tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34520369614050410922024-02-20T04:14:45.789-06:00Moving Forward...Brian CrainBrian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452036961405041092.post-70834370441044917362011-06-15T11:08:00.000-05:002011-06-15T11:08:54.277-05:00Preaching: 1 Difference Maker made famous by Jesus, Paul, and StephenI love preaching, teaching, and communicating. Chances are, you do too.<br />
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And I have noticed this about preaching; sometimes people preach hard and it connects.. You hear God Word's preached with passion, accuracy, and humility and wow... God really uses the speaker as a vessel.<br />
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And sometimes people preach hard and they come across a little jerk-ish.. A little hypocritical. A little like the preacher had it together and we (the audience) needed to get up to his level asap..<br />
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So...Is there anyway we ensure we connect more and come across jerk-ish less?<br />
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Yesterday, God reminded me of a simple principle that enables us to have a better chance of connecting when we preach God's Word.<br />
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"We have to <em><strong>genuinely LOVE</strong></em> our audience."<br />
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Not like. <em><strong>LOVE. </strong></em><br />
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This sounds like a no-brainer principle, but stay with me for just a minute and my prayer is that God reminds you of what He reminded me of yesterday..<br />
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Jesus, Paul, and Stephen. What do they have in common?<br />
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1) They preached HARD..<br />
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Jesus- need I illustrate?<br />
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Paul- boldly preached the Word and didn't pull his punches..<br />
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Stephen- told the Jewish council that you guys just crucified the Messiah and you missed it just like your ancestors did when they killed the prophets..<br />
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These guys preached HARD..<br />
These guys connected.<br />
But these guys <strong><em>LOVED</em></strong> the people they were preaching to..<br />
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Jesus, on the cross, asked God to "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." He says this speaking of the people who arrested him, charged him on bogus crimes, and ultimately killed him. (Luke 23:34)<br />
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He <em><strong>LOVED </strong></em>them.<br />
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Paul- says in Romans 9, that if it were possible for him to go to hell for some of his jewish brothers (even though he knew it wasn't possible) so that they might receive Christ, he would do it..<br />
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He <em><strong>LOVED </strong></em>them.<br />
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Stephen while he is being killed by the people who didn't take kindly to his message, prayed "God do not hold this sin against them." (Acts 7:60)<br />
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He <em><strong>LOVED</strong></em> them.<br />
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They didn't kind of like the audience but loved to hear themselves speak..<br />
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They <strong>l</strong><em><strong>oved</strong></em> their audience and they preached hard.<br />
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And God used them and their ministries is AMAZING ways..<br />
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So as we teach, preach, speak, communicate (whatever you want to call it), this week;<br />
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May we preach the Word accurately and passionately..<br />
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And may we teach with <em><strong>THIS KIND OF LOVE </strong></em>for our audience..<br />
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Thankful God reminded me of this yesterday,<br />
<br />
Brian.Brian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452036961405041092.post-17199260833283405862011-06-09T15:19:00.000-05:002011-06-09T15:19:00.249-05:00Make a Ripple...God reminded me of a conversation today I had with my youth minister, Ben, when I was a student. We both listened to John Reuben occasionally as nerdy youth ministry fans do and Reuben once poetically said something to the effect of---<br />
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"I'm not trying to change it all, I just want to make a ripple".<br />
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And I remember Ben telling me that ALL he wanted to do was"<i><b>make a ripple."</b></i><br />
To be used of God mightily for his glory..<br />
That's<b> all </b>he wanted..<br />
<br />
And I remember thinking at first; selfishly I want more that that...<br />
But then I thought about that much later as Ben always caught on to things quicker than I did, and frankly still does. And I realized what a worthy goal: <b><i>To make a ripple. </i></b><br />
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To be used of God in whatever way He sees fit.. THAT is a worthy life goal.<br />
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<i><b>Not as concerned with the results; but the process. </b></i><br />
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God use me however you want to for YOUR glory.<br />
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"God, just let me make a <b><i>ripple." </i></b><br />
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Well today, that fire has been re-lit in my belly. I have also spent some time pondering on people who have poured into me and have helped shape me into the man I've become.<br />
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I thought of 5 people:<br />
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1 & 2: My parents.<br />
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3. Ben Hackler<br />
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4. Mark Robinson<br />
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5. Steve Speer.<br />
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These people have at least made a ripple, I know because God has used them over and over again in MY life.<br />
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So, my challenge for you is this:<br />
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<i><b>1) Make it a goal of yours to make a ripple. </b></i><br />
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To be used of God in whatever way He sees fit. All of you for All of Him.. To be Ben, Mark, or Steve to someone else.. Ask God to use you in that way today even if you feel incapable..<br />
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Ask God to use you to make a ripple..<br />
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I know it makes a difference.. That its worth it. The sacrifice. The intentional discipleship..<br />
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Because I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for these 5 ripple makers.<br />
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<span class=" fbUnderline"><b>2) encourage people today that have been used of God mightily in YOUR life.. </b></span><br />
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Sent them a text, or message, or take em out to coffee next week. Something. Let em know that God has used them in your life.. It may be just what they need today...<br />
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<i>To know that they have at least made a ripple for His glory. </i><br />
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<i><b> So.... Who has God used mightily in YOUR life?</b></i>Brian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452036961405041092.post-34785371533671449252011-05-25T10:12:00.000-05:002011-05-25T10:12:52.312-05:00What Jesus said about Happiness... Pt.1The next couple of weeks I want to write about one word; <b>happiness</b>. <br />
<br />
<br />
But let me tell you what kind of happiness I am referring to.<br />
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True Happiness. Happiness that doesn't depend of things going right for us. I'm not referring to the happiness that comes with winning a game and leaves after losing one.<br />
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I mean the real deal. <br />
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We all seek it. <br />
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Let me rephrase that; we all <i>desperately seek happiness</i>.<br />
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And let me tell you something some people won't; <i><b>Jesus wants you to find it.</b> </i><br />
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Chances are we've all probably tried many things hoping they would bring us this elusive happiness. <br />
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- relationships (dating, marriage, parenthood, friendships, etc), success, popularity, music, the party life, etc.<br />
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And sometimes it seemed like we found it. We were happy!<br />
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<b>But then it fled</b>. It rolled out. And we were left... well <i>unhappy</i>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Unless your views of happiness are the same as those Jesus holds. </i></div><br />
Because Jesus weighed in on this age old debate about 2,000 years ago.<br />
Since Jesus wrote this, there have been literally tens of thousands of books about how to be happy.<br />
But Jesus nailed it... because.. well He is Jesus!<br />
<br />
So what did Jesus say about happiness? His happiness message begins in Matthew 5:1.<br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23236">1</sup> Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23237">2</sup> and he began to teach them. </i><br />
<i>He said: </i><br />
<i> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23238">3</sup> “Blessed are the poor in spirit,</span></i> <br />
<i> <span class="woj">for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. </span></i><br />
<i><span class="woj"> </span><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23239">4</sup> Blessed are those who mourn,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will be comforted.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23240">5</sup> Blessed are the meek,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will inherit the earth.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23241">6</sup> Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will be filled.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23242">7</sup> Blessed are the merciful,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will be shown mercy.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23243">8</sup> Blessed are the pure in heart,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will see God.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23244">9</sup> Blessed are the peacemakers,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for they will be called children of God.</span><br />
<span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23245">10</sup> Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,</span><br />
<span class="woj">for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</span></i> <br />
<i> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23246">11</sup> “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-23247">12</sup> Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:1-12, NIV)</span></i><br />
<i><span class="woj"> </span></i> <br />
<span class="woj">Now you guys who grew up in the church recognize this passage; its the beatitudes. What does this have to do with happiness?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="woj">Let me set up the story for you: </span><br />
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<span class="woj">Jesus and his disciples have just retreated. They did this a lot. They went up on a mountain and Jesus began the greatest sermon of all time. We call this sermon the sermon on the mount... because He is literally teaching on the mountain.. haha I wonder if the Bible scholars who named the sermon on the mount won some kind of literary creativity award.. Probably not. That's beside the point. </span><br />
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<span class="woj">Anyways, here is Jesus beginning his leadership conference with His most devoted followers and the first word out of his mouth was 'makarios". </span><br />
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<span class="woj">Makarios is the word we translate "blessed" most of the time. The reason we usually translate this word blessed is because commentators will say this word means <i>more than just happy</i> by the world's definition. And this is true. Jesus isn't talking about this fleeting happiness that doesn't stick. Jesus is talking about <b>AUTHENTIC HAPPINESS</b>. </span><br />
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<span class="woj">Jesus is talking about what <b>ALL </b>of us are seeking so desperately! </span><br />
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<span class="woj">The disciples and the people of Jesus day understood this word makarios to mean <i>"the happiness of God."</i></span><br />
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<span class="woj">So Jesus spends the next few minutes opening his greatest recorded sermon with His thoughts on true happiness. </span><br />
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<span class="woj">And they are completely different than what the world was selling... and what the world is selling today. </span><br />
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<span class="woj">So over the next couple of weeks, I am going to do a blog series on these few verses and do my best to unpack what Jesus said about this age old debate of....</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What must I do to truly be HAPPY?</b></span></i> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj"> And to prove the world is right about one aspect of happiness; that a lack of happiness <b>is</b> a problem. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj">But to show you that a lack of happiness isn't a friendship problem.</span></div><br />
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Or an occupation problem.<br />
Or a financial problem.<br />
Or a marriage problem. <br />
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<b><i>A lack of happiness, the kind Jesus speaks about, is a spiritual problem.</i></b> <br />
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Hope God speaks to us as we study these verses together,<br />
<br />
Brian.Brian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452036961405041092.post-50019834669427458452011-03-02T16:06:00.001-06:002011-03-02T17:17:36.056-06:00How to have joy when everything that could go wrong, does go wrong..<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's be honest. Sometimes life stinks.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Figuratively, but possibly literally depending what you are smelling right now. (I'm looking at you West Monroe people that live near the paper plant! haha)</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some days it seems like everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Financial trials</b></u>: Finances are tight to say the least and things are stressful right now. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Job trials: </b></u>Maybe you have a job you hate. Maybe you don't have a job and want one.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Marriage trials:</b></u> Yours is hanging on by a thread or maybe you guys just aren't "clicking" right now.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Relationship trials</b></u>: Friends are stabbing you in the back or maybe you are lacking community now.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Health trials</b></u>: You can't do what you want to do physically or you just can't seem to get over something.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Spiritual trials</b></u>: God seems a little distant right now and you aren't sure why. You are struggling.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - <u><b>Normal life trials: </b></u>Everything in your house breaks at the same time! Or so it seems.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's be real. In this life, we are going to face trials. But the Bible says we are be joyful at all times..</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really God? </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">James 1:2 says,"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-30269a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-30269a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup> whenever you face trials of many kinds," </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consider it pure joy when I lose my job? </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consider it pure joy when God seems distant?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consider it pure joy when people make fun of me at school?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Really God?</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week God helped me to understand this principle more clearly.. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I learned that the phrase "consider it" in the NIV literally means "add it up".</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Essentially James is saying "add it up" as pure joy when we face trials of many kinds..</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And God helped me grasp this: </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><i>That if I take all the trials that I'm facing and put them on one hand..</i></u>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - Add up all the trials that you are going through right now..</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><i><span style="font-size: small;">Then on the other hand I compare them to the cross...</span></i></u></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> - the fact that GOD LOVES ME SO MUCH that He sent Jesus to die for my sins and take my place! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And I add them up: it comes up JOY! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is because </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>"THE BEAUTY OF THE CROSS OVERCOMES THE PAIN OF ALL THE TRIALS WE MAY FACE IN THIS LIFE"</i></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That if you are truly IN CHRIST; then whatever happens this side of heaven you can add it up as pure joy because; </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The beauty of the cross.<br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The depth of His love for you. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The amazingness of His grace. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The richness of His mercy. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We <u>don't </u>have to like the trials we are facing right now... </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But we don't have to live a joyless life because of them.. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ponder your trials today and compare them to the beauty of the cross.. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian, I can guarantee that with the help of the Holy Spirit...</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can add it up as <b>"pure joy</b>". </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thank you Jesus. </span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /></span>Brian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3452036961405041092.post-29173792988451287242011-02-10T15:22:00.002-06:002011-02-11T11:35:40.306-06:00My healthy addiction..I still can't fathom sometimes that God loves ME.<br />
<br />
After all the bone headed, stupid things I have done in my life thus far God still loves me.<br />
<br />
Actually, He loves me a lot. Like way more than I love Him. <br />
He has saved me from my sins... even though I didn't/don't deserve it.<br />
He has blessed me richly with so many things in this life that I don't deserve like an amazing wife, awesome church family, and incredible friends. <br />
<br />
God is great. (more than I will ever grasp this side of heaven)<br />
God is good. (always.. even when I don't understand why)<br />
What a simple prayer that we pray as kids but what great theology it is!<br />
<br />
Because God is so good, gracious, merciful, beautiful, holy, just, righteous, and scary.. but in a good way..<br />
<br />
I want to see other people experience what I have.<br />
<br />
The joy of my salvation! That I was hopeless, and yet He saved me!<br />
The joy of growing in Christ! That I may become more like Him so that I may live a life that brings Him more glory!<br />
<br />
This is why my life mission is: <br />
<br />
"to see people move forward in their relationship with Jesus."<br />
<br />
Wherever they are in their journey..<br />
<br />
<i>For those who don't know Christ, to come to know Him! </i><br />
<i>For those who know Christ, to become more like Him!</i><br />
We can all move forward. <br />
<br />
And this includes myself.<br />
I want to become more like Jesus.<br />
I want our church to become more like Jesus.<br />
I want people in our community who don't know Jesus, to meet Him.<br />
<br />
Honestly, I must confess that I am <i><b>addicted</b></i> to seeing people move forward..<br />
<br />
I want to see more people baptized (we had the joy of baptizing 5 Sunday at our church!)<br />
I want to see more people put Christ as the center of their marriage.<br />
I want to see more people fall in love with Jesus and his Word.<br />
I want to see more people realize their worth in God's economy.<br />
I want to see more people connect in small groups and experience Biblical community.<br />
I want to see more people start serving passionately and effectively in the church.<br />
I want to see more people be freed from addictions and live in the freedom they have in Christ.<br />
I want to see MORE!<br />
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And I am <i><b>addicted</b></i>. And I'm not apologizing.<br />
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Our verse for this season of ministry at FBC Kopperl:<br />
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29272">20</sup> Now to him who is able to do <b><i>immeasurably more</i></b> than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29273">21</sup> to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)<br />
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My prayer(I'm literally praying for you) is that everyone who reads this will become<i><b> addicted to seeing God change lives</b></i> in your church, community, and family.<br />
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I've told you my passion.. Addiction. Vision for my life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>What is YOUR mission for YOUR life?</i></b></span>Brian Crainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08665349470871035278noreply@blogger.com2