1 Peter 1:8
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see
him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible
joy.
At Junior High we went fishing for human carp. Look at this fishy!
In a few minutes I will head over to Pioneer Path School to do my volunteer role for the week (that's right, I volunteer too). I'm the Junior High game guy.
We start out the night with a wacky contest. Tonight we'll attach donuts to a fishing line made of rubber bands attached to a "fishing pole" and feeding human carp while they lay on the ground. Fun times!
Later in the night we'll be doing some relays and enjoying some classic dodge ball, with a twist.
I'm loving this role and I'm learning a lot about our ministry to junior highers, like:
I better go get packed up...time to go!
James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:
You must all be quick to listen,
slow to speak,
and slow to get angry.
The day the Bill's announced that Dick Jauron was their new coach, I told them I would be back when it was over.
He is a really nice guy, but after enduring Wannstadt/Jauron era with the Bears, I just couldn't do it again.
Today Ralph Wilson announced a change.
I'm back!
There are some good coaches available.
I hope we land a good one.
Oh, and Mr. Wilson, NO Wanny!
I've been using the One Year Bible for several years. I always look forward to getting to James. What an incredibly practical book. There is something to put to action on every page.
James starts with a set of verses that I quote often:
James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
I love the way the NLT puts it...when your faith is tested it has the chance to grow...SO LET IT GROW!
So let it grow.
We so often fall short of growth because we are unwilling to do what it takes to grow.
How do we grow? Trials.
I never cease to be amazed at the number of believers, who, when trials comes their way say, "Why is God doing this to me?" or "Why is God letting this happen to me?"
Could the passage be any clearer...God wants to grow us! He wants to grow our faith, and growth comes through trials...SO LET IT GROW!
Easier said than done, I know. I don't like pain either. But I do like to grow.
Do we have the guts to pray the follwoing prayer??
"Grow me God."
Do we have the guts to pray it knowing full well that it will involve the pain of trial?
I took last week off. The word "vacation" doesn't quite capture what I did. Let's call it a "break" instead.
The week was consumed by house projects. I had things that I've wanted to get done for months. Much if it involved getting ready for winter, like cleaning the attic and garage, rearranging storage, sealing the garage floor and driveway...things like that.
On Saturday morning Nate and I went to be with Brian for Dad's Weekend at Illinois. After the game was done, we headed over to Bloomington and spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday together.
The "break" is now over. I have an overflowing email box to clear, a bunch of appointments and lots to do.
Hope you had a good week too.
This is from the final chapter of Hebrews, entitled, "Concluding Words." I love last words. They give us a true sense of what is important to the writer...what is weighing heavy on his heart.
Hebrews 13:1-9
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3
Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also
those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.”
6 So we can say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper,
so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?”
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.
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