
join me by reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with me</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Modern technology makes it so simple and
accessible.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Here’s my invitation to you – join
me in reading the Bible together this year through the Faithlife Study
Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a free app for iPhone,
iPad, Android and Kindle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, you can
get it on your computer for free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
To find the apps for your
smartphone or portable reader and to sign up on your computer, go to this
link:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://faithlifebible.com/">https://faithlifebible.com</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to sign up for an account
(really, it’s free!) and then you will need to join the “Cold Springs Community
Church” group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you do, you’ll be
connected to the various reading programs we will be doing together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
No matter what your “One Thing” is,
here is the only way it is going to happen for you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to be crystal clear on What, When
and Where.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
What do you want to do/accomplish <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">specifically</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can clearly know if you have succeeded
or failed you have it nailed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
When are you going to do it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">specifically</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Times, days and dates make a difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Where are you going to do it, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">specifically</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may seem a bit strange at first but
think about it and try it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
One of the choices we get to make
is to not make a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then life just
happens to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My prayer is you will
make a choice <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for</i> something and God
will bless you deeply as you pursue him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Grace and Peace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-92039595227349692842013-12-13T11:20:00.000-08:002013-12-13T11:20:11.690-08:00Advent Conspiracy - Give More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Life Group does a sermon-based study at 6AM on Tuesdays
at Mel’s Diner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I call us the
Crazy-Early-Mighty-Men-of-God-Group.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
few weeks back we were discussing the sermon “Conflicted Compassion” and
wrestling with how we give, why we give and the legacy we are leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the study I challenged the guys
to pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s promptings to be compassionate towards
others and we would come back and tell stories of what happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A couple of
weeks ago someone came to our door to sell something – pretty unusual for the
foothills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got talking it came up
that I’m a pastor and the guy began to tell me about his faith journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a heart for the poor, hungry and
broken in the Sacramento area and formed a ministry to provide resources for
those in need and a transitional shelter for families.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBqqnrYKixikb350WNwTdDxphcukZik91ry3RgjRrP0fZCGwcc4poqZVAaXDFlel5GZrtoCptjQW9ovU9RWGBZ2mY0iZmYLAY4AkNujs8VVLgklVqWtMvuu2eSAka_EsD9vd6TQYcXws/s1600/AC_Give_ICON.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBqqnrYKixikb350WNwTdDxphcukZik91ry3RgjRrP0fZCGwcc4poqZVAaXDFlel5GZrtoCptjQW9ovU9RWGBZ2mY0iZmYLAY4AkNujs8VVLgklVqWtMvuu2eSAka_EsD9vd6TQYcXws/s1600/AC_Give_ICON.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the
middle of his story, the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, “Give him the money
in your pocket.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t often carry
cash on me but that morning someone had given me a good amount of money and I
had just stuck it in my pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’m being
told to give it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at the end of
our conversation, I took the money from my pocket, handed it to him and told
him to put it toward his ministry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our
conversation he had mentioned the website and Facebook page of his group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, I went to look them up but couldn’t
find the website and I began to wonder, “Did I just get ripped off?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it was my money, I guess I could go down
that road but the truth is, it wasn’t my money I gave him – it was God’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t responsible for what he did with
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was responsible for listening to
God and obeying God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is a
constant battle for me to remember I ultimately own nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made me the caretaker of a tremendous
amount but it is not mine, it is his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And God can do what he wants with it, when he wants to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Paul’s first letter to the church in
Corinth he says twice “You were bought with a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:20,
7:23)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not my own – I belong to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to be ransomed from the
life of death and destruction I was following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was the recipient of an amazing grace that I can never dream of
repaying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, all I am, all I
have belong to God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There can
be many motivations to give – guilt, a desire to do good, gratitude for what we
have – but the deepest, most enduring motivation to give is because of
grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grace-giving is when we become a
conduit of God’s generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t
about me or my agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about God,
his agenda and the abundance of his resources.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This Advent
season, I hope you will take the risk to be open to grace-giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open yourself up to the whisper of the Holy
Spirit to empty your pockets as a source of blessing to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just obey and allow God to take care of the
results.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-68058753313242996772013-11-26T08:58:00.001-08:002013-11-26T08:58:50.860-08:00Advent Conspiracy – Worship Fully<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worship
requires humility. Humility is something
most of us aren’t very good at.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unfortunately,
when most of us think about worship it is only connected to music that
emotionally moves us, up-raised hands and cherubic expressions on our faces as
we are caught up in the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expressions like, “That was a great time of worship!” are largely a
reflection of how we felt – our emotional response – to the music or the
environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s not necessarily
worship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If emotion
is where we believe worship begins, we are in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emotion can be (and should be!) a response to
worshipping properly but in itself is not worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go back to the humility thing to
understand what worship is really all about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To worship
something is to elevate its value and importance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship many things in life – security,
safety, wealth, success, relationships, careers, family would be just a
few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s the problem, the Bible makes
it very clear the nature of worship is exclusivity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t worship two things at the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To worship something or someone is
to put them at the very top of all other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you worship something, you become its
servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Jesus is talking
about in Luke 16:13 where he says you can’t serve two masters – God and
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worship is exclusive and there is
no one more exclusive than God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, worship
is not about how you feel, it is about what you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To worship God is to put him above all
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To worship God is to put him
first in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To worship God is to
not let anything come before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
worship God is to humble yourself to put God’s will above your own will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most profound act of worship ever
recorded in the Bible is when Jesus bowed in prayer as he faced a certain death
and said to his Heavenly Father, “…not my will, but yours, be done.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 22:42)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mrswriteword.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/worship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://mrswriteword.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/worship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we enter
into Advent it is ultimately an invitation to worship God above any and every
other thing on earth and in heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God
showed his love for us in a profound way by giving the gift of his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, in giving this beautiful gift God once
again showed the world his love, splendor and power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t have to but once again he gave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">another</i> reason why he should be elevated
above every other thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worship God
not because we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel like it</i>, we
worship God because he is worthy to be worshipped.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Worship
purely expressed is when we echo the words of John the Baptist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When John’s disciples came to him worried
about the defections over to Jesus, John didn’t try to elevate himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did exactly the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He humbled himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John 3:30)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those are the words that
show us what worshipping fully looks like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus came
to be King of kings, Lord of lords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
will accept no other position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must
increase and you must decrease.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-16639410382226064162013-11-23T20:11:00.000-08:002013-11-23T20:11:20.044-08:00Conflicted Compassion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was
recently asked by a community leader what I thought about the homeless issue in
our community. My response to her
question was: “It’s complicated.” There are no easy, quick solutions to dealing
with homelessness in our community. But
isn’t this pretty much true of every issue that matters? Of the important things that affect people’s
lives?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cold
Springs Church was the first church to open its doors to the Nomadic Shelter in
our community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That first year Foothills United Methodist Church partnered with us to begin the Nomadic Shelter two
nights per week. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was five years ago
and now a number of churches have come on board to open their doors and offer
to volunteer seven nights per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
the weather turns cold and wet, more people will be using the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, on some nights, there were upwards
to 50 people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thelondonegotist.com/sites/www.thelondonegotist.com/files/images/passage-board-4.img_assist_custom-480x480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thelondonegotist.com/sites/www.thelondonegotist.com/files/images/passage-board-4.img_assist_custom-480x480.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve got to
be honest with you, I don’t struggle so much with homelessness, I struggle with
messiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want people’s lives to be
better by them being better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want
people to be healthy by making choices that will lead them into health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m often times judgmental and lack the grace
I wish I had (and expect people to show me!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And here’s the
real rub – there are people in this world who don’t care about their messiness,
don’t recognize their messiness or are incapable of dealing with their
messiness because of mental issues, addictions or brokenness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want simple solutions to complex problems –
and they don’t exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
So what do we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We look to scripture to guide us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The other morning when I came into
church, those who had spent the night at the shelter were packing up and
preparing to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It included a family
with a couple of small children and I was glad Cold Springs Church opened its
doors to care for this family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Jesus tells a story about wheat and
weeds to make a point about the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(see Matthew 13:24-30)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this
story there is a wheat field but an enemy plants weeds in the middle of the
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weeds and the wheat look
similar in their early stages and as they mature their roots become
intertwined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The servants ask the master
whether they should pull the weeds or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The master says to leave the weeds because if they pull them they will
pull up some good wheat as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also,
there will come a day when everything will be sorted out – the wheat will be
sorted from the weeds and the weeds will be burned up in fire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Here is the moral of the
story:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In life, some people are weeds
and some people are wheat and it can be hard to tell them apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But rest assured, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">someone</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does know the
difference</i> and he will sort it out in the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The homeless shelter has helped a
lot of people over the past five years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think of Dave and Donna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were in the shelter but got help that saw them get married and into a place of
their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dave recently died of a heart
attack – in his own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Cherish who
struggled with life and addictions and found herself in the shelter but got
help and this time it took root and now she is a coordinating volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there are others – messy lives that have
been restored, strengthened and changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Being compassionate is not easy and
often comes with internal conflict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
we need to do the right thing and trust God that he will sort it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And be assured – he will (in his time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do what’s right because it’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trust God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
David<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385285769107893859.post-34138545385892294052013-11-19T12:12:00.002-08:002013-11-19T12:12:35.617-08:00Thursday Night Church Is Coming!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Is going to
church a means or an end? If you take a
stroll through church history you are going to see that it has been seen as
both, depending upon the time in history and the group of believers. If going to church is seen as an end, it gets
easy to fall into legalism – there becomes a right time, a right place, a right
day and a right way. That means there
also become wrong times, wrong places, wrong days and wrong ways.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I believe
going to church is a <u>means</u> to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being the church</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the church is being part of a local
group of people who gather to fulfill the greatest commandment – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love God with our whole being and love
others (Mark 12:29-31)</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That local
group of people is part of a worldwide group of people and a historical group
of people going back to Jesus (Colossians 1:17-20).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church exists to lift Jesus up by
worshipping him (John 4:23-24), hold Jesus up as the way to be saved (John
14:6) and build each other up so we are more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:11-13).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Cold Springs
Church is committed to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being the church</i> </b>in our
community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, a part of us being the
church is to help people <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">go to church</i>
so they can meet Jesus in worship, discover Jesus is our savior and experience
the grace of Jesus that restores and strengthens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we seek to be like the early church
-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>meeting where and when people were
able.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDnsJ29r5ClsjlmbitEXNfXQEcsuaxFHC8KDmeO4DKIpXmFgNgP59xfTyS4iYGHE7E5VjNExsFxK3IBadD25d9MwcWgwAffsbnzrBZJAzICmce20m69XzK78gR25RNMe-GURjtkXneLo/s1600/coldspringprojector.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDnsJ29r5ClsjlmbitEXNfXQEcsuaxFHC8KDmeO4DKIpXmFgNgP59xfTyS4iYGHE7E5VjNExsFxK3IBadD25d9MwcWgwAffsbnzrBZJAzICmce20m69XzK78gR25RNMe-GURjtkXneLo/s320/coldspringprojector.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thursday,
November 21<sup>st</sup> marks the launch of a new way we are continuing to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be the church</b> in our community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within a 10-mile radius of the Cold Springs
Church property are 72,000 people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An
optimistic estimate would put only 15% being connected to Jesus and his
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means there are 61,000
people who Jesus loves but are not experiencing his love because they aren’t a
part of being the church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Imagine
with me 200 men of courage, women of dignity and children of hope gathered
together each Thursday night who are worshipping Jesus, finding salvation and
experiencing a grace that restores and strengthens their lives, marriages,
families and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what I
see as we fully launch Thursday Night Church on February 6<sup>th</sup>, 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>November 21<sup>st</sup>,
December 19<sup>th</sup> and January 16<sup>th</sup> we will be doing preview
services so we can get a taste of what God is going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will start with a meal at 6:15 for
everyone and then start the service at 6:45 with full youth and kids programs
available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Here is
what I need from you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>PRAY</u></b> for us, for our community,
for your friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray God
will bless our faith and effort and many will come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>INVITE</u></b>
anyone and everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grab a handful of
invite cards and pass them out to your friends, family, neighbors and
co-workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>SERVE</u></b> by volunteering – be a greeter, be part of the
children/youth ministry team, help in clean-up and tear-down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many opportunities to
volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send us an email at <a href="mailto:volunteer@coldspringschurch.net">volunteer@coldspringschurch.net</a>
and we will help you find a place to serve.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let’s be
the church and see what God does through our faithful obedience!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace and grace,<o:p></o:p></div>
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David E Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16732654643494135116noreply@blogger.com0