tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6539067299805958002024-03-13T23:58:12.241-07:00To the Ends of the EarthMichael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-6529781018911827062018-05-02T10:51:00.001-07:002018-05-02T10:51:18.392-07:00Just Keep Swimming<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
“Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.” If you have kids or grandkids I bet you’ve heard that line before. Dory said it in the movie Finding Nemo. Monday night I got hurt playing softball. I went to the doctor on Tuesday, and I don’t need surgery (praise the Lord), but I have a long road ahead of me. So I will, “just keep swimming.” I may not be able to swim (walk) as fast as I normally do for a few months, but I will “just keep swimming.” Life is like that for all of us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We get hurt, we get knocked down, we get delayed, or we get derailed, but we “just keep swimming.”</div>
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We need help. We need encouragement. We need support. Sometimes we need to be challenged, and sometimes we need to be corrected. We need each other. We need a shoulder to cry on. We need a shoulder to lean on. We need an ear to listen. We need arms to fall into. We need…and God, our Heavenly Father, supplies…all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). He is a good, good Father!</div>
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Some of you are spiritually tired. Come be refreshed…and “just keep swimming.” Some of you are spiritually wounded. Come and be restored…and “just keep swimming.”</div>
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Some of you are spiritually complacent. Come and be renewed…and “just keep swimming.”</div>
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Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."</div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-48990570864672193452018-04-23T09:15:00.001-07:002018-04-23T09:15:06.285-07:00May I Have Your Attention PleaseFocus, focus, focus. Stay with me. Are you listening? Wake up. Pay attention. Eyes this way...<br />
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These things I have heard all my life, and now I find myself saying them from time to time. Most of the time it's not bad, but at times it can be.<br />
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I was reading a short article by Dr. Billy Graham this morning and something caught my attention. In the midst of this article he said, "Don't worship the work." I read and reread that statement several times. "Don't worship the work." It got my attention.<br />
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The work is not worthy of worship. Repeat that to yourself, "The work is not worthy of worship."<br />
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Nothing is every worthy of worship. It's not about what we worship but WHO we worship. Worship should never be a "what" kinda thing. The object of our worship is a person. His name is Jesus. Don't get so caught up in "working for Him" that you miss the wonder, the joy, the comfort, the glory and majesty of Him.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-11198433827023995002018-04-17T11:28:00.002-07:002018-04-17T11:28:35.596-07:00In and OutThere are numerous things that could be summed up with the words "In and Out." I will just let your mind pursue that for a moment. I was just watching a short video by John Maxwell on empowerment and he shared something in the video that I want to expound upon.<br />
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He said that empowering people as a leader is like breathing air. You can't take a huge breath and then hold it in forever. Your body wasn't designed to function that way. Empowering people to lead is the greatest way to expand your own influence and leadership. Help make someone else better by giving them the opportunity to grow through trial and error. You aren't actually lessoning your leadership but growing it by empowering others. In and out...<br />
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As I listened to those words my mind went to a spiritual place and a spiritual reality. Our faith is like air, our message, the hope of the gospel is like that as well. In and out...you will never lose what you have received by giving it away. There is an abundance of grace, mercy, and love. You can't just take it all in. King Jesus didn't design our salvation, His grace and redemption, to operate that way. Take it all in...Give it all away, and you will find that there's always been enough to go around.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-52569860165678562472018-04-16T10:19:00.003-07:002018-04-16T10:19:50.504-07:00The Comparison GameGames are fun. I've played games all my life. Some of them I've been good at and some...well you can imagine. I've played different kinds of games at different stages in my life. Some games that were fun to me when I was a kid are not fun anymore, and the opposite is also true, some games that were not fun to me as a kid are now very enjoyable. Some games are fun because there is no real pressure to win, the fun is just playing the game with people who also want to play. Competing and winning are also fun, and sometimes you play those games for the intense competition. When it comes to those games, Winning is fun, and second place is really just first loser.<br />
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There is one game that we all have a tendency to play in life from childhood through adulthood, we never seem to win, and it's not really a fun game to play at all. Yet we play it on a daily basis. The "comparison game" is a killer. Very rarely is it beneficial and encouraging to play this game. It is harmful, and yet we are masters at it. We compare ourselves, our lives, our possessions, our station in life, and so many other things with those types of things in other people's lives, and we walk away feeling cheated and short-changed because we don't have, don't get, can't go like those people whom we are comparing ourselves with. It's the dumbest game I've ever played. I struggle on a daily basis to quit playing, and the struggle is real!<br />
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The one great miss in life when you play the comparison game is gratitude. If you are playing the comparison game you aren't grateful and you aren't thankful. Both of those things are so beautiful on people. We love being around people who are grateful and who are thankful. Let's be those people. Live your life with an attitude of gratitude.<br />
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If you woke up tomorrow with only those things in your life that you were thankful for today, what would you have tomorrow?Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-68371096451094087992018-04-12T09:31:00.001-07:002018-04-12T09:31:58.946-07:00A Story in the MakingOne day you will look back on the experiences of your life, maybe even something specific that has, is, or will happen today, and you will share it as part of a story. It may be an exciting part of the story, it may be a sad part of the story, or it may be difficult part of your story, but it is part of your story none-the-less. I have a question for you. What kind of story do you want to tell? You get to determine a great part of the story you will one day tell.<br />
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The way you think about today will help determine your story.<br />
The way you think about yesterday will help shape your story.<br />
The way you approach tomorrow will steer your story.<br />
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If you act irrationally and emotionally, you may look back on this part of your story and think, "Man, I wish I had done that differently. I wish I could go back and redo that or undo that." If you can slow down enough to step back, take a breath, and focus on the truth (Jesus-John 14:6) you might act differently, and that might change your story.<br />
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You are a story in the making! Make it an awesome story.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-57190746234647843942018-04-11T11:28:00.001-07:002018-04-11T13:36:14.755-07:00It May Have a Word...Have you ever been part of something and new that you were seeing the end of that thing, whether it be a relationship, a business, an era, or something else? I have been witness to some things like that and many times I heard someone say something about the final word. When it comes to the final word one knows that nothing else can or will be said. It is, "the final word."<br />
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I've witnessed people give up on life because they feel like what they were going through, the news they received, what had transpired was the final word for them, and in the heat of the moment it may have SEEMED that way. I have also lived long enough at this point that I know that most of what people would deem as the final word really isn't the final word at all. It may be "a word" but it doesn't have to be the "final word."<br />
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That diagnosis may have a word, but it doesn't have to be the final word.<br />
The bank may speak a word to you about that business idea or deal, but it doesn't have to be the final word.<br />
That person may be able to speak a word, but it doesn't have to be the final word.<br />
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I believe there is only ONE final word, and it will be spoken to you and me by King Jesus. Until you hear from Him, just keep going.<br />
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The cross has the final word.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-10123064320785275012018-04-05T09:13:00.001-07:002018-04-05T09:13:28.170-07:00Here's Hope<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When I think of the word
hope my heart and mind are filled with two opinions: we need it and there's not
much of it. Hope. I think you would agree that we need it considering all the
stuff that is going around us. Shootings, drug addiction, alcohol problems, sex
trafficking and slavery, and the overall moral decline of our culture are all
evidences that we need some hope. All of these issues and the thousands more
that could be listed are all evidences that people are hurting, people are
struggling, people are willing to do some pretty shady and dangerous stuff, all
in the name of finding relief, taking a break, escaping for a little while, and
screaming for help and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We are tired of feeling hopeless and yet we seem to be on the slippery slope of
hoping less and less and less. We've tried almost anything and almost
everything, but we are still hopeless. That's is such a sad condition for the
human heart, for our families, and for our communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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And yet the reality is there is hope. It is readily available to anyone and
everyone. It doesn't matter where you've been. It doesn't matter what you've
done. It doesn't matter where you are from or where you seem to be headed. It
doesn't matter if you are male or female. Hope is available. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hope is an optimistic
state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect
to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. Hope is "to
cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true;
trust."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I believe hope isn't a human idea. I don't think hope came from the heart
and mind of any human being. Hope has a source that's out of this world. Romans
15:13 says, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as
you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy
Spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Well, there ya go. Here's hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-92011007603511147882018-04-04T11:34:00.001-07:002018-04-04T11:34:19.371-07:00Get vs GiveGet or give, the struggle is real. You and I, we are bombarded daily by every means possible that the key to our happiness is by getting. Now what appeals to me to get may be different than what appeals to you to get, but the reality is that world is yelling loud and clear, "The more stuff you have the happier you will be." I would even admit that I've tried it. I bet you might just admit that you've tried the whole getting thing too. Question, "did it work?"<br />
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For me the answer is "No, It didn't work at all." As a matter of fact, it created a monster in my mind and heart that began craving "getting." I have hurt others, even people I love deeply, trying to get what I want. I don't like it when I see it me. It is painful, and it is costly.<br />
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Today I witnessed the opposite of getting, giving. Today is the halfway point of spring break in these parts, and I just left a small struggling church not far from here where two youth groups from two churches have been giving of their time and talents to help this little church get ready for its homecoming. They spruced up the church yard, mulched the flower beds. They have cleaned and painted. It has been amazing to watch. They aren't getting paid, and they are having a great time doing it. I'm very proud of them and their leaders.<br />
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So I saw with my own eyes that giving is better than getting. Now getting doesn't have to be bad, dangerous, or harmful. It's all in the heart. But giving, I have found, is always better than getting. The reason this is true is because the Bible says it is. From the very heart and mouth of God the Son, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many."<br />
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Give it a try. It just might change your life.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-14998630490347701052018-03-31T08:27:00.003-07:002018-03-31T08:27:36.239-07:00The Hunt Is OnIt's Saturday. It's the middle of Easter Weekend. For most of us, spring break is upon us, and people are hunting, people are searching. People are hunting for stuff to do, we must occupy our time. We must fill every moment of time and every space on our calendar. Kids are hunting Easter eggs all over. There is excitement in the air.<br />
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We had about 50 kids, plus parents, on our campus this Am hunting, and I pray they find more than they were expecting to find. The hunt is on.<br />
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Question--what are you hunting? What are you searching for? It might be a better job. It might be a better relationship. You might be searching for peace. You might be searching for joy and happiness. You might be searching for help and answers. The reality is that most people are hunting something. The reality is the most people have varying opinions as to what a person needs to find. There are probably as many ideas about what to search for as there are people who are searching.<br />
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I want to encourage you to search for things that last. Don't waste your time, don't waste you life hunting things that are temporary. To do that is like trying to grab a handful of water. You can try and try and try but you just can't hold on to it. But something that lasts, now that's something you can hold on to for the long haul.<br />
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People are for the long haul. Relationships are long haul material. Be a learner. Be a follower when it's necessary and be a leader when it's possible. Point people towards things that last.<br />
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I'm a Christ follower. I believe that nothing can outlast my relationship with King Jesus. I love the fact that He will be with me forever. He will be with you too, if you come to Him on His terms.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-72017846987947062072018-03-30T10:12:00.000-07:002018-03-30T10:12:32.217-07:00CharacterIn the last few weeks I've met and started to get to know a man who has a talent for drawing. He is an artist. I've seen some of his work and it's pretty impressive. His favorite work is comic book heroes and villains. He does great character work.<br />
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But the reality is that those characters aren't real. They are fiction. People might get lost in their stories, but it's all make believe. It saddens me to watch people waste lots of their time on fiction and make believe. I've seen it over and over again and it's never pretty to watch. I bet you know what I mean.<br />
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John Maxwell says, "Character is not about intelligence. It is about making right choices."<br />
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Character is not about intelligence. It is about making right choices.<br />
Character is not about intelligence. It is about making Right CHOICES.<br />
Character is not about intelligence. It is about making RIGHT CHOICES.<br />
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I hope and you pray you will be men and women of character. Your marriage needs you to be a person of character. Your children need you to be a person of character. Your grandchildren need you to be people of character. You need to teach people to be people of character. It will not happen by accident.<br />
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Make your kids work. It will make them responsible people of character.<br />
Clean up your messes. It's about character.<br />
Take care of your stuff. It's about character.<br />
Lead them well. It's about character.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-50148823687751167882018-03-24T10:10:00.001-07:002018-03-24T10:10:43.293-07:00Broken but UnbrokenI am reading <em>Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption</em> by Laura Hillenbrand. It is the biography of Louis Zamperini. I've seen the movie, and it was very powerful. Now I'm reading the book. There is actually another movie that is coming out soon that will tell the rest of Zamperini's story. He became a Christ follower during the Billy Graham Los Angeles crusade in the 1950's.<br />
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The truth about Zamperini is that he was a broken man. He was flawed in many ways. He had numerous struggles. His story is common in that we are all flawed, broken, and desperate. I know that is an adequate description of my life. And yet, even in his brokenness, he refused to be broken. He suffered greatly, but wouldn't allow his suffering to brake him. He refused to surrender even when he was in captivity. He fought the good fight as a POW. He was a true American hero, but what made him famous was his refusal to break. Even in his weakest moments, he somehow found the strength to take another breath, another step, he chose to live another day.<br />
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I want to encourage you in this also. You and I, we are broken people, but we don't have to brake. We can keep moving forward. We can, if we choose, make it through the darkness of our situations. We can refuse to surrender. I don't know what you are facing, and I won't share what I'm facing. What we are facing is secondary. The struggle to fight and succeed is more important. But where will we find the strength to persevere? <br />
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I will find my hope, my help, my comfort, and my strength in King Jesus. He is my source. He has always been faithful. He has never let me down.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-34214029363625288172018-03-23T10:04:00.000-07:002018-03-23T10:04:13.596-07:00<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
Acts 19-20 (19:11-20)</div>
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The War is Real</div>
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September 27, 2015</div>
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Things are continuing to get “interesting” in our country and in our world. One of the great religious leaders in the world has been in the US, the pope, and in my estimation, he failed. He talked more about global warming that the value of life and the need to protect it or the stance of the Roman Catholic Church on marriage. I am constantly reminded when I think of what we read in the paper, on the internet, and what we see on TV, that the war is real. <span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">Gandalf said, “The enemy is strong beyond our reckoning, yet we have a hope at which he has not guessed.”</span> When we think of war I first think of winners and losers. I think of soldiers and battles, wounds, death, and family. In our text Paul is on his third and final missionary journey. He too is a soldier. He too has many battles to fight, the war is real and it rages around him. Satan is trying to stop Paul, destroy the church, and prevent people from being saved. Living as a disciple of Jesus in not easy. The reason is that to be a disciple of Jesus means you are constantly engaged in spiritual war. There is an increasingly common misrepresentation coming from preachers, especially on TV (Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Jessie Duplantis, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Myers, Paula White, and others), that the Christian life will be easy (life on vacation at the beach). The Bible says the Christian life looks more like this (picture of soldiers moving out).</div>
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<b>I Peter 5:8-10, James 1:2-4, Ephesians 6:10-18</b></div>
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READ TEXT Discuss the battles we see in these 2 chapters.</div>
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<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>The losing side of the war. v. 11-12, 13-16</li>
<ol style="list-style-type: upper-alpha;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>Satan and the demons are on the losing side of the war eternally but also now. <b>Jm. 4:7-8</b></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>7 Sons of Sceva were on the losing side. v.13-17. No relationship with Jesus. Guaranteed to lose. Eternal losers are outside the umbrella of God’s grace. Their attitudes and actions reveal their rebellious hearts. <b>Proc. 27:19</b></li>
</ol>
</ol>
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<b></b><br /></div>
<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>The winning side of the war. v. 11-12, 17, 20</li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>God wins. Jesus is triumphant. The Holy Spirit is victorious. The gospel advances. Every time someone gets saved God wins and Satan loses. Every time a Christian grows in his faith God wins and Satan loses.</li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>God’s soldiers win. <b>II Cor. 10:4-5, 11:16-12:10</b></li>
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<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman;">
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"></span>What do you need to do to win? v. 18-20 Take only what you need to fight, to win, into the battle with you. Remember the pic of the soldiers, they didn’t have beach chairs and volleyballs, they had their armor on their weapons in hand. The disciples in Ephesus destroyed the things, the books of magic, because of the destructive nature of those things to their new lives and their new mission. What do you need to lose now?</li>
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<b>1 Peter 5:8-10</b>(ESV) <b>8 </b>Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. <b>9 </b>Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. <b>10 </b>And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.</div>
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<b>James 1:2-4 </b>(ESV) <b>2 </b>Count it all joy, my brothers,[<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(99, 30, 22); color: #631e16;">a</span>] when you meet trials of various kinds, <b>3 </b>for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. <b>4 </b>And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</div>
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<b>Ephesians 6:10-18</b> (ESV) <b>10 </b>Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. <b>11 </b>Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. <b>12 </b>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. <b>13 </b>Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. <b>14 </b>Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, <b>15 </b>and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. <b>16 </b>In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; <b>17 </b>and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, <b>18 </b>praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.</div>
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Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-13228425695018510032018-03-23T10:03:00.003-07:002018-03-23T10:03:36.034-07:00Coach or CriticI don't know about you but I've had a lot of coaches in my life. I played sports growing up and had coaches on every team I've ever played on. Coaches are awesome. Coaches want to help you so they teach you new things. Coaches are awesome. Coaches want you to reach your full potential so they encourage you. Coaches are awesome. Coaches want you to succeed so they are honest with you but they are honest in a way that motivates you to do better and try harder. Coaches are awesome. Coaches see the big picture, they see more than you do because they've been around longer, in most cases, and have more experience. Coaches are able to communicate with you so that you are able to hear, process, and apply. Coaches are awesome. Coaches ultimately build you up.<br />
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Critics are people in our lives, and I believe they, for the most part, want to help, but what critics do is beat you up. Critics are present, but they see the negative, and repeated point out your mistakes and failures. Critics are present, but they feel it their responsibility to put you in your place. Critics are present, but they...really get some kind of sick pleasure out of seeing you fail.<br />
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You have a choice to make today: Coach or Critic. One is a person that anyone would want to have walk through life together. The other is a person no one wants to have in their lives. Determine that you will be a coach today. Build up or beat up.<br />
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I'll take a few more coaches and would love to get rid of a few critics. I choose to be a coach to others. I want to be a builder-upper.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-56167309024755777402018-03-21T06:08:00.001-07:002018-03-21T06:08:58.098-07:00Dig A Little DeeperI just finished reading a blog by Seth Godin, I want to give credit for the initial idea of what I'm about to write. His idea was shallow vs. deep.<br />
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We are on information overload: emails, blogs, social media, apps for news, weather, sports, and stuff for all our hobbies and pleasure. I know when it comes to social media and all it's glory I'm a skimmer. I very seldom go deep. I don't want to get bogged down with the endless chatter and debates. Most of it is simply ridiculous, immature, and completely unnecessary. I also realize that people are, most of the time, presenting a picture of themselves that's not quite as real as real life, much like "reality TV." People let others into the best 5 seconds of their lives, and those watching actually think that that picture represents the norm for the presenter. NOT TRUE!!! We should dig a little deeper before we start wishing we had "their life." If you dug a little deeper into the lives of others you would come to realize pretty quickly that what's going in their lives isn't all that great, and you would might just start appreciating your life a little bit more. You might start investing in your own life, digging a little deeper, a little bit more so that you grow to maturity and are able to do some good and maybe even help someone else along the way. Dig a little deeper.<br />
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If all of these this is true in our daily lives I wonder if it's true in our spiritual life as well? Could it be that the reason our physical lives are what they are is that we have often failed to dig a little deeper in our spiritual lives? Have we really gone as far with Jesus as we hope others think we have? Do we spend our days with our religious, spiritual friends trying to make them think we are spiritual giants when we can't see over the dashboard yet? I bet if we spent as much time with Jesus as we spend trying to convince others we are spending time with Jesus we might just grow up in the faith, catch that first glimpse over the dash at the road ahead, be filled with wonder and amazement at our Heavenly Father, and develop a hunger to dig a little deeper.<br />
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I pray your hands get a little dirty as you dig.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-39734584229437630482018-03-20T07:06:00.002-07:002018-03-20T07:06:50.877-07:00The Leader is DeadI try to read a portion of the Bible every day. I have done this most days since the fall of 1999. It has become a great spiritual discipline in my life. I am also training myself to journal. I haven't gotten to the everyday normal part of my routine, but it's becoming more common than not. It's amazing what flows through that pen from time to time. Today I was reading in the Book of Deuteronomy. It's in the Old Testament, and it's the fifth book in the OT. Moses wrote this book along with the four books that precede it. I read chapters 31-32 today. In these chapters Moses has finished reminding the Israelites of all that God has done for them. He has seen them through many trials and difficulties. God has protected them. God has fed them. God has sustained them. God has given them water to drink when there was no water to found. It's been an amazing ride. But sadly, it's time for Moses to die. He is 120 years old at this time, and it seems like he is still vigorous and strong. Nothing about him would lead anyone to believe that it is his time to go, and yet God says it is. Moses had messed up. He got angry and he disobeyed the instruction of the Lord, haven't we all done that, but his failure to obey was such a great offense to the Lord that God told him He would not allow him to enter the Promised Land.<br />
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God takes Moses up on mountain to show him all the land that the Israelites would take possession of. God passes the mantle of leadership to Joshua who will lead the people to victory in the Promised Land, and then Moses drops dead. The leader is dead. The one who, in human terms, led them out of slavery in Egypt is dead. The one who stood in the presence of the Lord is dead. The one whom they had depended on for 40 years is dead. He is gone. God buried him in a place that no one knows. God didn't even leave a marker. But understand, the next step was not back for God's people it was forward. God wasn't about to give them another reason to hesitate. They must trust Him. They must obey Him. They must follow Him.<br />
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Joshua, it's your turn. Step up to plate. Take a great big swing. "Don't be afraid. Be strong and courageous. I am with you." I love the fact that God never asked Joshua to be Moses. God never asked Joshua to be like Moses. God wanted Joshua to be Joshua. God wanted him to be just like He created him to be. That is refreshing to my heart and soul. God doesn't want me to be someone else. He wants me to be me, but me completely surrendered to Him.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-70075213783325469692018-03-19T17:26:00.000-07:002018-03-19T17:26:12.033-07:00An Open Door...For the last few days those words have been bouncing around in my mind. I've actually had them on my heart for a while now. As I look around at my community, county, and across the country, for some reason, I see an open door.<br />
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Open doors are cool. It speaks of access and availability. It speaks of trust. It is welcoming. It speaks of acceptance. Open doors feel like home. You are welcome here. You are wanted here. No pressure. That sounds absolutely fantastic.<br />
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I'm a Christian, and I'm not ashamed of that fact. I'm not ashamed of the Christ that I have identified with and the Christ who, most importantly has identified with me. His identifying with me and accepting me is what makes me a Christian. It's an open door! I'm accepted. I have found my value and purpose by walking through that open door. It is a door that only Jesus could open, and man, did He open it! He opened it as wide open as a door can open. He made a way when there seemed to be no way. That sounds absolutely fantastic to me too.<br />
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I'm not just a Christian, I'm also a pastor of local church in a rural community in North Carolina. I love the life God has graciously called me to. It's an open door, and I'm as free as bird living this life. It's an honor and a privilege to serve King Jesus in this capacity. I can't imagine doing anything else for all my life. I've been serving King Jesus in this vocation for 18 years as a senior pastor and am celebrating 20 years of serving the church in ministry. Talk about God's grace and mercy, I'm living proof. It's an open door.<br />
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I've been serving Highland Baptist Church for 6.5 years now, and although it hasn't all been easy, I wouldn't trade God's call to shepherd this congregation for anything in the world. There is no way to describe with human words a shepherd's heart. The only way you will ever understand it is to become a shepherd yourself. And King Jesus has placed before us an open door (Rev. 3:7-13). He is giving us an opportunity to serve Him, to be His hands and feet. We are the only Jesus some will ever see, and if they were watching us Sunday, they saw the real deal. I'm so thankful for my church family and I'm so proud of you all. God bless you. I love you.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-68196441590915887992018-03-16T08:08:00.000-07:002018-03-16T08:08:01.164-07:00Who You Marry Matters<div class="MsoNormal">
At Power Hour this past Wednesday I talked about the power
of influence and decisions we make. We are currently in Genesis 24 as we study
the life of Abraham. In Genesis 24 we find the story of Abraham sending his
servant to get a bride for Isaac. If you grew up in church you’ve probably
heard this story quite a few times, but on Wednesday I talked about the
decision and impact of who you marry. I said, “Who you marry matters.” I didn’t
ask for testimonies, but I could have. I wonder how you think about the truth
of that simple statement, “who you marry matters.” </div>
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Abraham looked around at the culture and practices of the
families of Canaan. He saw how they worshiped. He saw how they worked. He saw a
lot of stuff that he didn’t like, and he said, “I don’t want that for my son,
no way, no how.” He knew those influences would more than likely pull his son
Isaac away from worshiping and serving the Lord than he pull them up toward
God. So Abraham said, “I won’t have that in my house. I won’t allow that for my
son.” Abraham was looking, not only at his immediate family, but at the generations
to follow. Abraham wanted the generations of his family that would come long
after he was dead and gone to be people who would worship and obey and serve
Jehovah. He was determined to do everything in his power to make sure that
Isaac was encouraged to follow God rather than led astray. Abraham knew that "Who you marry matters," He knew the impact of that decision on his life and he knew it would have a profound impact on Isaac and his family. Influence is powerful. Influence is critical. Influence is directional.</div>
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I'm not sure that I like, in any way, shape, or form, the current practice of dating in our culture. Not that hanging out is bad, but it is influential. Decisions are made and lives are altered. Why would I want one of my daughters allowing that kind of influence from someone they probably will never marry? I know this for sure, they won't marry the wrong person if they aren't dating the wrong person. And I think that's just part of my job as "Daddy," to keep they from hanging around, hanging out, and/or dating the wrong person. "Not my kids, and not at my house."</div>
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How about you and your family? Are you willing to stand up
and say about your house, considering the ways of the world, “Not in my house!
Not for my sons and daughters!” Are you willing to say like Joshua, “As for me
and my house, we will serve the Lord.”? I am willing to lead my family like
that. Will you join me? Will you do all that you can to raise a family that
worships and serves the one true God? I pray that blessing on your family and
mine.</div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-51109167955791656692018-03-15T07:04:00.002-07:002018-03-15T07:04:31.908-07:00As long as there is Life there is hope. -Steven HawkingThe title of this blog is a quote Steven Hawking made. I saw yesterday morning that he has died at the age of 76. No one had given him a chance of living with the debilitating disease he had, and yet he defied the odds and lived a long and "productive" life. He was very productive from the world's perspective. He became one of the most brilliant physicists the world has ever known. He influenced generations of mankind. His work will continue to influence generations in the future.<br />
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Mr. Hawking was a renowned scientist and he was a renowned atheist. He didn't believe God existed, and he spent his life trying to prove that God doesn't exist. He hated the very idea that God might exist, and he did everything in his power to lead people away from event entertaining the notion that God exists. And yet on March 14 Steven Hawking entered eternity. He died never having found any concrete evidence to validate what he believed to be true. One of his goals in life was to figure out why the universe came into existence at all. This is an impossible task to accomplish having "determined" that it came into existence accidentally rather than by design at the hand of a Master Creator. He proposes that order came from chaos, and yet we have never found that to true in any other reality at any other time. There has never been one proof that order has ever come from chaos. It is impossible. Order comes and functions because it is designed that way.<br />
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Take the order of something simple...the human hand. It is absolutely impossible, even if you give a clump of grey matter 10 billion years, to evolve into something so complex as the human hand. Order and complexity come by design, and if something comes from design there must therefore be a Designer.<br />
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Now back to the title of the blog...the great quote by the brilliant scientist. "As long as there is life there is hope." As I read that line I began to think on it for a while. "As long as there is life there is hope." I couldn't agree more. As long as someone is alive there is hope. "Hope for what?" you might ask. Just hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a better future. Hope for a better job. Hope for a better relationship. Hope for a cure. And the list of "Hope for..." just goes on and on. What are you hoping for today? What are you hoping for tomorrow? What are you hoping for while there is still life in your hands and breath in your lungs?<br />
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I remember the words of an old song we use to sing in church, "My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand." <br />
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Jesus told us these simple truths in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE, no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me." In essence Jesus is saying, "Because I am life, I am hope. I died so that you could live. I rose from the dead, and I am alive forevermore. Nothing can kill me. Nothing can dethrone me. As long as I am...there is hope. You have hope." But the Bible also says this, "It is appointed unto man (each man, every man) once, to die, and after that, the judgment." <br />
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Steven Hawking died. There is now, no hope for him. As he left this world, the condition of his heart, so he will be for all eternity. He made his choice. He lived his life. He now knows the truth, but there is nothing he can do to change his current and eternal destination and reality. If you are reading this, there is still hope for you because you are still alive. "As long as there is life there is hope." Let the words of Hawking bounce around in your mind for a while. Think about it. Ask yourself some serious questions about that quote. If Hawking was right and death is the end and there is nothing after, then I have lost absolutely nothing. I have only chosen to live a good moral life helping people. But if Hawking got it wrong, and I believe through personal experience that you can't argue with and I believe with every fiber of my being that he did get it wrong, then he took his last breath on earth, death came, he opened his eyes on the other side of death in a literal, real, and eternal place called Hell. It's not a party. It's not fun. It's more horrible than anything you could ever imaging on earth, and he is there. <br />
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"As long as there is life there is hope." When Hawking said this he was right. There is still hope for you. Reach out to Hope, His name is Jesus. He will hear you. He will save you. He will extend grace to you "that is greater than all your sin." Jesus would have done the same thing for Steven Hawking had he asked, and He will do it for you if you will only ask Him.Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-77305474811057439182018-03-09T14:42:00.002-08:002018-03-09T14:42:40.244-08:00Jesus, Friend of SinnersThat song by Casting Crowns has been on my mind today. As I sit here reflecting, could it be that I am sinner and I need a friend? The answer to those two questions is "Yes," a big fat YES!<br />
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It's Friday and I came up to my office to make sure my sermon notes are just the way I want them. I emailed them to my wife and asked her to look them over. (Probably need to do that more often.) I'm preaching the second part of a message I called The Humanity of Jesus Christ. We will be looking at the empathetic Savior on Sunday, and I that phrase, "Jesus friend of sinners" just keeps going through my mind.<br />
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What a friend we have in Jesus!Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-14333721805969108282016-11-09T13:02:00.001-08:002016-11-09T13:02:32.639-08:00Psalm 23:5 Sermon Notes<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12.7px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Follow Me: The Lord is my Shepherd</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">David is in a situation that is desperate, but he is completely confident in his Shepherd and he is at peace in his heart. As the Lord has been faithful to him in the past, David believes the Lord will continue to be faithful. He’s been through too much with the Lord to stop believing in Him and to quit living for Him. Today we will learn just how David believes the Lord is being faithful to him in the present moment, and we can apply it to our own lives. READ TEXT</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I. ”You prepare." David is commenting on the reality that Jesus brings and/or allows every circumstance to come to him. There is a divine purpose for instruction, discipline, strength and faith building in every situation and relationship we experience or are involved in. Jesus also "prepares us" by allowing us to witness the faithfulness or lack there of in others whom we come into contact with during life's journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Two possibilities of meaning for "Table" in verse 5. 1) an actual table where a meal was provided. 2) a flat place in the mountains and hills was called a table. It was a great place to rest the sheep after a hard climb (battle). </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">II. ”In the presence of my enemies." The shepherd brought the sheep back to the fold each evening. It was usually a circular stone walled structure with a small entrance way that the sheep would go through one at a time. The shepherd placed himself in that small opening during the night, even as he slept. Any enemy of the shepherd, any thief, any wild animal looking for a free meal would have to go through the shepherd to get to the sheep. No where in Scripture does it say that or did God promise to remove our enemies, but He does promise that we can overcome them, experience victory over them. This gives me a mental picture of being engaged in a fight and winning. Fights aren't clean and pretty, nor are they easy. You hit and get hit. You bleed when you're in a real fight. Soldiers get wounded and need to have medical attention. But in all of this King Jesus is with us. "He has overcome already all those things that come against us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">The good man has his enemies. He would not be like his Lord if he had not. If we were without enemies we might fear that we were not the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to God. (Spurgeon)</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We tend to be frightened when confronted with an enemy. Perfect love casts out all fear. "In the midst of the storm, you remain in control. In the middle of the war, you are guard my soul. You alone are the anchor when the sails are torn. Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm."</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">III. ”Anoint my head with oil." The shepherd would apply oil and ointment to the heads of the sheep to keep flies and biting insects away. It was protection on one hand and healing on the other. Many commentators point to the NT and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in the life of each believer and the church. The Holy Spirit is here to guide us, protect us, guard us, comfort us, mend what’s broken, strengthen what is weak, confront what is sinful, bless what is godly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The sheep were always secure when the shepherd was close at hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">IV. ”My cup overflows." It's not that you have too little or just enough when you follow King Jesus as your shepherd. Walking His paths and trust His heart will lead you to a cup that is full and overflowing. Notice that the verb is present tense. It is currently overflowing which indicates that the one pouring into the cup has no plans to stop pouring. <b>James 1:5, Prov. 3:5-10, Luke 6:38, II Cor. 9:8-12.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Don’t forget, don’t allow the enemy to steal away from you the reality of the faithfulness of God toward you. If you walk out of here today with a firm and renewed belief that God has been, is being, and will be faithful to you, your life will be different and you will walk in victory. If you win, Satan loses. He wants to steal that victory from you. He wants you to live defeated. In King Jesus, you are a winner. Claim the victory. Cling to the victory. Lead someone else to victory.</span></div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-89860233813599582002016-11-09T13:01:00.002-08:002016-11-09T13:01:19.134-08:0011-11-16 email update<div class="MsoNormal">
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Last night (Tuesday) was a stressful night. I stayed up
until 1:15am trying to see the results of the election, and even then there was
no clear winner for president. I was off to the hospital at 5:30am for a
member’s surgery, and it was at that point that I learned we had a
president-elect, Donald J. Trump. I’m sure you are aware of his campaign slogan
“Make America Great Again.” That statement speaks volumes. It reveals that
America, from the perspective of Donald and his team, had been great, was now
no longer great, but could be great again with the right leaders with the right
plan. I have been thinking a lot about that slogan today, and I believe that it
will take many people working very hard for a long period of time to “Make America
Great Again.” Great effort and energy, perseverance, and consistency are
crucial components of any plan to see significant change in the USA. And then
my mind began to think about Highland Baptist Church. I want to see HBC grow
deep and grow wide. I long to see the members of HBC grow in their own personal
relationship with King Jesus (DEEP). I long to see the members of HBC grow wide
(increase attendance, church growth). In that sense I want to see HBC become
“greater” than it’s ever been. </div>
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I believe King Jesus has a magnificent plan and purpose and
mission for Highland Baptist Church, for you and for me. But I believe that a
great part of that magnificent plan, purpose, and mission will never become a
reality if you and I aren’t willing to put in the “great effort and energy,
perseverance, and consistency” to see what we dream of and desire for Highland
Baptist Church take place. Do you want to see America become great again? What
price are you willing to pay so that it happens? Do you want to see Highland
Baptist Church become an even greater church? What price are you willing to pay
so it happens? I have really been spending a lot of time praying about 2017,
and as I have prayed the Lord has redirected me to a different theme than I
originally thought about. Our theme for 2017 will be “WHATEVER IT TAKES.” I
truly believe the best days for this church are in front of her. We’ve had some
great days in the past, but our best will be found in what lies ahead. I want
to get there, “Whatever it takes.” I pray you will ponder and pray about this three-word
statement. I pray it will grab hold of your heart with heavenly hooks that will
never let go, and that you and I will spend the rest of our days serving King
Jesus, “WHATEVER IT TAKES.”</div>
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Make plans to come back to church Sunday night for our
annual business meeting at 6pm. It will be followed by a time of food and
fellowship. If you haven’t grabbed an advance copy of the proposed budget and
nominating committee recommendations, they are available for your preview at
the Welcome Center. I want to thank the members of the Finance Team and the
Nominating Team for your hard word. May God bless you all for your faithful service
to the Lord Jesus at HBC.</div>
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Serving Him,</div>
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Pastor Mike</div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-67192430309530717482016-10-16T04:50:00.002-07:002016-10-16T04:50:22.054-07:00Sermon Notes<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Psalm 23:4</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Follow Me: The Lord is my Shepherd</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">October 16, 2016</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We have found comfort at every moment of our journey through this great Psalm with David. As we continue, remember that it was our Shepherd who inspired the shepherd/king to pen these verses. Jesus knew where David was and what He needed in every circumstance, Jesus knows you and me just as well. Hallelujah! What a Savior. Someone once wrote a different version of Psalm 23 that I want to share with you right now. As I read this, ask yourself which one is a better representation of you. <i>A Stubborn Calf’s Psalm 23</i>. Now, let’s read the real thing together. READ TEXT I don’t know about you but I want the real one to be the right one for me. Ray Charles—You got the right one baby!</span></div>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Part one. v. 4a</span></li>
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<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">David transitions from talking about the Shepherd to talking with the Shepherd (Wiersbe). Oh what a difference it makes when we go from talking about Jesus to talking to Him. It’s true on a horizontal level and it’s an even greater reality on the vertical level. We always accomplish more when we talk to someone rather than talking about them.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Even though. </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">The first two words of verse 4 are so powerful. They are words of perspective.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> David gives us a glimpse of his heart and mind in these two word. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 45, 33); color: #ff2d21;">EVEN THOUGH</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">! No matter where he might be physically. No matter what that moment in time might feel like...he knows the Lord is his Shepherd. If you will allow the Lord Jesus to get you to the point in your life where this is your perspective, your life and the world around you will never be the same. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 45, 33); color: #ff2d21;">“Even though they slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I walk. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(73, 155, 201); color: #499bc9;">“To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed. The dying saint is not in a flurry, he does not ran as though he were alarmed, nor stand still as though he would go no further, he is not confounded nor ashamed, and therefore keeps to his old pace” (Spurgeon)</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. We don't walk in the valley of the shadow of death, Christians walk through it. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 169, 58); color: #ffa93a;">"Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it. (Spurgeon)</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> It's not the valley of death but the valley of the shadow of death. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 45, 33); color: #ff2d21;">(Would you rather be hit by a train or the shadow of a train?)</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> </span><span style="font-kerning: none; text-decoration: underline;">The shepherd that leads you through life will be with you in death. Choosing your shepherd couldn't be more critical. Think it through. You can't follow the devil and the world, as your shepherd, all your life and expect Jesus to shepherd you through death. Your life choice for a shepherd is an eternal one.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> The great news is that Jesus is ready, willing, and able to become your shepherd at a moments notice. He is "sittin on go" waiting for you to hand over all that remains. You might say, "All that remains?!" Yes whatever is left and for however long you have left, He will Shepherd you.</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 45, 33); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #ff2d21; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">I will fear no evil. </span><span style="font-kerning: none;">The worst evils of life are those which do not exist except in our imagination. If we had no troubles but real troubles, we should not have a tenth part of our present sorrows. We feel a thousand deaths in fearing one</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">, but the Psalmist was cured of the disease of fearing. “I will fear <i>no evil</i>,” (Spurgeon).</span></li>
<li style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(110, 192, 56); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #6ec038; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">We are comforted by who He is and that He is with us.</span></li>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">II. Part two. v. 4b</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> A. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(110, 192, 56); color: #6ec038;">We are comforted by what He has.</span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Rod and staff offer protection and guidance. Can be used to <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>save from an enemy and can be used to rescue one from unseen trouble or danger. This also <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; -webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(255, 45, 33); color: #ff2d21;">reminds us that He is in charge, He is in the lead, He is shepherding us not the other way <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"> B. Sheep lack good vision and are easily frightened in new circumstances, especially where it’s <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>dark; and the presence of the shepherd calms them (Wiersbe). You and I have faced some <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>pretty dark days in our lives. We have made it through them because our Shepherd never left <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>us alone. We can face whatever dark days are ahead of us because He is just as faithful to us <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>today as He has ever been. Even the dark days of death can be faced victoriously, without <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>fear, because He is here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There is no doubt that life is hard, and the sorrows we endure change us in ways we could never have imagined. But through it all our Great Shepherd, the King of kings and the Lord of lords walks with us. He guards our hearts and minds. He loves us. He protects us. He will lead us home.</span></div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-29626303218140020222016-10-15T19:41:00.002-07:002016-10-15T19:41:39.317-07:0010-14-16 Weekly Update<div class="MsoNormal">
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So often I will get asked by well meaning and sincere
believers, “Why or How do you do what you do? I could never do what you do, and
I don’t know how you keep doing what you do with all you have to go through.”
They are asking how I keep doing ministry as a pastor. Some are asking why I
keep doing ministry as a pastor. Shoot, sometimes I even ask myself the very
same question. Ministry isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. Most of
the time it is challenging, difficult, frustrating, draining, and lonely. But I
do have an answer to that question whatever form it might take. It is very
simple and this past Sunday is that answer in visible form. God’s calling is
clear and unmistakable. I wouldn’t for one minute be in ministry if it were not
for God’s calling. Ministry, quite often, yields little visible proofs or fruit
that anything worthwhile is being done. Most preacher/pastors go to bed each
night wondering if they really accomplished anything of eternal value that day,
and those same men wake up each morning wondering if anything truly significant
will be accomplished that day. So often it is very easy to loose sight of the
truth that surrender and obedience, daily, to King Jesus is the ultimate
success for any Christ follower, including preacher/pastors. God is good and
God is faithful. As a pastor I long for and rejoice in those moments when God
allows you to SEE the fruit. As those cadets from the Tarheel Challenge Academy
passed through the waters of our baptistery we all witnessed, we watched, we saw
the fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! What a Savior we have.
Thank you Lord Jesus. God reminded me that faithfulness in the daily things of
life produces eternal fruit in the Kingdom of God. They publically confessed
Jesus as Savior and Lord as they were baptized in the death of Jesus and raised
to walk in the newness of life. What glory we beheld! May our participation in
their coming to Christ excite our hearts and be a motivation to reach out in
the darkness with the light of Christ Jesus more and more. There are literally
thousands around us, right here at home in Stanly County, who will die and go
to Hell unless someone goes where they are and tells them the glorious gospel
of Jesus Christ. The gospel is “good news,” but only if they hear it in time. </div>
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We will be going out into our community tomorrow from 9-11
am hanging doorknockers and inviting people to come to our Fall Festival/Fish
Fry on October 29. We are going to have a lot of great things going on, and we
want to be intentional about sharing the gospel with those who come on our
campus. Will you come help us invite people to come? Will you commit to be here
on the 29<sup>th</sup> to minister the love of Jesus to those who come to take
part in this annual event of our church? We need you! We want YOU!</div>
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I will let you know that we still have 6 tickets to the
David Jeremiah event next Wednesday evening. Contact me ASAP if you would like
to go with us. It’s going to be a great evening of worship through song and
God’s Word. You can get more details in the bulletin. </div>
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There is still room for some of you to join me in a quick
overnight trip to the mountains on October 20-21 to view God’s handiwork as the
leaves change. We will probably also find an apple orchard somewhere and bring
home some delicious fruit. The cost is one nights lodging and meals. </div>
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Let me leave you with these words from Psalm 92:1-4. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1</b> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">It is
good to give thanks to the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">to sing praises to your name, O Most
High;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">to
declare your steadfast love in the morning,</span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">and your faithfulness by night,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3 </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">to the
music of the lute and the harp,</span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">to the melody of the lyre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4 </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">For
you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;</span><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Courier; mso-bidi-font-size: 6.5pt;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">at the works of your hands I sing for
joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">God bless you. Have a great weekend. I’ll see you for worship
on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Serving Him,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Pastor Mike</span></div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-73319148754470919312016-09-30T07:39:00.002-07:002016-09-30T07:39:57.758-07:00Weekly Email Update Article<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekly Update 9-30-16</div>
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Fall is here, the weather is beautiful as the temperatures
begin to cool, and God is in complete control. I find such great comfort in
that reality. There is freedom in the truth, and the truth is God is in
control. He’s in control of my circumstances and He’s in control of your
circumstances. In His grace and mercy He allows and even brings “life” to our
doorstep to mold us and shape us, to help us become who He created us to be.
When “life” happens, remember that God is at work. Romans 8:28 is a powerful
and liberating verse. It says, “<u>And we know</u> (!) that for those who love
God <u>all things</u> work together for <u>good,</u> for those who are <u>called
according to His purpose</u>” (ESV). I underlined those words in that verse for
a reason. 1) I need to be reminded of the truth. 2) You need to be reminded of
the truth. Good or bad, through laughter and tears, God is working out His
purpose and His plan for you and me every day, no matter what. He is a good,
good Father, and we should trust Him. He is trustworthy and faithful.</div>
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I remember one day when I was a young boy that my father put
me up on the roof of our house to get something, probably a toy that I had
thrown up there. He didn’t use a ladder, he just lifted me up on the roof. I
got the toy or whatever it was he sent me up there to get and I remember
throwing it down to the ground. Then I asked him how I was going to get down.
He said to me, “Jump! I will catch you.” I said, “No way. I’m scared.” You can
imagine how the conversation went back and forth for a couple minutes. I
remember looking into my father’s eyes. He had never let me down before. I
swallowed really hard, got as low as I could on the roof, and then I flung my
self into the air and into the arms of my dad. He did exactly what he said he
would do. He caught me. I remember that I immediately said, “Can I do that
again?” Two or three more times my dad pushed me up onto the roof and I turned
around and jumped, but now there was no hesitation or reservation in my mind. I
knew my dad was going to catch me rather than let me fall, all I had to do was
jump. Jumping became fun after that first jump.</div>
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Next Sunday during the 11 am worship service we will be
baptizing 17 cadets from the Tarheel Challenge Academy. This will be the last
service these cadets attend at our church. Their time in the residency phase of
the TCA has come to an end. <u>We will be having another covered dish meal on
October 9 following the 11 am service.</u> Because we have so many to baptize I
will not be preaching during the second service; it will be our regular song
service and then I will baptize. We do have others that will be baptized, so if
you are awaiting baptism and would like to participate next Sunday, please call
the office ASAP to let us know. I would encourage you to attend both services
next Sunday. I will be preaching from Psalm 23:4 in the first service, and I
don’t want you to miss any of the messages from this great passage. I encourage
you to be praying for the cadets because these last few weeks will be harder on
them than they think. Many of them are not excited about going back home
permanently because of the situation they have to deal with. They need our
prayer support. Lift them up to our Heavenly Father because He cares about
them.</div>
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We have lots of things going on during the month of October.
Double check your bulletin for information about these events because you don’t
want to miss out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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-October 8 is the car show at Richfield. (Contact Dale King
if you can help out.)</div>
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-October 13 is the Decision America prayer time led by
Franklin Graham in Raleigh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-October 14 is TCA cadet graduation at the Agri-Civic Center
at 10 am.</div>
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-October 14 is the benefit for Amie Sides at Highland
Baptist Church.</div>
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-October 19 is the David Jeremiah event in Greensboro with
music by Kari Jobe.</div>
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-October 20-21 is the fall leaves viewing trip to the
mountains.</div>
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-October 29 is the fall festival and fish fry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I pray you have a blessed weekend. I pray I will see you in
church on Sunday as we gather together as brothers and sisters in Christ to
worship our Savior and Lord, King Jesus. May God richly bless you and your
family.</div>
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Serving Him,</div>
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Pastor Mike</div>
Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653906729980595800.post-80171360494114143002016-08-07T05:18:00.003-07:002016-08-07T05:18:18.509-07:00Something I read about relationships and why we fight.<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; width: 600px;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="bodyContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #515151; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 30px; padding-top: 40px;" valign="top"><strong>Dear Friend,</strong><br />
Gary Smalley is one of my marriage heroes. His books about relationships have been some of the most influential in my life. In one of his books, <i>The DNA of Relationships,</i> he talks about a concept called the "fear dance."<br />
As someone whose marriage nearly failed because of our fears, this concept really resonated with me. Smalley's premise is that we all have core fears that impact our decision-making and our responses to circumstances.<br />
Husbands and wives have different core fears.<br />
Men tend to fear things like helplessness, being controlled, failure, and disrespect.<br />
Women tend to fear disconnection, not being appreciated, not being heard, or not being valued.<br />
In my experience, this breakdown of fears is incredibly accurate. I believe every person deals with one of these kinds of core fears.<br />
According to Smalley, the "fear dance" consists of several repeated steps: <i>I hurt. I want. I fear. I react. Then you hurt. You want. You fear. You react.</i> Then I hurt, and the cycle begins again. All of us are hurting because of some issue in our lives. Because we are hurting, we want a solution.<br />
Some people try to solve their fear by working too hard or spending long hours at the office. Some invest too much time into a hobby, or even into their children. Some overeat. Some drink too much. They fear losing control or being disrespected. They react to these feelings, and cause a separate fearful reaction in their spouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-top: 15px;">21-Day Inner Healing Journey<br /><a href="http://marriagetoday.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5f31d973b4be22dc134484a78&id=a76eef5cf9&e=8725d0d485" style="color: #666666; font-size: 13px;">Overcome mental strongholds and toxic emotions</a></span></td></tr>
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A perfect example of this comes from a friend of mine who is a Christian psychologist. Several years ago—in the days before cell phones—this man's wife called him at the office to ask when he'd be home for dinner. He gave her a specific time. A few hours later, he left the office in time to get home.<br />
But on the way out, he encountered a patient coming to see him with an emergency that involved a threatened suicide. The psychologist was a specialist in that area and immediately went into professional mode. It led to an intense, difficult counseling situation, but ultimately he saved a person's life.<br />
Hours later, the psychologist left the office feeling good about himself. But, of course, he missed dinner. He hadn't been able to call his wife to let her know about the delay. He'd just saved a life, but when he got home, she was furious. It led to a huge fight.<br />
She had been worried when he didn't come home. She felt unimportant when he seemingly didn't care enough to call. He wasn't communicating with her. His job was taking him away from her. All of these thoughts sent her into a cycle of fear.<br />
From his perspective, he felt another fear: being disrespected and misunderstood. He had just saved someone's life! The previous hours had validated his entire career, and all he heard was about how he missed dinner.<br />
Both saw a form of rejection in each other's actions and reacted to it. That's the fear dance, and it's the cause of the deepest fights in a marriage.<br />
We have to learn to escape the fear dance. Paul wrote, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).<br />
Rather than let our fears damage our closest relationships, we need to give them over to God. Acknowledge your fears, take responsibility for the hurtful actions they might cause, then trust God to cover those thoughts with His peace.<br />
Rather than fear, He will fill us with His love, with His power, and with a sound mind. With His help you can overcome your fear, and I promise it will make a different spouse out of you. What do you fear? How does it impact your marriage?<br />
<strong>Blessings,</strong><br />
<img alt="" border="0" class="jimmyPhotoSig" src="https://www.marriagetoday.com/_media/images/email_templates/wmb-new/test-email/jimmy-photo-signatureb.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; height: auto; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; max-width: 290px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" />Why Couples Really Fight</td></tr>
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Michael Madarishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07755096259157904192noreply@blogger.com0