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A Reserved Relationship Psalm 25 pt 4

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A RESERVED RELATIONSHIP

Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant. Psalm 25:14 NLT1996

http://www.math.yale.edu/users/pjm34/diving/pics/loggerhead.jpg
This week I completed the Rescue and Stress Diving Certification. Yahoo! There were some tense moments in both study and in the water but it was a real privilege to be able to have the time and opportunity. The kicker is I love the winter water . . . especially here in Maui’s western shore! Its so awesome it even makes drowning fun! (Ok just kidding.)

Are You the Contender? Psalm 25 pt3

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Psalm 25 Rehearsing Truth part 3

ARE YOU THE CONTENDER?

I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalms 25:2-5 (NLT)

Meaningful personal devotion begins with gathering my self, my whole self as David does (v1 pt1). It continues with a declaration of trust well placed (v2 pt2), that is as much affirmation to the One I trust as it is healthy self talk. Regular devotion requires the Spirit speak from the word and through the Spirit to my spirit.

What Makes an Idea Stick

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Todd Rhoades of monday morning insight posted a great summary of "Made to Stick." Its something all of us who hope to communicate can benefit from.

 http://mondaymorninginsight.com/index.php/site/comments/why_do_some_ideas_survive_and_others_die/

What makes an idea stick? Chip Heath and Dan Heath recently wrote a book entitled, “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die”. During their research, they took at close look at hundreds of ideas and came up with six principles that they said they saw over and over again that made ideas ‘sticky’. Let’s take a quick look at each of the six, and how they might relate to us in our church leadership settings. Here they are...  

Psalm25 pt 2 Can You Really Trust Your Sponsor?

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LJ022007 Psalm 25 Rehearsing Truth part 2,

CAN YOU, DO YOU REALLY TRUST YOUR SPONSOR?

I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. Psalms 25:1-2 (NLT)

Opinion/Warning: Oprah and "The Secret"

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Yesterday (Friday February 16) and a week ago Friday, Oprah had two 
guests that promoted a new book called "The Secret."  It was 
presented very favorably with all the influence that Oprah has to 
offer, including her saying that she is a Christian and these are 
principles that she has lived by since the early 1980s.  I saw the 
show on the 11 p.m. rebroadcast tonight.  God has not allowed me to 

Paige's Story

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My Story: Paige
Seismic Shifts has made me think about a lot of things.  Mostly how I definitely -- how the world see's me and how God's see's me.

The last part of the book, about witnessing impacted me the most.  I always thought I was a pretty mature Christian, but find I'm really not.  I find I'm pretty lazy about being a Christian.  I stick to my own kind of people, I don't go outside my box very often, if ever.  Now and then someone will ask me about spiritual things, and I try to answer to the best of my ability, but when they have even more questions, I feel pretty inadequate and want to steer them to Art!  I tell them, "let me ask my pastor and I'll get back to ya!!"

Psalm 25 Rehearsing the Truth part 1

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Psalm 25 Rehearsing Truth part 1

Today it was hard to break out of the world and whirlwind I have been locked into and come wholly before God for his help, counsel, healing and protection. God is ready as I see myself in David.

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul." So David begins. He is specific in his address, "To you, O LORD." Just as he is specific he is intentional in his action, "I lift up my soul." The word soul often confuses or misdirects us, the Hebrew word "nephesh" refers not to some mythical inner part of myself but my or in this case David’s whole being, his life, his self, his person, including his desire, passion, appetite, and emotion. "Lift the totality of my being up to you." The word "lift" is "nasah," yeah it sounds like those guys working for that space program that we hear say, "Houston we have lift off." It is most often translated "bear" or "carry." I have to tell you there are times I have to drag myself before the Lord. Sometimes I just don’t see any time for it, I can’t remember the purpose to it, or even have faith in it. I see David like all of us, sometimes I have to cal out God’s name and say I am coming, all of me, I am so pulled in other ways LORD, but I am carrying myself, dragging my desire and emotions but here I am, ready before you! Try it. Start right now if you are still here, repeat after me, "LORD God,______________ here I come, ____________________, I am gathering my thoughts, ___________________my distractions, __________________my attention and all my feelings ____________________and I am coming before ________________ you right now _____________________!"

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