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pre-Easter mind dump


Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

This is Easter week with all it’s historical value and celebration within the Christian and his or her faith.  Today I plan to give you a pre-Easter “mind dump” of something running through my brain and life the past few days and in the coming days.

The verse above is one of many that reminds us of the reason that Easter became a reality.  Jesus humbled Himself.  He chose the cross.  He allowed this to happen.  Jesus willing gave His life.  Humility is a very big deal.  Easter is the breath in the lungs of our faith that continues keep us alive before our residence is changed from earth to heaven.

There is so much more to happen around us.  Make choices to use the following days to point yourself and others toward Jesus.

- Lent is a season when people choose to do things differently in observation of the season and their faith.  Some fast from things, but one of the devotions I have been reading encourages the reader to fast toward important Spiritual disciplines.  It has been eye opening.

- Faith is Jesus cannot be replaced by anything else.  He went willingly to the cross if even just for me.

- Forgiveness requires a giver and a receiver.  But forgiveness begins in the person who wants to give it.  Some times the willingness to give it is more important than giving it.

- Stopping to listen to the voice of God is a Spiritual discipline.  He speaks from the Bible, from friends, music, sermons, weather, in dreams, through prayer and in more ways.  Not listening hurts.  Not stopping to listen may require God to make you stop.  Been there.  Learned a lot.

- Spring break is coming.  My wife and kids are excited.  I am excited.

- NASCAR comes to town in less than 2 weeks, and this is one of my favorite ways to serve.  Come see me and our team at the speedway.  Ask me about my “3” and let’s see what God does.

- Loved watching our 2 youngest children listen at a youth conference this past weekend and praying for them to not just hear.

- Many, many people on my mind recently to pray for.  Some are battling addiction, and I hate addiction.

- The desire in me to serve homeless friends continues to burn, and in the last few days I have been excited to see a few of these people take sweet steps forward.

- We are looking for a new ministry assistant at church.  Would you join me in praying for God to bring us the right person?

- Sunday we announced that our most recent giving challenge for our vision fund and new campus was reached.  We raised over $25,000 to specifically put a roof on the office building.  I am grateful for all who gave and know that God will be bringing more our way.

- Having to be in control is not always good.  Humility is always good.

That is enough for today.  About 24 years ago I remember listening to a sermon that included the verse below.  It made me think of Easter and the precious gift Jesus gave us through His life, death and resurrection.  Unless He dies we can’t live, but Jesus really died so we could die.  That is die to self so we could really begin to live.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.


People I am praying for:

Pray for Nancy Wright and her family as her brother Jeff passed away on Sunday.  Steve Mitchell will have a heart procedure late this week; pray for Steve and another friend have heart problems.  Josh Hill is back in the hospital with complications from cancer treatments and asks for our prayers.  Pray for a friend who has court today and ask God to provide the best for their family.

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