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On the road
2 hours to go. Listen, God is talking.
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what we trust in
That’s why we live with such good cheer. You won’t see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don’t get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It’s what we trust in but don’t yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we’ll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming. 2 Cor 5:7
Andy
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hot tub
A promise of God is an outdoor hot tub on a snowy night.
Today tears came to my eyes reading through this chapter and seeing the last words:
This is what God’s servants can expect.
I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
God’s Decree.
If you want to know what God’s servants can expect read the chapter.
It absolutely blows my mind how our God has compassion on us and for us.
I am simply overwhelmed by His promises.
What a great place to be.
Although it’s the stagnate month of winter things aren’t stagnate for God’s people here in Hamtramck, we will keep moving forward, even if I have to fall forward, it will be forward.
Fighting on,
Andy
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Thoughts for a ride home
I love strangers, precisely because they are not strangers to me. That
makes me strange.
Being a kid is where it’s at. They really enjoy things, they can
wholly give themselves to an idea with no hesitancy, they believe. I
want to be more of a kid.
Heart over head.
Anticipate everything, life becomes more dynamic, and it has less of
me boring it down.
Adventure is everywhere if I am open.
Time is of the essence. I believe it, and can explain it, but l act
like its trig sometimes.
Andy
Sent from my iPhone
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shifting
Monday afternoon, spent time seeking my Lord in prayer and am currently reflecting on all the things God has done while I dream of what he will do. Currently I am sitting in the kitchen next to some boiling pasta. But what I have been thinking about today is this:
p.s. if you think you wont read this, read the verse and skip to the end for the last paragraph.
They (John’s disciples)came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven." You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become greater; I must become less.
What is this saying?
The disciples were saying, "John, this Jesus guy is stealing your (our) job here. What is he doing? John, we are the baptizers, right?
WRONG.
John says, well first you can only have what is given to you in the first place. So much for trying to get it on your own. And that is not the point. John says, I didn’t just decide to get into the trade of baptizing, and I certainly can’t force myself to stay in it. John reminds them that this whole baptizing thing was about Christ, and he is not the Christ. He has to remind them that he is not the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom.
But I love what is says here….the friend waits and listens, then is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. THAT JOY IS MINE AND IT IS NOW COMPLETE.
Finally ends with a statement I have prayed time and time again. He must become greater and I must become less.
So let me put this all together in my head. What does this mean for me?
My job is to wait and listen for the bridegroom, not be in charge of this ministry or that ministry. It’s so easy to think that "this is my thing." "I play guitar." "I am in charge of _____." But the thing is, we can only receive what was given to us from heaven. The joy isn’t in the task, job, gift, it’s in Jesus. And the more a church grows, or we grow in life, it is obvious that there will be shifting that takes place. Our job must never allow us to cling to it and feel like it’s our territory. That is what John’s disciples were doing. John had to remind them he is simply the friend who waits and listens and ends up in complete joy. I want to do anything, everything, to advance the gospel. This means I must never get attached to the ministry whatever form it takes, I must stay attached to Jesus, only. If i am territorial, it simply means I want credit and that is just pride. John didn’t get into baptizing to make the newspapers or get a good job pat on the back. He got into it because he was called. I am called, and will be all things to all people to win more to Jesus.
Andy
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Shut up Peter, this is important.
And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 6(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Verse seven in my version seems to read, "a cloud appeared, a voice came and said "This is my Son, whom I love. Shut up Peter, this is important." GOD REALLY WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND. If you only read this, believe it. God wants us to get it. God wanted Peter to get this moment and not ruin it with himself, which he almost did, but GOD loves Peter, he loves me. So in his mercy and patience he teaches him IN the moment. What a GOD! Thank you Jesus.
Andy
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possibility
It is dangerous business to arrive in eternity with possibilities
that you have prevented from becoming actualities. Possibility
is a hint from God. A person must follow it. The possibility for
the highest is in every soul; you must follow it. If God does not
want it, then let him hinder it. You must not hinder it yourself. -soren kierkegaard
just a thought from a friend
Andy
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it’s cold
February in Hamtown is an exciting time. Night light in 5.5 days. BE HERE! I just uploaded some new photos for your viewing pleasure. Check them out in the album aptly entitled. “it’s cold.”
Andy