tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73297334371737309052024-03-05T22:03:02.588-08:00A Man Of Few WordsB.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-12587902361805580482013-12-20T03:31:00.003-08:002013-12-20T03:32:25.373-08:00As Christ Loved the Church<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is part two of our look at how we can apply 1
Corinthians 11:1 to our leadership of our families. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
1 Corinthians 11:1<br />
Amplified Bible (AMP)<br />
11 Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow
Christ (the Messiah).<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think we could all work on this.</span></div>
<h3>
Ephesians 5:25-28</h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
<span class="text"><sup>25 </sup>Husbands, love your wives, just as
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her</span> <span class="text"><sup>26 </sup>to
make her holy, cleansing<sup>[</sup></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205:25-28&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29331a" title="See footnote a"><sup>a</sup></a><span class="text"><sup>]</sup> her by the
washing with water through the word,</span> <span class="text"><sup>27 </sup>and
to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any
other blemish, but holy and blameless.</span> <span class="text"><sup>28 </sup>In
this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his wife loves himself.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text">We are told to love our wives just as Christ loved the
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved the church so much that
he gave himself up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sacrificed
his life for the church and expects us to do the same for our wives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this article that talks about this
topic and I thought the following paragraph was really good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“And let’s be clear about something
else. Many of us, when considering the idea of giving our life for our spouse,
think about jumping in front of a bullet for them. Or we envision some
hypothetical situation where we sacrifice ourselves to save them. That’s good,
but we often miss the much more common – and more difficult – way we are called
to give our lives for them. It isn’t in some hypothetical situation that we
find in action movies. It’s what we are faced with every single morning when we
wake up. It’s the everyday, ordinary ways we serve them. It’s always having
them at the center of your thoughts and intentions. It’s waking up in the
morning and thinking about your wife before you think about yourself. Serving
her in every little thing you do before serving yourself. It’s radical – just
like the vows you made.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can find the complete article at
<a href="http://www.fathersforgood.org/ffg/en/husband_wife/archive/christ_loved_the_church.html">http://www.fathersforgood.org/ffg/en/husband_wife/archive/christ_loved_the_church.html</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think we find the ultimate example
of Christ’s love in this verse.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
Luke 22:42</h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
<span class="woj"><sup>42 </sup>“Father, if you are willing, take this
cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus obviously didn’t really want
to go to the cross, but he laid aside what he really wanted to do and did what
was required of him. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
Here’s how I think this applies to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are called to sacrifice ourselves for our wives, whatever that
entails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may not be what we really
want, but the needs of our wives need to come before our needs and wants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could mean a lot of things.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
It could mean that if your wife needs or desires something then we make sure
that she gets whatever that is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if
it means that we have to do without something that we need or desire.<br />
<br />
If your wife needs time away then provide it for her. Even if it means
letting her spend some time out with friends and you taking care of the kids.<br />
<br />
If your wife needs help with the house, then do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sacrifice some time and whatever your idea of
what a man’s job is and help her with the dishes, cleaning, laundry, or
whatever needs to be done.<br />
<br />
If your wife needs more of you then make some sacrifices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could mean less time with our buddies,
less time at the range, less time fishing or hunting, less time playing golf. I
think this quote from Rick Warren really applies here.<br />
<br />
“The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best
time to love is now.”<br />
― Rick Warren<br />
<br />
The list could go on and on.<br />
<br />
I think we will find that if we start sacrificing our desires that we can
fulfill the need and desires of our wives then it will be well worth the
sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will probably find that
are willing to make some sacrifices for us as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
So guys let’s step up for our wives and make the sacrifices that she needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-40641823544303810462013-12-17T18:03:00.000-08:002013-12-17T18:13:31.763-08:00Family ServantsIt's been a long time since I posted a blog. I recently started a men's group on Facebook. I created it to encourage and challenge the men in the group.Well recently I've had 1 Corinthians 11:1 on my<br />
heart.<br />
1 Corinthians 11:1<br />
Amplified Bible (AMP)<br />
11 Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example], as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).<br />
<br />
So I'm posting several small studies on how this verse applies to us leading our families.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in joining the men's group you can find it at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/actlikemenrlc/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/actlikemenrlc/</a><br />
<br />
This was the first post on being servant leaders to our families. <br />
<br />
<h2>
Family Servants</h2>
<br />
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2:6-7</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">New International Version (NIV)</span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">6 </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who, being in very nature<sup>[</sup></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:6-7&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29398a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> God,<br />
did not consider equality with God something to be used
to his own advantage;<br />
<sup>7 </sup>rather, he made himself nothing<br />
by taking the very nature<sup>[</sup></span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%202:6-7&version=NIV#fen-NIV-29399b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of a servant,<br />
being made in human likeness.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">John
13:3-5</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Amplified Bible (AMP)</span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3 </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[That] Jesus, knowing (fully aware) that the Father had put
everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now]
returning to God,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4 </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Got up from supper, took off His garments, and taking a
[servant’s] towel, He fastened it around His waist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5 </span></sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash
the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the [servant’s] towel with which He
was girded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If Jesus is our ultimate example then
we need to follow his lead. </span></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Philippians 2:5</span></h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">New International Version (NIV)</span></div>
<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In your relationships with one
another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be the men that our family needs we need to become servant leaders to them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what is a servant leader?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Greek the word for servant is duolos which means.</div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a slave, bondman, man of servile
condition </span></li>
<ol start="1" type="a">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a slave </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">metaph., one who gives himself up
to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and
advancing his cause among men </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">devoted to another to the
disregard of one's own interests</span></li>
</ol>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">a servant, attendant</span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
The Hebrew word for leader is
"nagiyd." It pictures a person under authority who fulfills the
wishes of that authority. God wants leaders who will listen to His will and
execute it faithfully with divinely appointed authority. The related Greek word
for leadership is "diakonia." This literally means serving at tables.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><b>Servant leadership</b> is both a
leadership philosophy and set of leadership practices. Traditional leadership
generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of
the pyramid.” By comparison, the servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of
others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scholars generally agree that these
characteristics are central to the development of a servant-leader:</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Listening</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader puts the emphasis
upon listening effectively to others.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Empathy</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader needs to
understand others' feelings and perspectives.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing" title="Healing"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Healing</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader helps foster
each person's emotional and spiritual health and wholeness.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awareness" title="Awareness"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Awareness</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader understands his
or her own values and feelings, strengths and weaknesses.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Persuasion</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader influences
others through their persuasiveness.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conceptualization</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader needs to
integrate present realities and future possibilities.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stewardship</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: A servant leader is a steward
who holds a families resources in trust for the greater good.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise" title="Promise"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Commitment</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to the growth of people: A
servant leader is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accountability" title="Accountability"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">responsible</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for serving the need of others.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Amplified Bible (AMP)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Luke 2:26<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="verse">
<span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">26 </span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But this is not to be so with
you; on the contrary, let him who is the greatest among you become like the
youngest, and him who is the chief <i>and</i> leader like one who serves.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"A Godly Leader finds strength by realizing his
weakness, finds authority by being under authority, finds direction by laying
down his own plans, finds vision by seeing the needs of others, finds
credibility by being an example, finds loyalty by expressing compassion, finds
honor by being faithful, finds greatness by being a servant." <br />
<b>--Roy Lessin</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to John Maxwell </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or
assigned. It comes only from influence, and that can’t be mandated.
It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time –
either to increase your level of influence with others or to erase it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So men lets step up step up into our roles as servant
leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our families are waiting for us
to.</div>
B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-91302149489302091852012-07-12T15:06:00.000-07:002012-07-12T15:12:33.591-07:00A Very Blessed Year in PicturesAs I talked about previously Sandra and I have been in the process of adopting 3
kids. The process started over 8 months ago and was finally finalized
about 2 weeks ago. I couldn't post any pictures until after the adoption was final. This is our first family picture from back before
Christmas. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu4nN4ZVu-zX_Gll-DscgTQqVpXcs4tYbpGF9HW7diB13NxXZ9krx-HTh-KG0BtEMKCxy0Z-fAJSLCK4kw2dMkhdP8rhw9j1QiAX0ybzrY2ATomnEUo7pmBN7ukfc5Zjrx22Nwz3M8h9P/s1600/Family+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu4nN4ZVu-zX_Gll-DscgTQqVpXcs4tYbpGF9HW7diB13NxXZ9krx-HTh-KG0BtEMKCxy0Z-fAJSLCK4kw2dMkhdP8rhw9j1QiAX0ybzrY2ATomnEUo7pmBN7ukfc5Zjrx22Nwz3M8h9P/s400/Family+Pic.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A more recent picture a couple of weeks ago on our first family vacation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-keL5EvTBTYIL1koStLjFYb174bcSoq5A_2VukeX0uaxKkkqZCraVtRolpVLbQm2ApEm-m1vDwLsszNJ4RX5P2urSvnM26fVr0M2obkpfEfthiSGaKC-BAQl5_JpEyTLkJuX7cLZ3orR4/s1600/IMG_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-keL5EvTBTYIL1koStLjFYb174bcSoq5A_2VukeX0uaxKkkqZCraVtRolpVLbQm2ApEm-m1vDwLsszNJ4RX5P2urSvnM26fVr0M2obkpfEfthiSGaKC-BAQl5_JpEyTLkJuX7cLZ3orR4/s400/IMG_0542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Then a few months ago we got a little surprise.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu6VY4FLKk0klXOiNK0lI7skY45xLMicUqlkW_iFYlKcC8hYqKFlFCifbGkDfmVGCFXd47BChsvrWprybVVxRPBzFOQLpANy-x42bczYDYJ_WK0bge96sXOK5YLwNGSkYzbYtlvYSIjYC/s1600/556139_3539155432796_899698679_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJu6VY4FLKk0klXOiNK0lI7skY45xLMicUqlkW_iFYlKcC8hYqKFlFCifbGkDfmVGCFXd47BChsvrWprybVVxRPBzFOQLpANy-x42bczYDYJ_WK0bge96sXOK5YLwNGSkYzbYtlvYSIjYC/s400/556139_3539155432796_899698679_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Seth Edward Fowler is due on November 17.<br />
<br />
Well with our expanding family our 1600 square foot 3 bedroom home was no longer big enough so we were blessed with this one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0mrMrpgJSsLvolfBMR5sgOaGkmfITNX0E1W0E9TbB2146SaLCKwmNyguV4CUzR1cLS8a5TxW131ujXKPVOrqB22s0cq40QifljzrvjxWK9IED46QozCamiYsYosrSKIbFBkUu2KJA7D3/s1600/425130_4087178293177_1912541038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0mrMrpgJSsLvolfBMR5sgOaGkmfITNX0E1W0E9TbB2146SaLCKwmNyguV4CUzR1cLS8a5TxW131ujXKPVOrqB22s0cq40QifljzrvjxWK9IED46QozCamiYsYosrSKIbFBkUu2KJA7D3/s400/425130_4087178293177_1912541038_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-39733357880557914692012-05-06T04:44:00.000-07:002012-05-06T04:44:49.933-07:00Shepherds of Our Families<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had our monthly
men's fellowship this past Friday and once again I brought the message. I
guess I'm starting to get used to this teaching thing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sandra
and I share the responsibility of teaching the College/Career class at
our church. Right now we doing a study on David loosely based on Beth
Moore's book A Heart Like His. The message I brought to the men at our
fellowship was actually based on a study we did on David's shephereds
heart making him a good king. I didn't really think about it, until
Sandra mentioned it to me, but it also applies to us as men and fathers
as well. <br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Shepherds of Our Families</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> A true <span style="color: white;">sheph<span style="background-color: white;"></span>erd</span>
leads the way. He does not merely point the way.</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <b>Author: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leonard Ravenhill</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<h3>
Psalm 78:70-72</h3>
<div class="txt-sm">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">New International
Version (NIV)</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
<sup>70</sup> He chose David his servant <br />
and took him from the sheep pens; <br />
<sup>71</sup> from tending the sheep he brought him <br />
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, <br />
of Israel his inheritance. <br />
<sup>72</sup> And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; <br />
with skillful hands he led them. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So even though he didn’t know it David had been in training
to be King his whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The position
of shepherd was training David to be the shepherd of his people that God would
call him to be. His shepherds heart is what would make him a great king.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s take a look at what the Hebrew word for heart is.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #551700; font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ancient Hebrew Word
Meanings<br />
Heart ~ <i>lev</i><br />
</span></b><b><span style="color: #551700; font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Jeff A. Benner</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/"><cite><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">www.<b>ancient</b>-<b>hebrew</b>.org</span></cite></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrIip3sItF9eO60oVUdL8k5uhb2s8kAARM-fJn4y3z2oj8Icx9Ks2-zxCoqEzzhM2AcDWZnuhe3vAbElQNz9mxTCamTgpaIu6yuodGxzw8E0HsTXHalVU8-t3HoBYcV84TeKvCKcsSAZ-/s1600/27_heart.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrIip3sItF9eO60oVUdL8k5uhb2s8kAARM-fJn4y3z2oj8Icx9Ks2-zxCoqEzzhM2AcDWZnuhe3vAbElQNz9mxTCamTgpaIu6yuodGxzw8E0HsTXHalVU8-t3HoBYcV84TeKvCKcsSAZ-/s1600/27_heart.gif" /></a></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal;">
Here is an example of our
modern western culture still using a concrete object to express an abstract
idea. We often associate the heart with emotions such as love and kindness as
in "He has a good heart". This is also true with the Hebrews who saw
the heart as the seat of emotion. But unlike us they also saw the heart as the
seat of thought whereas we see the brain as the seat of thought. To the ancient
Hebrews the heart was the mind including all thoughts including emotions. When
we are told to love God with all our heart (Deut 6:5) it is not speaking of an
emotional love but to keep our emotions and all our thoughts working for him.
The first picture in this Hebrew word is a shepherd staff and represents
authority as the shepherd has authority over his flock. The second letter is
the picture of the floor plan of the nomadic tent and represents the idea of
being inside as the family resides within the tent. When combined they mean
"the authority within".</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Characteristics of a
shepherd that are good for a Man. </b></div>
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A good shepherd always knew the habits and characteristics
of his sheep and could predict their behavior and understand their
peculiarities. The shepherd knew the characteristics of his sheep so well that
he was never surprised or caught off guard by their actions.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
John 10:14</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="text-align: left;">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="woj"><sup>14 </sup>“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep
and my sheep know me—</span></div>
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<br />
A good shepherd was always at ease with his sheep, comfortable with their
company, and enjoyed the responsibility of taking care of them. But, the life
of the shepherd was extremely hard; never off duty and never any time off from
his shepherd responsibilities.</div>
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<br />
A good shepherd would sometimes have to discipline his sheep. Because fields of
grass were sometimes hard to find, the sheep were prone to wander looking for
grazing opportunities.<br />
<br />
Therefore, the shepherd had to keep constant watch over his flock. One
rebellious sheep could lead the other sheep astray. So the shepherd would break
the legs of the wayward sheep to prevent it from straying away from the flock
and leading other sheep astray.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Hebrews 12:11</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="text-align: left;">
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)</div>
<div class="top-1" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><sup>11 </sup>We don’t enjoy being
disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those
who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.</span></div>
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<br />
<br />
After this disciplining process, the shepherd would then carry the sheep on his
own back to teach the sheep that, even though the sheep needed discipline from
the shepherd, the shepherd still loved the sheep deeply. Being carried on the
back of the shepherd, the sheep developed a more intimate relationship with the
shepherd.<br />
<br />
The shepherd’s task was not only constant but also dangerous because he had to
guard his flock against wild animals and against thieves and robbers. Constant
vigilance, fearless, courage, and patient love were necessary characteristics
of the shepherd.<br />
<br />
Lastly, the shepherd was responsible for taking care of the physical diseases
that his sheep might contract.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ezekiel 34:16</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="text-align: left;">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><sup>16 </sup>I will search for the lost and bring
back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the
sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice. </span></div>
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<br />
A good shepherd’s responsibility, then, was to provide for all the needs of his
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responsibility.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">How are these good
qualities for a Man to have?</b></div>
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A Man who is the shepherd of his family knows his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He understands how they act and think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows them so well that he is not caught
off guard by their actions.</div>
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A Man who is the shepherd of his family loves his family and
enjoys leading them. He will discipline them when needed, and protect them at
all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Constant vigilance, fearless,
courage, and patient love are necessary characteristics of a Man who is the
shepherd of his family.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Isaiah 40:11</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="text-align: left;">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
<div class="line" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="text"><sup>11 </sup>He tends his flock(family)
like a shepherd: </span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">He
gathers the lambs in his arms </span><br />
<span class="text">and carries them close to his heart; </span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">he
gently leads those that have young</span></div>
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</span></div>B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-22967119220677376962012-03-30T19:08:00.008-07:002012-05-06T04:45:09.882-07:00What Is A Man of Courage?<span style="font-family: georgia;">Tonight was the second men's fellowship that I put together. We had a short study on "What Is A Man of Courage?" that I lead. Teaching is all new to me but I thought it went pretty well. So I thought I would post my outline. It's pretty short and there was a lot of input from the rest of the men, but here is the basics.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What Is A Man Of Courage?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood."</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">— Charles Swindoll</span></h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Main Verse</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 16:13</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Amplified Bible (AMP)</span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">13</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (<sup>[</sup></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2016:13%20&version=AMP#fen-AMP-28788a" title="See footnote a"><sup>a</sup></a></span><sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The word "courage" is from the Greek word "tharrhountes". It means to be bold and confident. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A very similar word in the Greek is "tharseo". It is translated "take courage" or "be of good cheer"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- C.S. Lewis </span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
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Virtue- definition</h1>
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<span class="dnindex"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></span><span class="dnindex"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">moral</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #333333;">excellence;</span> <span style="color: #333333;">goodness;</span> righteousness. </span></div>
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<span class="dnindex"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></span><span class="dnindex"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">conformity</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: #333333;">of</span> <span style="color: #333333;">one's</span> <span style="color: #333333;">life</span> <span style="color: #333333;">and</span> <span style="color: #333333;">conduct</span> to moral and ethical <span style="color: #333333;">principles;</span> <span style="color: #333333;">uprightness;</span> <span style="color: #333333;">rectitude.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As men of courage we should have moral excellence, righteousness, and goodness. We know that God is goodness itself. So if we have goodness as one of our attributes it can only come from the source of all goodness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What does God Promise if we are courageous men? </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 29:18</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Amplified Bible (AMP)</span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">18</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]--blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Replace “these people” with my family.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Joshua 1:3-9</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /><i>I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you ... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people(my famlily) to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions </span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://christianity.about.com/od/oldtestamentpeople/a/Moses-Giver-Of-The-Law.htm"><i>Moses</i></a><i> gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.</i><br /><a href="http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/p/newlivingtransl.htm">(NLT) </a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">God’s promise in these verses.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We will be blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We will possess the land</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We will be successful in everything we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He will be with us wherever we go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- Winston Churchill </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">- Billy Graham </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 14.0pt;">If we are men of courage it will rub off on others. Our kids, grandkids, and the kids at church, look up to us and often want to be just like us. We are always an example to those that look up to us, whether good or bad. When we are living like men of courage we are training the next generation to be courageous.</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE RESOLUTION</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I DO</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself, my wife, and my children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> train them to honor authority and live responsibly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and compassion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I have wronged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with integrity as a man answerable to God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word, and do His will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I WILL</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.</span></div>
<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. – </span></i><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt;">Joshua 24:15</span></b><br />
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</div>B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-35442329026480665162012-02-21T15:03:00.001-08:002012-02-21T15:26:33.943-08:00Growing Out of My Comfort ZoneIt's been a while since I posted a blog so I guess it's about time.<br /><br />For anyone that knows me you know that I like to be in the background. I am perfectly happy to be part of the supporting cast. At church Sandra teaches "our" Sunday School class while I sit quietly by. I put together the power points for the worship service and I am the sound guy. I guess you could say these are my comfort zones.<br /><br />Well I guess that is all about to change. I guess it all started with the movie Courageous. If you haven't seen it yet I can't recommend it highly enough. It's all about us men standing up and doing our part. Anyways I put together a men's fellowship for the guys of our church to come together, eat, and watch the movie. To most that wouldn't sound like much, but like I said I prefer to be in the background. In fact my father in law was really surprised that I stepped out of my "normal" to put the fellowship together. Anyways the plan is now that this will turn into a monthly event that I will be heading up. It will consist of food, fellowship, and a short devotion lead by someone. Well I think the first one I will be doing the devotion and it will be "What is a man of courage?". I don't know if I will be doing the devotion every time, we will just have to see. I have also committed to start sharing the teaching load of our college and career Sunday school class. My first time teaching the class will be coming up in a couple of weeks. At this point I'm clueless on what I will be speaking on but we will see what happens.<br /><br />Where is all this leading ? I'm not really sure. Am I nervous. Yes, but I know God will lead me into whatever he has for me.B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-76463048763302666292011-11-07T16:45:00.000-08:002011-11-07T17:31:02.303-08:00How Great Thou ArtYesterday at church we sang the song How Great Thou Art. I don't guess I had really payed attention to the lyrics to much before. As someone who like to spend time outside in God's creation a couple of the verses really stood out to me.<br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:78%;">Stanza 1:</span></p><p>O Lord my God,</p><p>When I in awesome wonder</p><p>Consider all</p><p>The world Thy Hand hath made,</p><p>I see the stars,</p><p>I hear the rolling thunder,</p><p>Thy pow'r throughout</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">Stanza 2:</span></p><p>When through the woods</p><p>And forest glades I wander</p><p>I hear the birds</p><p>Sing sweetly in the trees;</p><p>When I look down</p><p>From lofty mountain grandeur</p><p>And hear the brook</p>And feel the gentle breeze;<br /><br />The universe displayed;<br /><br />A lot of people are taking this month to post daily something that they are thankful for. While I am not going start on that now, I am very thankful for what God has created in nature.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v225/bjfowle/?action=view&current=IMGP0960.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/bjfowle/IMGP0960.jpg" alt="Photobucket" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you know me then you know I like to fish. There is really nothing like being out on the lake when the sun is coming up or going down. There's nothing like seeing God's artwork. Being out there by yourself, it's almost if he painted it just for me to enjoy that morning.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fosR9K7ztbd91IPq8dLs5LHtig0-71cXlW4igMxmBKL58Y5RgBIDj4g9uFuOTMeC9yx4FjOoASyGUO7_VJJmOa2CN_VN8XwW0Jjxft3CRo6rYE3dbi_u3VD5_vDHUKQguOuMtv5SJClW/s1600/colorado.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fosR9K7ztbd91IPq8dLs5LHtig0-71cXlW4igMxmBKL58Y5RgBIDj4g9uFuOTMeC9yx4FjOoASyGUO7_VJJmOa2CN_VN8XwW0Jjxft3CRo6rYE3dbi_u3VD5_vDHUKQguOuMtv5SJClW/s400/colorado.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672427880272660834" border="0" /></a><br />Then there are the great mountains that He created. As I look at their grandeur I can only thank God for allowing us to behold His creation.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8qRD1naXZGBojIMGuGvLjkzdf-2p0WNlth_RIQ0rSLdV7_aHDxVb_tC5lPVxeMdVGXq81lxLOduwCQ4yAEL4nI6pt_O7PYvMW-EIxYX8IWWeB1j_QyNBlZ-S2N5113MvSAenUxU-GpSE/s1600/cozumel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8qRD1naXZGBojIMGuGvLjkzdf-2p0WNlth_RIQ0rSLdV7_aHDxVb_tC5lPVxeMdVGXq81lxLOduwCQ4yAEL4nI6pt_O7PYvMW-EIxYX8IWWeB1j_QyNBlZ-S2N5113MvSAenUxU-GpSE/s400/cozumel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672429585378947026" border="0" /></a><br />Then there's these beautiful blue oceans that we saw in Cozumel. The same God that created those created those great snow capped mountains also deep blue waters and white sands of the tropics. <br /><br />May I never again be out in God's creation without thanking Him for all of his artwork. The song writer was right when he penned "How Great Thou Art"<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TfecNH2k92I" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-16116980896336934572011-10-04T14:52:00.000-07:002011-10-04T15:13:59.734-07:00Keep WaitingIt's now October 4th and we are still waiting.<br /><br />Just a quick update on the whole process. We spent the past 3 weekends with the kids. That includes two weekends spent with them in Houston and this past weekend when they came to our home for the first time. Things seem to being going really well. Sunday as we were taking the kids back to the airport one of them asked when they were going to get to move in with us. So yes it they are also waiting and are excited about joining our family.<br /><br />We did receive a call from CPS today. As far as they are concerned, the kids can now be placed in our home. We are just waiting for the kid's therapist to give her blessing on the move. So yes we are still waiting, but hopefully not for too much longer.<br /><br />When I titled this blog it made me think of this song. It doesn't really apply that much to the situation but I thought I would put it on here anyways.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wv1QmRhAK78" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe>B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-30282984423036022352011-09-15T11:29:00.000-07:002011-09-15T12:10:44.898-07:00Great MonthSeptember looks like it is turning into a great month. As I posted earlier, we had the presentation staffing for the kids we are going to be adopting this week. For those of you that do not know what that is I guess I should expound on that a little. On Tuesday we went to the Arrow office for a conference call with our adoption coordinator, the kids case worker, and a couple of other people. It was just a time that we could get answers to any question that we had and make plans for the future. So we were able to set-up our first meeting with the kids this weekend as well as for the next two weekends. The kids have now been told about us and have seen the family photo book that Sandra put together. That photo book just has pictures of us and our family. So it serves as an introduction to us. Sandra talked to the foster parents last night after the kids saw our photo book and apparently the kids are a little nervous, but excited to meet us. The same could probably said for us.<br /><br />As I stated earlier we have visits with the kids planned for the next 3 weekends. The first two we will be traveling down to Houston. The third visit the kids will be coming up here to spend the weekend with us. So things are really starting move fast now. If everything goes as expected the kids will be placed with us mid October.<br /><br />On September 30 the movie Courageous will be coming to a theater near you. I guess I'm looking forward to this movie due to the fact that I will be a dad within a month. It really looks like a movie that all dads should see. If you don't know anything about the movie the official website is <a href="http://www.courageousthemovie.com/">http://www.courageousthemovie.com</a>. Here is the trailer.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i9VT_NBIVfs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />Finally of less importance a couple of my favorite bands are releasing new albums this month. Needtobreathe's new ablum The Reckoning will be out next week. The new Switchfoot ablum Vice Versus is coming out the week after that.<br /><br />So it's going to be a great month.B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-48926244560475027182011-09-10T05:20:00.000-07:002011-09-10T05:20:48.474-07:00VacationWell today starts my vacation. Sandra is working next week so we will not be going anywhere. So it will just be a week of relaxing, well at least part of it. I am cooking for the Grandparents day lunch tomorrow at church. This will include smoking 3 pork butts that just finished up this morning and 2 briskets that I just put on. So it will be a long day of cooking. We have borrowed season 1 of Lost, so we will be having a Lost marathon today. The rest of my vacation will include spending a day with my mom and Bop (my grandpa), hopefully a day of fishing with <a href="http://www.johnnysguideservice.com/">Johnny's Guide Service</a>, and I might have to go to the driving range or play golf sometime.<br />
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We should be having our presentation staffing for the kids the first part of next week. That's basically a conference call with all parties involved where we can ask any question that we may have. If that goes well we are hoping that we will be heading to the Houston area on Friday to meet the kids for the first time. So things look like they might start moving pretty fast from this point forward. <br />
<br />B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7329733437173730905.post-90327936919016418902011-09-04T19:25:00.000-07:002011-09-04T19:30:05.332-07:00Hello World/The Call to Adopt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">So Sandra and I have had a blog for a while but I’ve never really posted on it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She has really taken it over, which is fine because I never really had any interest in blogging.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That blog can be found at<a href="http://bjandsandra.blogspot.com/"> http://bjandsandra.blogspot.com</a> . So tonight I decided that I wanted a blog to call my own, somewhere that I could put my thoughts down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It might be something of spiritual significance, an update of what is going on in our lives, or just random thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who knows how often I will update this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometime last year we decided that we were going to adopt.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well I’m not really sure that we decided.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was more like we felt called<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to adopt and decided to answer that call.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s been a long process that had us go through a lot of training classes and a lot of waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As many know we have been selected to adopt a sibling group of 3.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I must admit that this is a little scary and I’m a little nervous, but I have no doubt that this is where God is leading us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So the next few weeks should be interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Hopefully we will be meeting the kids for the first time within the next couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I guess that is what I’m most nervous about.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are going to be meeting these kids for the first time and they will know that soon they will become a part of our family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know I wonder about how the kids will react to us, how quickly they will bond to us, and all that stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can only imagine how the kids will feel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their world has been turned upside down for the last couple of years.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now here is this couple that we don’t know that is going our new family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m sure that transition won’t be easy for them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So please keep them and<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>us in your prayers as we go through this transition.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> B.J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02175954558506995539noreply@blogger.com0