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sabbatical week 5


 

It seems like time is flying by as it the beginning of the 5th week of my sabbatical.  It has been an incredible time of learning and spending time with family.  The last week Julie has been with her parents in Georgia as her dad continues on hospice.  I have been spending time with dad and family in Oklahoma.  I am grateful that I have had this opportunity.  


This last week has brought lots of growth, commitment and even new light for the future.  I finished the book The Unsaved Christian by Dean Inserra and began reading 20/20 Money by Joe Sangl.  I am about to begin a couple other pieces including a coaching series with Blaine Bartel.  I am excited about the learning, growth and inspiration ahead.


Over the last week there are several things that have stuck out to me.  Here is a passage of Scripture that in the last couple days has come alive…


Philippians 3:7-11  NLT

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!


I want to know Jesus in strong and full ways.  That passage is Paul’s confession that “Jesus is enough”.


Here are some take aways from my learning the last week…


Success is tied to obedience . 


There’s nothing you can do to make God stop loving you because there’s nothing you did to make God Start loving you. - Benny Tate 


It’s not about getting through the Bible reading. It is about the Bible getting through to you. - Benny Tate 


It is amazing how the process of dreaming will help you begin to change your behavior in ways that have a direct impact on your money. - Joe Sangl


Here are a several quotes from Pastor Michael Todd of Transformation Church in Tulsa:


The path to the palace many times passes through the pit. 


Don’t quit in the pit.  If you don’t quit, the pit will become your platform. 


Your lowest moment will be the place of your greatest testimony. 


There are some things that God allows because he has a plan for you. 


Many of us would rather be in a good situation without God instead of a bad situation with Him. 


That is all for now.  There are just two weeks left of this sabbatical and actually we have a mission team coming next week.  If you are in our area of Virginia, would you like to serve and help at our new campus?  Let me know.


Have a great week, and again, thank you for your support.

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