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Treasure vs. Clutter: Deciding What Goes and What Stays
As we near the end of the month, I am anticipating warmer days coming up. Warmer days mean different things for each of us: some may be looking ahead to planning their garden, maybe it’s being able to start using the grill and sit on the deck outside in the evening or for others long days of working outside. I am one of those that will have longer days being outside working as I am a farmer and a rancher (which I enjoy). With the longer days that just means another season is beginning (the season of planting and calving). I am truly blessed to have the occupation that I…
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Learning to Stay in the Moment
Recently, my sisters and I along with my girls, nieces, and mom enjoyed the weekend together just hanging out with no agenda visiting and playing cards. We had our phones and a few brought their computers, but for the most part we unplugged from technology. Don’t get me wrong I’m not against technology, it is wonderful and has its place. But, how often are we to check the latest Facebook post or text message or how many times a day does our phone go off with a notification? I believe just like the earlier articles about Mary and Martha, we should be a little more like Mary. Mary focused on…
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Overloaded, Distracted, and Full of Fear: What should Martha do?
Earlier this week, I posted a transcript of a talk I gave recently on being a Martha (link). After posting it, I thought perhaps I should follow up with a post about some things I’m trying to help keep me focused and redirect me when I do lose focus. Here are just a few things. Lay Down My Burdens In Hebrews 12:1, the author states to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (ESV). God never meant for us to carry more than our own load. His goal rests solely in us seeking him…
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Sunday School–Part 3: The Shortcomings of Application in Today’s World
Moving Forward So far, we have touched on how Sunday School started and how churches are teaching it today. Unfortunately, we continue to see the decline of churches and congregations everywhere. We see churches allowing things that do not reflect what God tells us in the Bible. All of this causes us sinners to further question our faith and where we can find leaders, pastors, churches and fellow believers that truly follow the words of the Bible. We now live in a time where we are seeing not one, not two, but three and four generations of people who have not grown up reading the word. They have no understanding…
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Focus and Fruits: I’m a Martha!
I apologize, this post is longer than usual. I recently spoke at my university’s chapel service and thought the message was one that others might need to hear. The transcript is below. Presented February 2, 2022 Martha and Mary’s entertaining of Jesus in their home is a story that I’m sure most of you have heard numerous times. It’s a classic, in so many ways, and there is a reason that it is repeated often. We need to hear it over and over again, to be reminded. So, here’s our reminder today. I chuckle when I read these verses, as I can imagine Martha running over to Jesus, flour on…
