tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212242602024-03-13T15:14:04.753-05:00Beef On The GrillThis site is for demonstrating how Jesus Christ is real in our every day lives.Judi Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16947630054463836663noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-85850812435592078192013-12-15T09:05:00.001-06:002013-12-15T09:05:31.622-06:00
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Are you willing to take refuge in
God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Samuel
22:26-31<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"To
the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself
blameless, </i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">to the pure<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> you show yourself pure, but to the
crooked you show yourself shrewd.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You save the humble,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> but your eyes are on the haughty<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> to bring them low.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are my lamp,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a> O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With your help I can advance
against a troop<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a>; with my God I can scale a wall. " As for
God, his way is perfect;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a> the word of the LORD is flawless.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a> <u>He is a shield<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a> for all who take <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">refuge</b> in him.”<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you willing to take refuge in God or
are you still going it alone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s lonely isn’t it?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-76000778765653568092013-11-27T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-27T07:00:03.202-06:00
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thanksgiving
– Having everything yet having nothing at all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Matthew 11:28-30 says <span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;">"Come to me,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</span></i></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span id="mt11-29"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a> for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a> </span><span id="mt11-30"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">For
my yoke is easy and my burden is light."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It has been
another successful but trying harvest in Western Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Renville County, 25% of the sugar beets
had to be left in the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter
the problems, blessings and “good harvest”, it is hard for a farmer to leave
crop in the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of it
wearies us in the midst of plenty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we gather
for Thanksgiving, the table may have the biggest turkey, the best potatoes and
the sweetest pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it is a good
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If for a moment pride fills our
heart at “our” accomplishments, we would do well to pause awhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus came to the world (Advent), went to the
cross and rose from the dead (Easter) so we could give Him our burdens, weary
bodies, pain and nagging fears.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, He says
in Matthew 11:29 that we can “find <u>rest</u> for our souls.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is rest for our souls?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is peace with God through Christ,
assurance of faith in Christ, and hope for tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is all a gift and it is all in His
hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has blessed us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But</span></u></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> even if we have the largest family
gathering in town, the largest turkey and the sweetest pies but if we do not
have internal peace with God and ourselves, or in Jesus’ words, “rest for our
weary souls.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what we
have?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have nothing!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-1177758177605117082013-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:002013-11-21T07:00:00.551-06:00
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God
uses unschooled ordinary men and women</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 4:8-20 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">Then Peter, filled with the Holy
Spirit,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a> </span></span><span class="versenum9"></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span id="ac4-9">9</span></span><span style="color: #333333;">
If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a
cripple<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a> and are asked how he was healed, </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="ac4-10">10</span> then know this, you and all the
people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a>
whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a> that this
man stands before you healed. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="ac4-11">11</span>
He is " 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="a" name="a"></a> '<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="b" name="b"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="6" name="6"></a> <span class="versenum9"></span><span id="ac4-12">12</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other
name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="7" name="7"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="versenum9"></span><u><span id="ac4-13"><strong>13</strong></span></u></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> When they saw
the courage of Peter and John</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="8" name="8"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="9" name="9"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they were astonished and they took
note that these men had been with Jesus.</span></u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="10" name="10"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span class="versenum9"></span><span id="ac4-14">14</span> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>But</u></b> since they could see the man who had been healed
standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="ac4-15"><strong>15</strong></span> So they ordered them to withdraw from
the Sanhedrin</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="11" name="11"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and then conferred together. </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="ac4-16">16</span> "What are we going to do with
these men?"</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="12" name="12"></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> they asked. "<u>Everybody living in
Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="13" name="13"></a> and
we cannot deny it.</u> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum9"><span id="ac4-17">17</span> <u>But
to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn
these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." </u></span><span class="versenum9"><span id="ac4-18">18</span> Then they called them in again and
commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="14" name="14"></a> <span class="versenum9"></span><span id="ac4-19">19</span> But Peter and
John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to
obey you rather than God.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="15" name="15"></a> <span class="versenum9"></span><span id="ac4-20">20</span> For we cannot help speaking<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="16" name="16"></a> about what
we have seen and heard."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was in a local Danube area Bible study
when a man told me I had to witness to a man he knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This incident occurred not long after we
returned back to the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not
know Bubba yet and my friend felt he would be a candidate for the truth and
love of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said to him, “Since
you know him, why don’t you witness to him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He replied, “That’s for you ‘Preacher types.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just an ordinary man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God uses ordinary men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so the world cannot say it is our
superior intellect or training that saves us and if “anything good” comes out
of our life, it is obvious that it is a work of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a working of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you willing to learn about God from a
carpenter from Nazareth with roughhewn hands and simple clothes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you willing to learn from the PhD or PhD’s?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You see, God uses us all to bring Himself
glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But are you out there where you
can be used or are you hiding out in the “I’m ok, I have arrived and I’m not
going out into the world” frame of mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you wonder why I know all about it, it’s because I too like to be
comfortable but we are not called to be comfortable but we are call to be <u>witnesses</u>
to be obedient to the commands of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are called to be hope, salt and light to a hurting world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You know what God does with self-consumed,
inwardly proud Christians?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He renders
them useless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Luke 1:51 – “<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He has performed mighty
deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost
thoughts.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>When we are
scattered, we are ineffective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
why so called churches are dead—because we are proud in our own inmost thoughts
and God has scattered us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Remember the
Tower of Babel.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you been
with Jesus or are you comfortable hiding out in your own private world while
people slide into hell?</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-24710321991577268582013-11-15T14:18:00.000-06:002013-11-15T14:18:14.277-06:00
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The people need a shepherd—<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How a Little Makes a Big Difference<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently I visited with a Christian businessman whom I
had not seen for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him
what concerns he has for the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
replied, “The people are not being shepherded.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pastors are busy; they can’t do everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Elders and Deacons need to step up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We Christians need to step up!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This week I was asked to address the student body and
community at Renville County West School in Renville for their Veteran’s Day
program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spoke before a large
gathering of school children and towns people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The event was sponsored by the RCW School’s Student Council and it was
an excellent program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Later in the day, I attended a program at the large
nursing home facility in Renville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
attendance were eleven World War II and Korean War Veterans, including one
woman veteran who served in Europe during World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a special and very moving
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As I came to the nursing home facility, I met a mother
with a young son, possibly six years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I recognized them from the program at school earlier in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mother said to me, “My son
wants to meet you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bent over and
shook his hand and we visited a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
did not say much but had tears in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His Mom explained that the boy’s grandpa, a Viet Nam veteran, with whom
he was very close, had died of pancreatic cancer within the past six
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The loss of his grandpa has been
hard on this little boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I missed an opportunity that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will look up this mom and her son and tell
them I have room in my life for an adopted grandson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I need an adopted grandson and he needs
a grandpa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vision of this young boy
with tears in his eyes, tears for his dear grandpa, left an aching hole in my
heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I realized I need to be a shepherd among the people,
young and old alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s sad is that
I realized how little effort could make a difference in this boy’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, what we do to the least of these will be
remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let’s quit talking and start being shepherds among all
the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-60436186672739625152013-11-06T10:11:00.000-06:002013-11-06T10:11:54.681-06:00Who is your master?<br />
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In church on Sunday, this question was presented to us. It got me thinking about what masters my life. There are so many things that are competing for our time and attention. I've been convicted and pray that my true Master becomes the master of my entire life. I'm sure each one of you can identify something that is trying to master your life. Here is a small list of things I've thought about.<br />
<br />
Who is your master?<br />
<ul>
<li>me or my calendar</li>
<li>me or my phone</li>
<li>me or my computer</li>
<li>me or television</li>
<li>me or my house</li>
<li>me or my work</li>
<li>me or sports</li>
<li>me or food</li>
</ul>
With God's help, we can overcome being a slave to those things that are trying to master our lives.<br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>2 Peter 2:19b</strong> says: <em><span style="color: blue;">"a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him."</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em><br />
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Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-3541517339846195722013-10-26T12:41:00.001-05:002013-10-26T12:41:50.023-05:00
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<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Simple
Servanthood<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This summer we had the privilege of revisiting a church
in Western Minnesota.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first person
to greet us that morning was David, a gentleman in an electric wheelchair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Ruth came, a bubbly little lady who normally
greets us upon arrival at this church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She welcomed us by name and asked if we’d like a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Ruth went for our coffee, David told us
that he lived close to the church and is so happy that he is able to just “scoot”
over those couple of blocks for services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Ruth bustled back with our coffee, she proceeded to
tell us how she and David met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day
David came into the store where Ruth works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They visited a bit when Ruth noticed that David’s shoes were
untied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked if he would mind if
she tied his shoes and then squatted down to do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As she was getting up, David asked “Where do
you go to church?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that point on,
David has been “wheeling” to Ruth’s church every Sunday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Look how that small gesture on Ruth’s part made a great
impact on David; he recognized that she was different--she was being a servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Help me to be respond to "every opportunity." </span>We do not have to do
any grandiose deeds to proclaim God’s love to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may even just be tying someone's shoes, giving a kind word or a smile
to shows a person that you care—and so does God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colossians
4:5-6</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">Be wise<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> in the way you act toward
outsiders;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a> make the most of every opportunity.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> Let your conversation be
always full of grace,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a> seasoned with salt,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a>
so that you may know how to answer everyone.”</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-51772763182127585632013-10-19T10:42:00.002-05:002013-10-19T10:42:41.056-05:00
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>Afraid<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>2 Corinthian 4:13-18</strong> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">–
“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">It is written: "I
believed; therefore I have spoken."<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> With that
same spirit of faith<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a> we also believe and therefore speak, </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: #333333;"><strong>14</strong></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus
from the dead<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> will also raise us with Jesus<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> and
present us with you in his presence.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a> <span class="versenum9"><strong>15</strong></span>
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more
people may cause thanksgiving<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a> to overflow to the glory of God. <span class="versenum9"><strong>16</strong></span> Therefore we do not lose heart.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a> Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a> we are being renewed<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a> day by day. <span class="versenum9"><strong>17</strong></span> For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a> <span class="versenum9"><strong>18</strong></span> So we fix our eyes not
on what is seen, but on what is unseen.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a> For what is seen is
temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have run into a lot of people who are
afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all fear is bad; fear
motivates us to do certain good things (i.e. fear of the cold motivates us to
chop wood).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says in <strong>Proverbs 1:7</strong> that
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">People are afraid of a lot of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I checked lists on the internet and talked to
people and I believe our overriding fear today is the “fear of living”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the advent of easy and accessible,
abundant minutia and trivial information, we are worried and afraid of
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are raking leaves wearing
protective helmets—come on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you travel anywhere without your cell
phone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did, how would you
feel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did we travel before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not against cell phones but in many ways
it makes us “worry warts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Studies on
the internet tell us it is healthy to eat nuts…wait, wait here is another study
that says don’t eat nuts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We twist in
the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which way is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I eat nuts or shouldn’t I eat
nuts?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry, we’re all nuts so who
cares?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We will have adversity in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are fearful when we have a lot of
decisions to make; sometimes we will make proper decisions, other times not.
Guess what, fear is a normal part of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go forward, get involved, pursue a mighty calling, do a simple act of
love—whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our joys will be mingled
with tears, laughter, and pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t
live a fearful, shriveled life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Zephaniah 3:17</strong> says, “<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The LORD your God is
with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will
quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be alive—dance; God is with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-49308781125160833932013-10-15T17:15:00.000-05:002013-10-15T17:15:00.061-05:00
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Being
a Servant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Matthew 20:24-28 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">When the ten heard about this,
they were indignant<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> with the two brothers. </span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus called them
together and said, <span class="wordsofchrist">"You know that the rulers of
the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over
them.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">Not
so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your
servant,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">just as the Son of
Man<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> did not come to be served, but to serve,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> and to
give his life as a ransom<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a> for many."<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">An old timer told me a story which ended like this, “we
like the idea of being a servant until someone actually treats us as one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow! That is a lot of truth in a few
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pontificate and speculate
about what Christ has said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the
things Jesus says are much harder to put into practice than to just talk about
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we serve other people, we
sometimes are exposed for our true selves; a side of us we don’t want others to
see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In living life, engaging in the lives of other people,
ministering to other people can be messy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This serving can rankle us or flare to life a smoldering resentment or
anger, i.e., like <u>actually being treated as a servant</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much easier to talk about being a
servant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is harder and personally
more challenging to keep our head when we have to clean up our couch after a
drunk vomits on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus, in Revelations (Rev. 3:15-17) spits out
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who does He spit out? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lukewarm ones of us;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the ones who talk about being a servant but
smolder underneath when they have to serve…or when they are treated as a
servant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Forgive me Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-67276967162032816402013-10-08T17:14:00.000-05:002013-10-08T17:14:15.282-05:00
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We
are not called to be comfortable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Corinthians 1:6 – “<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;">If we are
distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> if we are
comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of
the same sufferings we suffer.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inga and her husband
grew up in South America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not know
her life story except that she is the mother of four children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This story was related to me as I was not at
the church meeting where a discussion was held regarding increasing a certain
area of the building because people felt the space was small and made people
feel “uncomfortable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then that
Inga stood up and said, “We are not called to be comfortable.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I heard
the story, Inga’s words cut to the heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are (as Christians) not called to be comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God comforts; we should feel safe and secure,
but not necessarily comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>James 1:2-4 says:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Consider
it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, </i></span></span><span class="versenum9"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>3</strong></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> because you know that the
testing of your faith<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a> develops perseverance.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> <span class="versenum9"><strong>4</strong></span> Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be
mature<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> and complete, not lacking anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 3.75pt 0pt -14.25pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John 10:27-18 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.</span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="wordsofchrist">I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no
one can snatch them out of my hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 11:28 -- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Philippians 4:6 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I think the bottom line for our desire for comfortability is
self-centeredness and complacency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Comfortability coupled with complacency and self-centeredness is a
recipe for a church not on the march but a church that becomes stagnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stagnant water stinks; so do stagnant and
comfortable people and churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15pt; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Recommended reading:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-90051430511907454652013-08-17T14:30:00.001-05:002013-08-17T14:30:37.143-05:00
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
“Old Fashioned” Unchangeable God…<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Immutable God means God cannot change; He is constant,
faithful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God
never changes in His attributes or counsel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God does not grow, improve, or evolve because God is already
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God cannot diminish,
deteriorate, or regress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always has
been and He will forever be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not
change His mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does not make a
promise and then change His vow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
good for us redeemed sinners; good news to us sheep dressed in full armor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">To the world—Change
is progress, change is hip, change means you’re with it; you’re the cutting
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember this is in spite of all
these changes and the progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man’s
problems remain the same—man needs a Savior no matter how sophisticated we
become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need the unchanging God, His
unchanging Son and the unchanging Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because an honest self-appraisal reveals we are lost without this one
and only unchanging God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is
timeless, God’s word is timeless; God’s love for us is eternal = Timeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is never old fashioned; He IS or should I
say I AM.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
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<!--[endif]--></span><br />Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-5897584681095971702013-05-23T10:58:00.000-05:002013-05-23T10:58:00.007-05:00Memorial Day Recognition<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Every year in Danube, MN, there is a Memorial Day Program sponsored by the American Legion Post. At the end of the program, the crowd assembles outside at the flag pole for the reading of the Roll of Honor--names of those veterans who have passed away. We have heard those names each year for many years but what do we know about the individual person? So, for the past several years, specific honorees have been recognized during the program so we can learn something about them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The following is what will be shared this year about Gust Standfuss, a decorated veteran of World War II.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sgt.
Gustave T. Standfuss<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">United
States Army – World War II<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sgt. Gustave T. Standfuss was born on February 27,
1924 on the family farm in Emmett Township, rural Renville County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was born to Theodore and Augusta
(Seehusen) Standfuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gust worked on the home farm before joining the
U.S. Army in World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He served in
the Central European Rhineland Theatre from 1944-1946.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He served as a Combat Infantryman and was
awarded the Bronze Star.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did
Gust serve, but two of his brothers, Elmer and Henry (Hank) also served in
World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gust was one of seven
first cousins that served in WWII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
first cousin, Alice Ballard Meyer, lost her husband in WWII.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After the service Gust continued to farm and
became a part-time police officer in Danube. In 1978 Gust became Police Chief
in Danube and served faithfully until 1991; he was also selected Minnesota
Peace Officer of the Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gust married
Anna Groen in 1950 and they were the parents of ten children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna died in 1996 and Gust later married Jean
Wendinger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a member of the American
Legion for over 50 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Three of Gust’s grandsons served in the Army National
Guard during the Iraq war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim
Standfuss, son of Phil and Nancy Standfuss served in the Continental US; Daniel
Stephens, son of Susan and Brad Stephens, and Adam Standfuss both served in
Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adam, also the son of Philip and
Nancy Standfuss, was severely wounded in Iraq.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gust did not say much about his war
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the Seehusen family
reunions the veterans are acknowledged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One year Gust stood up and began to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told of going into battle with 252 men and
Gust was one of only 19 that survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He shared that during this prolonged battle he turned 21 years old and
grew a mustache that he would never shave off as it would serve as a daily
reminder of his war experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gust was a POW of the Germans for a short time at
the end of the war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and a fellow
soldier were interrogated and then ordered to go to the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word was, if you went to the basement,
you never came back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his
friend prepared to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Gust and his
friend did come back up alive and the German officer in charge handed Gust his
service weapon, a German Lugar pistol, and said “You’re in charge now; the war
is over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Standfuss family is still
in possession that German Lugar pistol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gust’s records did not record his POW status but
information gleaned from the memories of a buddy, Lee Gardner, made reference
to the radio detachment being captured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gust was a member of that group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gust’s daughter, Sue, shared some pages of the
memoir of Lee Gardner, Gust’s buddy from North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a valuable source of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gardner wrote a letter to Gust in March 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quote in part… the letter opens:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think you will
recall us serving together in Company G, 119<sup>th</sup> Infantry of the 30<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division during World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have much admiration and respect for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Standfuss family received some pages of the
memoir from Gardner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gardner would write
in the margins, “Gust, remember this?” or “Gust was here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gust and Gardner were together from France to
the Elbe River.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In closing I will share three paragraphs from Lee
Gardner’s memoirs that were marked Gust’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“On another occasion
during the same battle, Lee’s (and Gust’s) company was cut off by the Nazi’s
and had no food for three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;">nd had no food for three days.me battle,
Lee'orge Lee Gardner'd respect for you."s of a buddy, George Lee Gardner,
made refer</span>orse still, they were forced to wear the same uniforms for
three months and they contacted body lice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the Battle of the Bulge, one of the Army generals took all of us
to a spa in Belgium where the rich and famous from that region came to bathe,” Lee
recalled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was a tremendously
wonderful feeling getting to bathe and change clothes after we hadn’t had the
opportunity to do either for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
bathed in mineral water and I then felt like I was the cleanest guy on
Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Army took our old uniforms,
burned them and gave us new clothes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lee (and Gust) were
some of the famous General George S. Patton’s troops who had to walk 72 miles
in only three days during blizzard conditions to get back behind German forces
after they had made their breakthrough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lee recalls wading through snow up to his waist and got both feet
frostbit in the battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, he
didn’t have any lasting medical problems from that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also remembers how he and one of his Army
buddies went inside an old barn in the area hunting eggs to eat, as food was
scarce, and once again his life was spared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He apparently walked in a slightly different direction than his buddy,
who stepped on a mine in the barn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It
blew both his legs off and he bled to death because he couldn’t get any medical
help.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lee (and Gust) also
helped liberate five Nazi Concentration camps which Lee said was “One of the
absolute worst parts of war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
places were brutal and horrible beyond all means of description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could smell them for many miles before
you got to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were millions
murdered in them in every conceivable manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And many of those who survived were beaten, starved and treated as
inhumanly as you can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so
sad that the human mind can comprehend treating people in such barbaric ways.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
This day we remember with honor the sacrifice of Sgt. Gustave T. Standfuss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a time when our news is filled with ongoing government scandals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four Americans were left to die in Benghazi
and a Government official says, “What difference does it make?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shows our lack of appreciation for our
freedoms; freedoms that were obtained and maintained with the shedding of
blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would all do well to remember
the high price paid not only the sacrifice of the Standfuss family but also of
others who have served and sacrificed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If Eternal vigilance is the price we must pay for
our freedom, it surely is the least we can do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Blessed be the memory of Sgt. Gustave Theodore
Standfuss.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I would like to remind each of you to take time this Memorial Day to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom. ~ Beef</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-48230742436242603522013-05-11T10:03:00.000-05:002013-05-11T10:04:47.368-05:00Be careful when we spout off...<br />
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bildad, Job’s buddy, goes on a rant in Job 25 about the
power of God and the hopelessness of man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Job has been suffering, hurting, irritable and frustrated with his
buddies’ advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Job says in <strong>Job 26:1-4</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> ...</span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">“Then
Job replied: </span></span><span class="versenum9"><strong><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span id="job26-2">2</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">
"How you have helped the powerless!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> How you have saved
the arm that is feeble!<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a></span></span><span id="job26-3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum9">3</span> What advice
you have offered to one without wisdom! And what great insight</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a><span style="color: blue;">
you have displayed!</span> </span><span id="job26-4"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum9">4</span> Who has helped
you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth?</span></span><span style="color: blue;">”<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></span></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Job says (Jerry paraphrased) “by the way Bildad, you may criticize
God but what have you done to help the powerless or feeble? (Job 26:1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If we are prone to spout off about God, we need to ask
ourselves, “What are we doing for the powerless and feeble?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In and of ourselves we lack true wisdom
(verse 3) and have none, if any, insight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then Job launches the broadside in <strong>verse 4</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="color: blue;">"</span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;"><em><span style="color: blue;">Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit
spoke from your mouth?"<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We could not speak,
grumble, utter, whisper, complain, sing, cry, weep, whistle, or yodel unless
God gave us life, breath, and everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><strong>Acts 17:25</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- <span style="color: blue;">“And he is not
served by human hands, as if he needed anything, <u>because he himself gives <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">all</b> men life and breath and everything
else.</u></span></span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before we
spout off about God, we should consider the stupid things we are about to say
or do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And remember, every breath we
take, every beat of our heart is an undeserved gift from God himself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to be careful before we spout off…forgive
us God.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-157205585584912792013-04-15T09:30:00.000-05:002013-04-15T09:30:34.038-05:00<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
The Unprepared Army </h3>
<br />
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6466150454756340729" itemprop="description articleBody">
For about two years, I have been preaching
once a month at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Annandale, Minnesota. We have
been preaching through the first twelve verses of 1st Peter, Chapter 1. It’s
taken us five sermons but that’s all right. Some of you are not surprised since
I’m considered long winded anyway.<br /><br />The first 12 verses remind us of who
we are as Christians; in verse 13 of Chapter One, the message changes. To my
unprofessional eye, Peter states seventeen things in these 12 verses about who
we are in Christ. It’s an impressive list; it should make us dance.<br /><br />In
verse 13 it says, “<em><span style="color: #3366ff;">Therefore, <strong>prepare
your minds for action</strong></span></em>.” Peter writing under the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit calls us to action. What action? How about getting our head
screwed on right before we go to war. How about true worship before
action.<br /><br /><strong>Matthew 16:21-27</strong> says, <em><span style="color: #3366ff;">"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his
disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and <strong>suffer many things</strong>
at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that
<strong>he must be killed</strong> and on the third day <strong>be raised to
life</strong>. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 'Never, Lord!' he
said. <strong>'This shall never happen to you!'</strong> Jesus turned and said
to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; <strong>you do
not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.</strong>' Then Jesus
said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a
man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give
in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's
glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he
has done.'”</span></em><br />In verse 22 Peter says, <em><strong>"Never,
Lord!"</strong></em> he said. "This shall never happen to you!" <strong>Peter
wanted his plan not God’s.</strong> This suffering and being killed stuff was
<strong>not part of Peter’s plan</strong>. Oh, how unprepared and stupid we,
like Peter, can be! Today we want Christ and our plan doesn’t include suffering
and being killed either. No, we like Peter want Christ but we don’t want the
cross.<br /><br />We want the easy faith. Lord, don’t call me to suffer yet in
verses 24-27 Jesus tells us we must deny ourselves and take up our
cross.<br /><br />Today, in the American church, are we prepared for this taking up
the cross and following Christ? We like all the “benefits” as it were, of being
a Christian yet we shrink from the ensuing battle and the sacrifice it will take
to follow Christ. Peter knows what’s going to happen to him. Read <strong>John
21:18-19</strong>: <span style="color: #3366ff;"><em>“I tell you the truth, when
you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you
are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and
lead you where you do not want to go</em>."</span> <em><span style="color: #3366ff;">Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which
Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"</span></em> Tradition
has it; Peter died being crucified upside down.<br /><br />We are not prepared to
fight much less have the basic truths of the faith rooted deeply in our mind.
Peter waited for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was to pray and watch—he
fell asleep. We have fallen asleep; we haven’t prayed; we haven’t watched. We
wanted Christ, but please no cross for me. Brother and sisters, persecution is
coming and <strong>we are an unprepared army</strong>. See 1 Peter 1, we are not
ready to fight. Oh Lord, please forgive our slumber, may we watch, pray and
worship you. May we fully understand your plan. Fill us with your Spirit.
Prepare us for battle, root truth deep in our hearts and minds. Do not leave us
to ourselves. Come Holy Spirit, come. Amen. </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a repost of the October 22, 2009 Blog.</span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-58576491307887503892013-03-03T14:51:00.000-06:002013-03-03T14:51:27.718-06:00
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What
is true manhood?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Characteristics <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of Being a Man<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last time we studied some things that characterized a
true man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are my own ideas that I’ve
learned working with men over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Culture has rooted some of them out of our society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As to wives and girlfriends…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Quote:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A real man
will always carry your bags, open the door, show you respect and remind you how
beautiful you are.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Quotes from Don Juan Matus:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
worst that could happen to us is that we die, and since that is already our
unalterable fate, we are free; those who have lost everything no longer have
anything to fear”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fear God alone; God the Father, God the Son and God the
Holy Spirit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t live life being afraid of other men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t pick or start fights…if you get in a
fight, finish them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The past is forgiven – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 103:1-5</b> says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">Praise the LORD,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> O my soul;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a> all my inmost being, praise his
holy name.</span></span><span style="color: #333333;">
Praise the LORD,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a> O my soul, and forget not<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a>
all his benefits-- </span><span class="versenum9"> who
forgives all your sins<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="6" name="6"></a> and heals<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="7" name="7"></a> all your
diseases, </span><span class="versenum9"> who redeems
your life<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="8" name="8"></a> from the pit and crowns you with love and
compassion,
who satisfies<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="10" name="10"></a> your desires with good things so that your
youth is renewed<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="11" name="11"></a> like the eagle's.</span>”<o:p></o:p></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><span>Today is in God’s hands: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 104:1-5</b> – “<span class="versetext4">Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you
are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.</span> He wraps himself in light as
with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds
his messengers,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="a" name="a"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="13" name="13"></a> flames of fire<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="14" name="14"></a> his servants. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">
He set the earth</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="15" name="15"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> on its foundations;</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="16" name="16"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
it can never be moved.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The future is with
Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hebrews 13:5-6</b> – <span class="versenum9"><strong>“</strong></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what
you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I
forsake you." So we
say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What
can man do to me?"</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach those around you.</span></u><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach
during everyday life not just formal settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Teach all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teach what
you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick the time and the
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just tell is as it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncle Jim and I were not taught a lot of
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to learn on our own; that
can be a costly and painful lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Titus 2:6-8</b>
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.</span></span><span class="versenum9"></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span id="tit2-7">7</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> In everything set them an example by doing what is good.
In your teaching show integrity, seriousness </span><span class="versenum9"><strong><span id="tit2-8">8</span> and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that
those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about
us.</strong></span>”<o:p></o:p></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deuteronomy 6:6-7</b> -- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4">These commandments
that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.</span><span class="versenum9"></span><span id="de6-7">7</span> Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit
at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be a warrior protector </span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- Let
everyone in town know that if anyone messes with your family or friends, you
will hold them accountable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your
statement by actions not just words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joshua
14:10-12</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah 22:16</b>;
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 31:9</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Never stop being a warrior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stand
up for the right thing; defeat what is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A warrior is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A man or a woman
who is a fearless, strong and skilled fighter standing up for what is right.” Sometimes
we must do something we don’t want to do—that’s being a man (adult).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do the right thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be a friend – Be an <u>honest </u>friend.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">_________ down your life for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John
15:12-15</b> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="wordsofchrist">My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. </span><span class="wordsofchrist">Greater
love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.</span><span class="wordsofchrist">You
are my friends if you do what I command. </span><span class="wordsofchrist">I no longer call you servants,
because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called
you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to
you.</span>”</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The greatest friend we have is God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-- <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">James
4:8</b> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Come
near to ________ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he will come near to you. Wash your hands,
you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How do you pick friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span>i.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs
13: 20</span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> --<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He who
walks with the <u>_________ </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>grows
wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span>ii.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep your tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Proverbs
22:24-25</b> – “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do not make friends with
a <u>___________<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>______</u>, do not
associate with one easily angered, </i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="pr22-25"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or you may learn his ways and get yourself
ensnared.</span>”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-text-indent-alt: -9.0pt; text-indent: -1.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span>iii.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 15:33</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> -- <span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do
not be misled: "<u>______<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>______________ corrupts good character."</i></span></span><span class="versetext4"></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How do you treat your friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 6:31</span></b></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">— “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do to others as you
would have them do to you.</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Sound familiar??) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans 12:10</span></b></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> – “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be _______________ to
one another</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Could also use ‘loyal’)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 4:29-32</span></b></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Forgive as _________ forgives.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Importance of friendship</span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 17:17</span></b></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> - ________________ makes friends like brothers. </span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 19:20</span></b></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Listen to _______________ and accept
instruction, and in the end you will be wise.</span></span><span class="versetext4"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Samuel 18:</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1-3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> –
David loved __________________ as a _________________.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In closing, remember God has a purpose for each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm
57:2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his
purpose] for me.</span>”</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-14328887984986902292013-02-03T16:45:00.001-06:002013-02-03T16:45:36.516-06:00Seehusen Family Bible Study #2
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boys
take; men give.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boys criticize; men
create.</i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Boys complain; men solve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boys consume; men serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boys pout; men endure.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John Bryson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Three truths in a man’s life:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have to be intentional</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
must rely on God</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I
need other men<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">From “Stepping Up—A Call
to Courageous Manhood” a video series by Family Life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Answer these questions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A
boy becomes a man when he…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What
is the last courageous thing you have done?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you done any?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To be a man, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>lead</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah
10:23-25</b> from last week<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">I know, O LORD, that a man's life
is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.</span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a><span class="versenum9"></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span id="jer10-24">24</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> Correct me, LORD, but
only with justice-- not in your anger,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a> lest you reduce me to
nothing.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a><span class="versenum9"></span><span id="jer10-25">25</span> Pour out your wrath on the nations<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a>
that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="6" name="6"></a> For they have devoured<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="7" name="7"></a> Jacob; they have
devoured him completely and destroyed his homeland.</span>”<o:p></o:p></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis 2:18 </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– “<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The LORD God said,
"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for
him."<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Women will love a servant
leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A servant leader is a man who
leads those he is in charge of (family, business, military unit) with the <u>best</u>
intentions for those whom he is responsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not his agenda, but a respectful leader that leads quietly with measured
words and by example.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be a protector and provider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Timothy 5:8</b> says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If anyone does not provide for his
relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and
is worse than an unbeliever.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your girlfriend, wife and children must know you will lay down
your life and <u>personal</u> agenda for their benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Peter 3:7 – </span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Husbands,
in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with
respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of
life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Weaker partner’ means of
lesser physical power; it does not mean of lesser worth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Grow up – be stable – measure your words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 18:2 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">– “</i></span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A fool
finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 12:16 </span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A
fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 12:15 </span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The
way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 11:12 </span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A
man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds
his tongue.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Timothy 4:5 </span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<u>But
you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship</u>, do the work of an
evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Titus 1:12-16</span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Even
one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil
brutes, lazy gluttons." </i></span></span><span class="versenum9"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span id="tit1-13"><strong>13</strong></span></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> This testimony is true.
Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith<span class="versenum9"></span><span id="tit1-14">14</span> and will pay no attention to
Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.<span class="versenum9"></span><span id="tit1-15">15</span> To the pure, all things are
pure,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="8" name="8"></a> but to those who are corrupted and do not believe,
nothing is pure.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="9" name="9"></a> In fact, both their minds and consciences
are corrupted.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="10" name="10"></a><span class="versenum9"></span><span id="tit1-16">16</span> They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="11" name="11"></a> They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing
anything good.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t act like a brute (1/2 step above an
animal).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 13:11</span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“When
I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a
child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Timothy 1:7 – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For God
did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”<o:p></o:p></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Culture measures manhood by:*</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Billfold</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ball field (sports arena of any kind)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bedroom</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Number of toys (I added this)</span></span></div>
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">*From “Stepping Up” by Family Life<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Next week</span></b></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> – What is true manhood?</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-49166009188484831802013-01-26T18:23:00.000-06:002013-01-26T18:23:15.237-06:00Seehusen Family Bible Study
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the first in a series of the Seehusen Family
Bible Study.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humbly I ask God to bless
our efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May God bless us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>God</u></span></i><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> is incomprehensible</span></u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. Scripture teaches that we can know
God personally but we cannot completely understand Him. </span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></i><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Acts 17:24-27 - <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"The God who made the world and
everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples
built by hands.25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed
anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.26
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole
earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they
should live.27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out
for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Every beat
of our heart is a gift from God.</span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Great is the Lord - Psalm
145:3-4 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Great is the LORD
and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. <u>One generation
will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.</u></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why we, as men, must do this study
and share it with others.</span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Quiet and Loud - Job 26:12-14
-- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By his power he churned
up the sea; by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces. By his breath the skies
became fair; his hand pierced the gliding serpent<u>. And these are but the
outer fringe of his works;</u> how faint the whisper we hear of him! <u>Who
then can understand the thunder of his power?"</u></span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Isaiah 55:8-9 -- "<em><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD</span></u></em><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.</span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Romans 11:33-34 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Oh, the depth of the riches of the
wisdom and</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="a" name="a"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and
his paths beyond tracing out!34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or
who has been his counselor?"</span></a></span></em><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Heard
of God but do not know or see Him: Job 42:1-6 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 "<u>I know that you
can do all things;</u> no plan of yours can be thwarted.3 [You asked,] 'Who is
this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I
did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.4 ["You said,]
'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'5 <u>My
ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.</u>6 Therefore I despise
myself and repent in dust and ashes."</span></em></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Deuteronomy
29:29--- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The secret things
belong to the LORD our God, <u>but the things revealed belong to us and to our
children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Incomprehensibility without knowability can
lead to 1) despair or 2) apathy. But God is knowable.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2
Peter 1:2-8 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Grace and
peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3 His divine power <u>has given us everything we need for life and godliness
through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.</u> 4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that
through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption
in the world caused by evil desires.5 For this very reason, make every effort
to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="9" name="9"></a>6
and to knowledge, self-control;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="10" name="10"></a> and to self-control,
perseverance;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="11" name="11"></a> and to perseverance, godliness;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="12" name="12"></a>7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
love.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="13" name="13"></a>8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing
measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="14" name="14"></a> in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.</span></em></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My life-changing verse</span></u></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">:
Jeremiah 10:23-24 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I know,
O LORD, that <u>a man's life is not his own</u>; it is not for man to direct
his steps.24 Correct me, LORD, but only with justice-- not in your anger, lest
you reduce me to nothing.</span></em></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jeremiah
9:23-24 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is what the
LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast
of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches,<u>24 but let him who
boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me,</u> that I am the
LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="8" name="8"></a> on
earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.</span></em> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"Power
of God" -- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When
I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I
proclaimed to you the testimony about God.2 For I resolved to know nothing
while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.3 I came to you in
weakness and fear, and with much trembling.4 My message and my preaching were
not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's
power,5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">John
17:1-3 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After Jesus said
this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come.
Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.2For you granted him authority
over all people that he might give eternal life<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a> to all those
you have given him.3Now this is eternal life: <u>that they may know you,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="7" name="7"></a> the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.<o:p></o:p></u></span></em></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Philippians
3:10-11 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I want to know
Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death,11 and so, somehow, to attain to the
resurrection from the dead.</span></em> </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1
John 4:7-8 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dear friends,
let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been
born of God and <u>knows God</u>.8 Whoever does not love <u>does not know God</u>,
because God is love.</span></em></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bookmark: a;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">John
20:30-31 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Jesus did many
other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded
in this book.31 But these are written that you may</span></em></span></span><em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> believe<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a> that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his
name.</span></em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Acts 17:24-27 -- <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"The God who made the world and
everything in it<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a> is the Lord of heaven and earth<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a> and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by
human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life
and breath and everything else.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a>26 From one man he made every
nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the
times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so
that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he
is not far from each one of us.</span></em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="6" name="6"></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-53625632529409275412013-01-18T10:31:00.000-06:002013-01-18T10:31:13.164-06:00Knowing God or "Dead Orthodoxy"<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Knowledge of God is the goal of theology.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Knowledge without devotion is cold, dead orthodoxy. Devotion without knowledge is irrational instability. But true knowledge of God includes understanding everything from His perspective. Theology is learning to think God's thoughts after His. It is to learn what God loves and hates, and to see, hear, think, and act the way He does. Knowing how God thinks is the first step in becoming godly."<br />
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: right;">
(Taken from "Biblical Doctrine: An Overview" in the ESV Study Bible)</div>
<br />
What is "dead orthodoxy"?<br />
<ol>
<li>Correct doctrine without being born again.</li>
<li>Correct doctrine without practical outworking or living a godly life</li>
<li>Correct doctrine without zeal; lack of zeal for the Word or souls. Zeal is ardent, active interest.</li>
<li>Lack of emotional experience in worship (not manufactured)</li>
<li>Formalism = rigidness in worship</li>
</ol>
<br />
<br />
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-48476178884768759332012-12-24T12:13:00.000-06:002012-12-24T12:13:24.427-06:00It’s Christmas – so what’s the big deal?
<br />
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Time
and again the church has proved a willing accomplice to its own captivity, in
the new covenant as well as the old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Observing this tendency in his day, Martin Luther wrote ‘<u>On the
Babylonian Captivity of the Church</u>,’ in which he argues that the church
desperately needs to be liberated by its Lord from bondage to the very things
it regards as benign or even hopeful.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is
the word <u>captivity</u> too strong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, there is nothing like an Office of Religious Affairs
controlling the church’s discourse in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In his book <u>‘Amusing Ourselves to Death</u>,’ Jewish writer Neil
Postman (communications professor at New York University) points out the
difference between two apocalyptic scenarios.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>George Orwell’s <u>1984</u> predicts a society ruled by ‘Big Brother’—a
totalitarian regime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congratulating ourselves
on having dodged Orwell’s prophecy, at least in America, we have forgotten
Aldous Huxley’s slightly older ‘Brave New World,’ with a quite different
scenario.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Orwell predicts an
externally imposed oppression, Huxley imagines a self-imposed captivity:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“As
he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, <u>to adore the
technologies that undo their capacities to think</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Orwell feared were those who would ban
books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Huxley feared was that there
would be no reason to ban a book for there would be no one who wanted to read
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orwell feared those who would
deprive us of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huxley feared
those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and
egoism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orwell feared that the truth
would be concealed from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huxley
feared the truth would be drowned is a sea of irrelevance. Orwell feared we
would become a captive culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huxley
feared we would become a trivial culture, preoccupied with some equivalent of
the feelies, the orgy porgy, and the centrifugal bumblepuppy.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If
we are slaves, it is not to an external oppressor but to our own trivial
desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are willing captives—until
God appears on the scene and utters his solemn command to the powers and
principalities we have enthroned: ‘Let my people go!’”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Quoted
in part from “Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American
Church” by Michael Horton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pages 238-239
by Baker Books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Michael Horton’s definition
of the American Church today carries some powerful words and concepts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quote in part: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“If we are slaves, it is not to an external oppressor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Jesus
came “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that we might have life and have it
more abundantly” </i>not a life burdened with chasing after trivial
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet an honest appraisal of our
lives reveals a constant barrage of the trivial, the useless, and the
unsatisfying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quoting Horton, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We are willing captives…to the powers and
principalities we have enthroned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Ephesians
6:12 says, “<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;">For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> but against the rulers, against
the authorities,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a> against the powers<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> of this dark
world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let my people go” Horton writes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus came to save His people from their sin
(Matthew 1:21 – “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name
Jesus,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a> because he will save his people from their sins”.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus came to serve, not to be served. Matthew 20:28 says: “</span></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many</span></i></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">."</span></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the midst, the Christ child came to “set the captives free”
(Isaiah 61:1-2 says, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The Spirit of the
Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> to the poor.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a> He has sent me to bind up<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a>
the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a> for the <u>captives</u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a> and release from darkness for the prisoners, </i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">to proclaim the year of
the LORD's favor<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a> and the day of vengeance<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a> of our
God, <u>to comfort<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a> all who mourn</u>,”</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The manger is
empty; the cross is empty; the tomb is empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus sits at God’s right side interceding for us, waiting for the
command from the Father—“Go get my kids”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus will then rise and come to earth a second time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, good news for us pilgrims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Come quickly Lord Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come again – as it says in Revelation 22:20<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">—</i></span></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He who testifies to these things says, </span></i></span><span class="wordsofchrist"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Yes, I am coming soon.’</span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All this brothers and sisters <u>is</u> the
big deal!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-81818779463229459622012-12-20T20:54:00.000-06:002012-12-20T20:54:00.434-06:00The Visited Blue Ball<br />
<div>
<br />
I remember when the first astronaut came around the back side of the moon and saw earth (that perfect blue white ball, suspended on nothing, hanging in space) and in stunned awe the astronaut said, “<em>In the beginning God</em>…”<br />
<br />
I can’t really imagine God sitting somewhere beyond the universe some 2,000 years ago looking at His footstool, the earth, and saying, “Today is the day I’m going to send my one and only Son, Jesus to go to earth , to become a microscopic ovum, to be born of a virgin born in a barn, to go and redeem fallen man.”<br />
<br />
Have you ever contemplated if no one sinned until now and we were living in perfect peace, and then old Adam and Eve would decide to do some very serious apple crunching. Sin then comes into the world and God would decide to set up a committee to ask advice from us on how to redeem fallen man (He won’t do that but I can speculate). What would you come up with? We would come up with man-made religion. We’d crawl on our belly, into the presence of God and propose some plan of “working off” our sin. We would be in the deal-cutting business. We’d hope we’d be good enough to obtain salvation. We would propose works based salvation. That is the rest of the world’s religions…hoping we’ve been good enough, and that God may in His mercy allow us to live. Who would even dare come up with the idea of God sending His one and only Son to come to earth as an ovum, be born in a barn, suffer taunts of His suspect parentage (Psalm 69), be tempted by the devil himself, be tempted in every way, yet be without sin, be both man and God, and when preparing for the cross, feel so much pressure He would sweat blood in the garden of Gethsemane. We would convict Him on no evidence, have a sham trial, and murder Him on a cross, the most torturous of death, with the idea that He would forgive your sin and mine. Then by God’s power alone, God would raise Him from the dead—victorious over sin and death…Oh, who would dare dream this up, much less present it to a Holy God and awesome God? No one—no one—no one would dare do it; it’s God’s plan alone. A gift to us; undeserved; we can’t comprehend the majesty, the greatness of it! But it is God’s plan…<br />
<br />
Remember this Christmas, the manager is empty, the cross is empty, the tomb is empty…In these days we do not have to take God to a hurting world, and He is already there. Let’s get up and go see what He is doing!<br />
<br />
On this Christmas weekend, old Jer cannot bring anymore light on this subject because Jesus is the Light, the God of the universe among man. Immanuel, God with us. What a story? What a Gift! May we never take it lightly. Amen<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(This blog is reposted from December 22, 2006)</span><br />
<br /></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-38673907133820703402012-12-15T20:44:00.000-06:002012-12-15T20:44:25.559-06:00Christmas Dinner<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8654200248731133267" itemprop="description articleBody">
I would like to share the following which is
written by Ravi Zacharias from his book, <em>Jesus Among Other Gods</em>,
(Nashville, Word Publishing 2000), 44-46.<br /><br />“Some years ago, we were
spending Christmas in the home of my wife’s parents. It was not a happy day in
the household. Much had gone wrong during the preceding weeks, and a weight of
sadness hung over the home. Yet, in the midst of all that, my mother-in-law kept
her routine habit of asking people who would likely have no place to go at
Christmas to share Christmas dinner with us.<br /><br />“That year she invited a man
who was, by everyone’s estimation, somewhat of an odd person, quite eccentric in
his demeanor. Not much was known about him at the church except that he came
regularly, sat alone, and left without much conversation. He obviously lived
alone and was quite a sorry-looking, solitary figure. He was our Christmas
guest.<br /><br />“Because of other happenings in the house, not the least of which
was that one daughter was taken to the hospital for the birth of her first
child, everything was confusion. All our emotions were on edge. It fell upon me,
in turn, to entertain this gentleman. I must confess that I did not appreciate
it. Owing to a heavy life of travel year-round, I have jealously guarded my
Christmases to be with my family. This was not going to be such a privilege, and
I was not happy. As I sat in the living room, entertaining him while others were
busy, I thought to myself, This is going to go down as one of the most miserable
Christmases of my life.<br /><br />“But somehow we got through the evening. He
evidently loved the meal, the fire crackling in the background, the snow
outside, the Christmas carols playing, and a rather weighty theological
discussion in which he and I were engaged—at his instigation, I might add. He
was a very well-read man and, as I found out, loved to grapple with heavy
theological themes. I do, too, but frankly, not during an evening that has been
set aside to enjoy life’s quite moments, not someone’s polemical
mind.<br /><br />“At the end of the night when he bade us all good-bye, he reached
out and took the hand of each of us, one by one, and said, “Thank you for the
best Christmas of my life. I will never forget it.” He walked out into the dark,
snowy night, back into his solitary existence.”<br /><br />“My heart sank in
self-indictment at those tender words of his. I had to draw on every nerve in my
being to keep from breaking down with tears. Just a few short years later,
relatively young, and therefore to our surprise, he passed away. I have relived
that Christmas many times in my memory.<br /><br /><strong>“The Lord taught me a
lesson. The primary purpose of a home is to reflect and to distribute the love
of Christ. Anything that usurps that is idolatrous. Having been lifted beyond
the prejudice of culture, Jesus repositioned for the disciples the place of
wealth. So staggering was the impact that many of them in the years to come
would leave their own homes to go to distant parts of the world in order to
proclaim the heaven-sent message that redefined their earthly homes. Eleven of
them paid for that message with their lives.</strong><br /><br />“The first time I
walked through the noisy streets of Bethlehem and endured its smells, I gained a
whole new sense of the difference between our Christmas carols, glamorizing the
sweetness of the “little town of Bethlehem,” and the harsh reality of God
becoming flesh and dwelling among us. Ah! But it is not a part of the wonder of
God’s disclosure of reality that He point to what we live with to show us what
true living is meant to be? <br /><br />“For the disciples, Jesus’ answer to their
simple question—“Where do You live?”—was to lift them beyond race and culture,
beyond wealth and power, beyond time and distance to make them true citizens of
the world, informed by the world to come. He brought them into a dramatically
different way of living and thinking from the one to which they were accustomed.
<strong>He showed them the inclusiveness of His love for the whole world. But
implicit in that was the exclusivity of His truth, for which they were willing
to give their lives. We have reversed Jesus’ order. We have made truth relative
and culture supreme and have been left with a world in which wickedness
reigns.</strong><br /><br />“Jesus brought truth to light and a different world to
His message. In Him my heart finds its true home.<br /><br />“G. K. Chesterton has
captured the wonder in how Jesus’ earthly address changes ours, as only he can
do.<br /><br /><em>"A child in a foul stable,<br />Where the beasts feed and
foam;<br />Only where He was homeless<br />Are you and I at home;<br />We have hands
that fashion and heads that know,<br />But our hearts we lost—how long ago!<br />In
a place no chart nor ship can show<br />Under the sky’s dome.<br />To an open house
in the evening<br />Home shall men come,<br />To an older place than Eden<br />And a
taller town than Rome.<br />To the end of the way of the wandering star,<br />To the
things that cannot be and that are,<br />To the place where God was
homeless<br />And all men are at home."</em><br /><br />G.K. Chesterton, “The House of
Christmas,” from Robert Knille, ed., As I Was Saying (Grand Rapids: William B.
Erdmans, 1985), 304-5.<br /><br />“Where does Jesus live? Come to Christ and see
what it means to live.”<br /><br />From the Seehusen's to you--God bless you and
your family this Advent Season.<br /><br />Jesus, welcome to our world. May we follow
where you lead us. May we use all our gifts and talents to Your glory. May we go
to a hurting world even when we want to come home and be cozy and comfortable.
Forgive us. Amen. Amen </div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">(This blog is reposted from the December 24, 2009 Beef on the Grill Blog)</span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-8824602074321465012012-12-08T17:13:00.002-06:002012-12-08T17:20:20.482-06:00Picking up some church trash<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong>2
Corinthians 6:3-11</strong></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">“Don't
put it off; don't frustrate God's work by showing up late, throwing a question
mark over everything we're doing. <span id="2co6-4"><strong>4</strong></span> Our work as God's servants gets validated - or not - in the
details. People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly .
. . in hard times, tough times, bad times;</span> <strong><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-5">5</span> when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard,
working late, working without eating; </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-6">6</span> with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness,
holiness, and honest love; </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-7">7</span>
when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're
doing our best setting things right; </span></span><span class="versenum9"><span style="color: blue;"><span id="2co6-8">8</span> when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and
honored; true to our word, though distrusted;</span> </span><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-9">9</span> ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically
alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but
refusing to die; </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-10">10</span>
immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet
enriching many; having nothing, having it all. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co6-11">11</span> Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long
for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life.”</span></span></strong></span></em></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A church affiliated non-profit agency was forced out of
business last Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About three months
ago when it became evident that they were not getting any more funding, the
first thing cut was the bag lunches for the homeless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon arriving early Monday morning, I found they had
dragged the remnants of the last management party to the dumpster but did not
throw it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the weekend, the coons
and squirrels had a party of their own eating the leftovers of the last party
by the agency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Expensive coffee,
expensive bagels (I am avoiding brand names), unfinished very nice sandwiches
partially eaten either by humans or the animals of the night made up the trash.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the last five years the arrogance of the people at
this agency has been a topic of debate among other tenants of the
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people were smug, arrogant,
cold, and distant and had open disdain for those they were to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People felt the agency’s demise was well
deserved but…as a para-church organization, their example can poison non-believer’s
hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In away, they represented all
Christians—us, if we share the name Christian.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we picked up the trash, a bitter young man (rightly
so) pointed out their hypocrisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing
down the bag lunch ministry (white bread, peanut butter and apple) while they
ate and wasted much expensive food.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I now understand why Jesus wants to spit out the lukewarm
ones of us; we make Jesus want to puke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Any blog or sermon that points out our own hypocrisy is not well
received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently a well-established professional in a medium size
rural Minnesota town (an elder in the church) told me that if we confront ourselves,
no one will listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said to me, “You’re
just another Jeremiah no one will listen to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We need to do some serious soul searching both personally and
collectively as Christians and as the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The down and out of our communities do not seek us out because we do not
rub shoulders with them…we don’t want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, we can eat our expensive bagels, drink our expensive coffee,
enjoying our personal Christian ghetto but looking away with disdain when,
after a night of overdrinking, they mess their pants. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We are told to “feed the sheep” – all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeding sheep is sometimes a downright
smelly, dirty business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bottom line
is that the lukewarm ones of us don’t want to be bothered or to get dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we smugly drink and eat on in holiday
merriment while our brothers and sisters slide into hell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember the words of 2 Corinthians 6:3-11 at the
beginning of this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive me; help
us Oh Lord… send us a Jeremiah…change our hearts Oh God.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Two quotes from the <u>White Horse Inn Blog Spot:</u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary
act.”</i></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">George
Orwell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Reality
is that which, when you stop believing it, doesn’t go away”</span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Philip
K. Dick<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-21254020280681581742012-12-01T15:23:00.000-06:002012-12-01T15:23:09.646-06:00All the devil has to offer us is…a fallen world
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2
Corinthians 1:3-11</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> - <span class="versetext4"><span style="color: #333333;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Praise be to the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,</span></em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="1" name="1"></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, </span></em></span></span></span><span><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span id="2co1-4"><strong>4</strong></span></span> who comforts us</span></em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="2" name="2"></a><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have
received from God. </span></em></span><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-5">5</span> <u>For
just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="3" name="3"></a>
so also through Christ our comfort overflows</u>. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-6">6</span> If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="4" name="4"></a> if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in
you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-7">7</span> And our hope for you is firm, because
we know that just as you <u>share in our sufferings</u>,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="5" name="5"></a> so
also you share in our comfort. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-8">8</span>
<u>We do not want you to be uninformed,</u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="6" name="6"></a> brothers, about
the hardships we suffered<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="7" name="7"></a> in the province of Asia.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="8" name="8"></a> We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so
that we despaired even of life. </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-9">9</span>
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we
might not rely on ourselves but on God,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="9" name="9"></a> who raises the dead.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="10" name="10"></a><span class="versenum9"></span><span id="2co1-10">10</span> He
has delivered us from such a deadly peril,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="11" name="11"></a> and he will
deliver us. On him we have set our hope<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="12" name="12"></a> that he will
continue to deliver us, </span><span class="versenum9"><span id="2co1-11">11</span>
as you help us by your prayers.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="13" name="13"></a> Then many will give thanks<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="14" name="14"></a> on our<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" id="a" name="a"></a> behalf for the gracious favor
granted us in answer to the prayers of many.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In meeting with Christians during the last
month, many are despondent, hurting and doubting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are deeply concerned for the church
and for our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are reeling and
afraid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What is God doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why all the acrimony in the country?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we truly come to the realization that as
a country, we are deeply divided and broke?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have deep divides in our communities between the haves and the have not’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier we have talked about impending doom
for America; we now realize that the hoof beats are no longer in the distance
but are by the front doors of our homes, businesses and sadly, our churches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What are we doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are afraid; we are wringing our hands;
sometimes I am too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What should we
do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray and remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for revival, not for America but for the
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for revival; personal revival.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh Lord, start with us…with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgive me, forgive us…start your work Lord;
start with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, the church
will then take care of itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We are to pray and remember what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s plans and purposes are never
thwarted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His plan will be fulfilled and
come to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the first Advent—we
celebrate this at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should
remember the promise of His Second Coming, the Second Advent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is Jesus going to return?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because He said He would come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, we huddle in doubt and fear,
wring our hands, and doubt some more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The devil loves all the hand wringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember this is the eternal battle between good and evil; if we are in
Christ, we win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The days ahead for
Christians and America will be hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, we may very well suffer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Temptation
will continue to buffet our souls but remember this, <u>all the devil can offer
us is a fallen world</u>—nothing more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When Jesus came, the angels told the
sheepherders “Don’t be afraid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To all
of us, sheep and sheepherders alike don’t be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, the devil has <u>nothing</u> to offer us,
nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pray for personal revival; it is our only
hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May the Spirit move us to life—true
life found only in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Now is the
time to do our best work in the worst times.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i>Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-65854055369918558242012-11-21T23:23:00.000-06:002012-11-21T23:23:04.583-06:00Thanksgiving Morning
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“<span class="versetext4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;">On this mountain the LORD Almighty will
prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-- the best
of meats and the finest of wines.</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;"></span><span id="isa25-7"> On this mountain
he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all
nations; </span><span id="isa25-8">he will swallow up death forever. The
Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the
disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.</span><span id="isa25-9"> In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted
in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice
and be glad in his salvation."</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 25:6-9</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday morning the sunrise was beautiful as I drove
along Lake Minnetonka heading downtown to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought about how later in the day I was going to attend Lucy Melquist’s
funeral in Cokato.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her son Duane and family
were our neighbors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A tenant stops by my office with a problem easily solved
but she seems to be angry all the time, not at me but angry at the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men working on our new building shout as they
are trying to wrangle sheet rock through the third floor window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The homeless woman Marie walks by and
smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know each other; she only
asks for help when she needs it, or so she tells me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike stops by to finish winterizing the
sprinkler system on our building…life moves on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have work and things to look forward to, projects to
do, air to breathe, sermons to preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
laugh at Andy’s crazy e-mails; Katie tries to take a picture of her cat in a
Christmas costume—he doesn’t cooperate but the picture turns out well—we laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Family and friends are coming for Thanksgiving, young and
old, happy and sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have much to be
thankful for—great crops and prices in a year where most everyone else was
dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our new business venture moves
ahead with many problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s good,
otherwise we wouldn’t have anything to do and we’d be complaining.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tyler’s football team made it to the dome, but lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah’s play was a resounding success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nephew Paul was home from Corpus Christie; we
said hi and hugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t get much
time to say much beyond “I love you” before old friends pushed in for
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s the way life is, bits and pieces, life, death, small
victories, accomplishments treasured but quickly forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funerals attended, memories pushed to the
surface, tears shed, and hope springs eternal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sprinklers get fixed, the angry woman smiles and the homeless woman
walks on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She may be happiest of all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This Thanksgiving may we be thankful for <u>all</u>
things; blessings and trials, the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life
and death the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Victories won and
battles lost; thankful all the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Value
each smile; appreciate each hug, it may be the last.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The God we serve is Lord of <u>all</u> things not just the
“good” things as we, with limited judgment, judge them to be…let’s be thankful
for just one more day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Share the tears,
laugh out loud, dance for joy, sing as if no one is listening (they probably
aren’t any way). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our God is Holy and
Good beyond measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-40639393467490440572012-11-15T10:41:00.004-06:002012-11-15T10:41:38.791-06:00In light of these times<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">"Tragedy comes when principles change."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A quote from "Violets for Mr. B" by Margaret Jensen</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21224260.post-45018648739406535222012-11-07T12:30:00.001-06:002012-11-07T12:30:45.695-06:00Collected thoughts on the morning after the election<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Isaiah 46:8-13</strong> - <em>"Remember</em></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-1" id="1" title="S Isa 44:21"></a></sup><em><span style="font-size: large;"> this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.<span class="versetext" id="isa46-9" style="display: inline;"> Remember the former things,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-3" id="3" title="S Isa 41:22"></a></sup> those of long ago;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-4" id="4" title="S Dt 32:7"></a></sup> I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.</span><span class="versetext" id="isa46-10" style="display: inline;"> I make known the end from the beginning,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-6" id="6" title="S Isa 41:4"></a></sup> from ancient times,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-7" id="7" title="S Isa 45:21"></a></sup> what is still to come.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-8" id="8" title="S Isa 41:22"></a></sup> I say: My purpose will stand,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-9" id="9" title="S Pr 19:21; S Isa 7:7,9; S 44:26; Ac 5:39; Eph 1:11"></a></sup> and I will do all that I please. </span><span class="versetext" id="isa46-11" style="display: inline;"> From the east I summon<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-10" id="10" title="S Jdg 4:10; S Ezr 1:2"></a></sup> a bird of prey;<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-11" id="11" title="S Isa 8:8"></a></sup> from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-12" id="12" title="S Isa 25:1"></a></sup> that will I do.</span><span class="versetext" id="isa46-12" style="display: inline;"> Listen<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-14" id="14" title="S ver 3"></a></sup> to me, you stubborn-hearted,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-15" id="15" title="S Ex 32:9; S Isa 9:9"></a></sup> you who are far from righteousness.</span><span class="versetext" id="isa46-13" style="display: inline;"> I am bringing my righteousness<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-17" id="17" title="S Isa 1:26; S 45:8; Ro 3:21"></a></sup> near, it is not far away; and my salvation<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-18" id="18" title="S Ps 85:9"></a></sup> will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="19"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-19" id="19" title="S Ps 74:2; Joel 2:32"></a></sup> my splendor<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="20"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/isaiah/passage.aspx?q=isaiah+46:8-13#cr-descriptionAnchor-20" id="20" title="S Isa 44:23"></a></sup> to Israel."</span></span></em><br />
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<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Revelation 19:11-16 - </strong><em>"I saw heaven standing open</em></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-1" id="1" title="S Mt 3:16"></a></sup><span style="font-size: large;"><em> and there before me was a white horse, whose rider</em></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-2" id="2" title="ver 19,21; Rev 6:2"></a></sup><span style="font-size: large;"><em> is called Faithful and True.</em></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-3" id="3" title="Rev 3:14"></a></sup><span style="font-size: large;"><em> With justice he judges and makes war.<span class="versetext" id="re19-12" style="display: inline;"> His eyes are like blazing fire,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-5" id="5" title="S Rev 1:14"></a></sup> and on his head are many crowns.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-6" id="6" title="Rev 6:2; 12:3"></a></sup> He has a name written on him<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-7" id="7" title="ver 16"></a></sup> that no one knows but he himself.</span><span class="versetext" id="re19-13" style="display: inline;"> He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-9" id="9" title="Isa 63:2,3"></a></sup> and his name is the Word of God.</span><span class="versetext" id="re19-14" style="display: inline;"> The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-11" id="11" title="ver 8"></a></sup> white<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-12" id="12" title="S Rev 3:4"></a></sup> and clean. </span><span class="versetext" id="re19-15" style="display: inline;">Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="13"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-13" id="13" title="ver 21; S Rev 1:16"></a></sup> with which to strike down<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="14"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-14" id="14" title="Isa 11:4; 2Th 2:8"></a></sup> the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a><sup class="footnote" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#fn-descriptionAnchor-a" id="a" title="Psalm 2:9"></a></sup><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="15"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-15" id="15" title="Ps 2:9; Rev 2:27; 12:5"></a></sup> He treads the winepress<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="16"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-16" id="16" title="S Rev 14:20"></a></sup> of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. </span><span class="versetext" id="re19-16" style="display: inline;">On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="17"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-17" id="17" title="ver 12"></a></sup> KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="18"></a><sup class="crossref" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/revelation/passage.aspx?q=revelation+19:11-16#cr-descriptionAnchor-18" id="18" title="S 1TI 6:15; REV 17:14"></a></sup></span></em></span></span>Jerry Seehusenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06449300616349674989noreply@blogger.com1