You thank God for...

(since the last time I published your responses...)
You thank God for...

Colored markers...

• our loving, faithful, adorable lapdog
• physical therapists who make me accountable
• The cop who was clearly annoyed with me for 'speeding' through a school zone but only gave me a ticket for not having the right address on my ID. 
• daily devotions in my inbox
• When life knocks me down God has provided me trials and feats of strength 
• spring
• warm weather
• Holy Week 
• Easter
• Sunshine
• Eyes to see, Ears to hear and a heart to receive and believe 
• The joy that He brings in His promise and people in the body who pray for me! 
• colored markers
• Days that end in "day"
• His protection
• PTs who video me going through my paces trying to get insurance to give me more sessions!  
• B. Arthur
• The discernment of the Holy Spirit and when He subtly and not so subtly reminds me of His presence. (Praise God!)  
• forgiveness
• loving pets
• a loving husband
• being in control of everything!!!
• safety

Thank you and thank God for you!

Amen.

I thank God for...

http://goo.gl/forms/29cCHRXlHn

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Wisdom From the Unwise

[guest devotion from my brother Chris]

A Lesson From Job - "Wisdom From the Unwise"

In the book of Job there are four primary characters.  Job, of course, is the main character in the book which recounts a celestial challenge and the resulting patience, faith and trust that Job showed in response to unspeakable sorrow and loss.

The other 3 main characters in the book are Job's 3 friends, who come to console, counsel, then rebuke him.  The best of intentions may or may not have been at play, we cannot be certain, but the result of their "help" is clear.  It missed the mark.  They did more damage than good.  Let's take a look at each of these 3 men more closely to understand the wisdom that these 3 "unwise" men have to share with us in our lives today.

Bildad  (Job 8:1-7)
Bildad's error lay in his failure to consider the big picture of God's plan for Job.  When I compare myself to Bildad, sadly I find that we have much in common.  I too often rush to judgement without having all the facts.  I take some of the facts and form my opinion, the march full speed ahead with my assumptions in tow, laying waste to those who think differently than I do, simply because I'm convinced I'm right.  My wife can attest that my stubbornness often causes me to lose sight of the bigger picture, especially God's bigger picture.  I lash out, react emotionally and ultimately veer away from the path God has laid out for me. How many opportunities to do good, to share His good news, to influence others for Christ, do I miss out on when my blindness causes me to lose sight of eternity; the big picture?

Eliphaz (Job 4:7-8)
Eliphaz's belief that Job was being punished for his wrong doing, peppered his entire interaction with Job and led him to the wrong conclusions.  Much like Bildad, Eliphaz allowed himself to draw a conclusion; the wrong one.  Clearly, Job must have done SOMETHING to earn this response from a loving God.  "Confess your hidden sin and all will be well with you", Eliphaz was in saying to Job.  While confession is a vital part of our daily journey and reconciliation with our sinful selves and perfect Savior, we should never assume that by confessing our sins, our lot in life will suddenly improve.  God doesn't promise that he'll keep our path in this life free from obstacles, hardships or challenges.  What he DOES promise is that he WILL see us through.  He will keep us secure to the end.  Eliphaz missed the mark here completely and, as a result, lost the ability to connect with Job and offer him guidance and support.  How often do we jump to conclusions and miss the mark?

Elihu (Job 34:10-15)
As the youngest of Job's advisers, Elihu's counsel most closely reflected God's answer to Job.  Because of Elihu's inability to communicate (as our devotion says "poor communication skills",)  he was unable to convey the message effectively enough to get Job to listen, buy in and understand.  Of all of Job's friends, I relate to Elihu most of all.  He knew the answers.  He waited patiently to speak out of respect for Job and those with him.  He possessed the most wise and "God like" thinking of the 3 of them.  But what tripped Elihu up was his inability to communicate.  I am Elihu.  I know the answers.  As I age, I've learned to wait, to study, to listen, before rushing in to speak. (I say I've learned, but this is still one of my greatest challenges.)  More often than I care to count, my own mind, tongue and sinful heart work together to make a mess of the Message.  God has written it on my heart.  He has shown me unearned love, Grace and mercy through the sacrifice of His own Son.  He has sent His Holy Spirit to fuel, enrich and grow my faith an understanding.  He does all this and I mess things up by opening my mouth. 

Every time I read or study within the book of Job, I always leave in awe of Job's strength and patience.  I also leave with a fitting and apt case study in the ways that God uses the unwise like myself, to work His perfect plan.

Closing Prayer  (Job 42:1-6)
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Comfortable? Too comfortable?

Comfortable?

Too comfortable?

Or in over your head?
Is the water a little too deep?

I recently had that moment of panic when i ventured into deep water at our local water park.  (I'm not a good swimmer, FYI)

Skip over to Time of Grace for Pastor Mark's thoughts on this...
Pain reminds me that I need God 

It's good to be uncomfortable.
Comfortable brings complacent.
Complacent never turns out well.

Toby Mac echos this thought in his new song "Beyond Me"
Is it so crazy to believe 
  that you gave me the stars, 
  but put them out of my reach?
Called me to waters a little too deep?
Oh,  I've never been so aware of my need.
You keep on making me see.
  It's way beyond me.

But at the same time...
Comfortable?


You should be.
Again for some insight from Pastor Mark...
Pain keeps me looking ahead

It boils down to...where do you look for comfort?
...If it's in your stuff or your place in this world - be prepared for discomfort.
...but if it's in your God and your Savior Jesus Christ...well...

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise to the God of All Comfort
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
  the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 
  who comforts us in all our troubles, 
  so that we can comfort those in any trouble 
    with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, 
  so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 
If we are distressed, 
  it is for your comfort and salvation; 
  if we are comforted, 
    it is for your comfort, 
  which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

And our hope for you is firm, 
  because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, 
  so also you share in our comfort. 

Amen!

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Thankful for...

Your turn - what are you thankful for today?

I thank God for...

http://goo.gl/forms/29cCHRXlHn

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Fresh wind from a new direction...

Last Thursday (August 20th, 2015) I felt a fresh wind from a new direction.

Here in central Texas in the summer it seems like the wind is always hot, dry and from the south. 
Or there's no wind and you feel like you're stepping out into a sauna bath.

But that morning was different.
It was coming from the northwest.  
It was crisp.
It was cool.
It was refreshing.

I reminded me of stories from history class of sailors stuck in the doldrums.
Stuck motionless until a fresh wind from a new direction would fill their sails.

And it reminded me of how easy it is for me to slip into spiritual doldrums.
Stuck motionless and complacent.
No - I'm good, God - I've got it covered.  
Just let me alone here - I'll get this figured out...

No.
I need a fresh wind from a new direction.

Toby Mac sings in his new song Undeniable
"From the hymns that my Daddy sang, I know I was made to glorify your name
...Undeniable, You are, You are, You are!
You're the bright and morning star."
...And (I might add) my fresh wind from a new direction!

I pray...(from Psalm 51:7-15)
Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
    scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;

    I’ll let loose with your praise.
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar(chronological - one chapter per day)

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Bom ba dee dah, bom ba dee dah...

Happy trail to you.
(did you get the song reference in my post title?)

How is your trail today?
Is it hard to see the path?
Not sure where to step?
Does it look REALLY steep?
Not sure if the journey is worth it?

Matthew 7:13
“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."

But also...
Philippians 3:14
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."


But my sinful heart is not interested in the trail.
It plants detours and temptations on my way.

ONLY with my God's help will I stay on the trail.
That's why I NEED help.
I NEED a savior.

And God provided one.
God blazed the trail with his Son Jesus Christ.
For you and for me.

John 3:16-18 
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."


Lord,
Help me stay on the trail.
Remind me that you blazed the trail.
And I just need to look to you for a map.
In your Word.
Happy trails!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Forgive and forget?

This past Sunday our pastor gave us a lot of food for thought about forgiveness.

We were focusing on the 5th petition of the Lord Prayer ("Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.") Forgiven Followers of a Forgiving God

I always love the "bulleted list" for helping me remember stuff..and Pastor delivered a list of "What Forgiveness Isn't...".

Forgiveness is not...

• ...forgetting.  It is choosing to not actively remember.  We don't and physically can't forget some things (it's the way God wired our brains) but we can choose to not actively remember.  That's our choice.  God made that choice with Jesus and us.
• Romans 8:32 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
• The "graciously give us all things" includes the forgiveness that covers every one of my mistakes!
• ...saying "It's okay.".  There is still room for justice and discipline when wrongs have been committed.  I don't know about you - but my default line for anyone when they've done something wrong is "It's okay".  But I don't usually mean it.  I just want this unpleasantness to be over and move on. 
• Instead - Forgiveness is saying "I'm okay.".  I'm a sinner.  Person who wronged me - I live in the same world, make the same mistakes, wrong my family, friends and everyone.  And I'm a saved child of God.  I know what awaits me in heaven, what my purpose is here on earth - and in light of that info - I'm okay!
• ...ignoring the pain.
• Emotional, physical, spiritual pain - it hurts.
• There is no "man up" involved - let it out. 
• Cry, talk, write, sing, scream - don't bottle it up.
• and instead of ignoring - pass the pain to Jesus.  He pleads with me to "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
• ...a project I need to complete.
• It is not a checkmark in my to-do list - "forgive my sister/brother/son/wife/neighbor today".
• It is a process.
• In particular - a prayer-filled process.
• Why?  Because forgiveness is God's work - not yours.
• I need Him to help me with this work it in your life.

We sang this hymn on Sunday and it works well as a prayer, too.

Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness,

For dull content with warmth and sheltered care,

For songs of praise for worldly wealthiness,

While of your richer gifts we're unaware.

Forgive us, Lord, for selfish thanks and praise,

For words that speak at variance with deeds.

Forgive our thanks for walking pleasant ways,

Unmindful of a broken brother's needs.

Teach us to thank you, Lord, for love and grace,

For life and vision, for a purpose clear,

For Christ, your Son, and for each human face

That shows your message ever new and near.

Amen.

I thank God for...

http://goo.gl/forms/29cCHRXlHn

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Jesus on four (or more) wheels...

Toby Mac has dropped a new album ("This is not a test") and I was enjoying the new tunage...

One song - Backseat Driver - got me thinking about how Jesus (or God) shows up in vehicle related songs...(thanks to my brother for the illustration)

• Backseat Driver - Toby Mac
• Jesus, Take the Wheel - Carrie Underwood
• Roll On 18 Wheeler - Alabama

Got some more songs?
Add them to the comments.

And here's one from the original song book...
Psalm 13
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Name the baby

We’ve had quite a few babies born lately.

And baby has got to have a name – right?

Ah – the joy (and stress) – of choosing the right name.

What if someone came along and said – “I’ll tell you what to name your child”?

Not just once – but for all of your children.

The first child is to be named after a city where a despised and despicable act took place. (Jezreel)

The second child is to be named “No-Mercy”.  (Lo-Ruhamah)

And the third (and this is the kicker) is to be named “Nobody”. (Lo-Ammi)

(can you imagine going through grade school with a name like that?)

It happened to Hosea and his wife in Hosea 1.

Oh – and did I forget to mention his wife’s profession?

She was a prostitute.

For some reason I don’t recall hearing this in Sunday School…

Hosea was called by God to do what I would consider unthinkable.

God needed to get his people’s attention – and this was the length he had to go to do it.

Wow.

If God asked me to do something difficult like this – what would I do?

-          Would I say “Show me some ID, please” (like Gideon)?

-          Ask “Are you really, really sure, God? – because I think you’ve got the wrong guy” (like Moses and Moses again here)?

-          Turn tail and run. (like Jonah)?

-          Or any of a 100 other ways to avoid doing something difficult…

God,

What big difficult unthinkable things will you ask me to do?

What have you already asked me to do and I’m ignoring it (hoping it will “just go away”)?

Help me overcome my reluctance and to see, hear and do your will.

Especially the “do your will” part.

Amen.

I thank God for...

http://goo.gl/forms/29cCHRXlHn

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Luggage lost and lemons leveraged...

Lose your Luggage
You and I need to lose our luggage.
Luggage that we pick up as you travel through life.
Luggage that weighs us down.
Emotional luggage.
Spiritual luggage.
Lug. Lug. Lug.
I'm getting tired just writing this.

If you haven't seen it before - this is a powerful picture of you picking up...and losing your luggage.
Skit Guys: Baggage

On Sunday Pastor Daron reminded us to lose our luggage - as we studied the 5th petition of the Lord's Prayer (Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.)
Forgiving Followers of a Forgiving God

We've got to lose our luggage.
Jesus Christ has got it.
God forgave you in Christ.

...And Leverage our Lemons
Related to this thought are the lemons that life gives us.
We're studying the book of Esther this week and my sister shared this "lemony" devotion with us this morning.
Queen Esther beneath the lemon tree

One of the things that struck me was the observation that when life gives me lemons - I want to deflect them to others.  
I lash out in anger at those closest to me because "it's just not fair" or "I don't deserve this."
I throw the lemons at them.
I "unload some luggage" onto them...and add some more to my pile.

If you haven't spent time in the book of Esther lately - it's time to get into the story.

Think about your luggage.
And lose it.

Think about your lemons.
Are they really lemons?
Or a prize in disguise?
Can you leverage that lemon?

And always remember Jesus' promise...
Matthew 11:28-30 
"Come unto me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Hi God,
Today dawned with fresh luggage and lemons for me.
Luggage that I "could" add to my pile.
Lemons that I "could" react to with the sourest face ever.
OR...
Cast my cares on you.
Trust in you.
Believe in you.
Ummm - Let's go with that second bunch (cast, trust, believe).
Thanks so much!
Amen.

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

I'm just saying...

I'm just saying...
==============

The meaning of life is to find your gift.  The purpose of life is to give it away.  
(Pablo Picasso)
==============

1 Timothy 2:4-7

He (God) wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.
==============

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life.  Be happy now.  Don't wait for something else to happen in your life to make you happy in the future. 

(Earl Nightingale)

==============

Romans 12:14-16

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
==============

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. 

(Will Rogers)

==============

Psalm 119:65-66

Do good to your servant
    according to your word, Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
==============

Hi God,

May the words of my mouth show you praise.

Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Nice to next...

I've got an idea.
One to combat my "me first" and "it's all about me" inclination. 

I call it...
Nice to next.
As in "who can I be nice to next?"

Who needs a smile?
Who needs an encouraging word?
Who needs a hug?

Who doesn't?

And what could be nicer to someone than sharing or re-affirming Jesus love for them.

Steal my idea.
Share my idea.
Here's a link to the file.
Download it.
Print it.
Put it on a t-shirt.
Post it.

Who can you be nice to next?
Are they next to you right now?
Romans 12:17-19
Be nice.

Lord,
I can only be nice because you were nice to me first.
Thank you.
And make sure my concept of nice always includes you.
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

TIP: click the Bible Reference and then "more details" to get hyperlinks that open Bible Gateway

What's the big deal about Jesus?

Challenges and Opportunities

I had the privilege to attend our church's national convention.  One of the highlights was an evening session where we received updates on our world mission activities - from the 
people actually responsible for them.

=================
UKRAINE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Our first speaker was the leader of the Ukraine Lutheran Church (the ULC).  He titled his presentation "Challenges and Opportunities".  I was swept up in the drama of their day to day life - as the Ukraine is in an armed conflict with Russia right now.  

The ULC is one of our church body's newest world missions.  But Christianity is not new there.  
On July 28th they celebrated the 1,000th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to the Ukraine.

They have challenges...
- The armed conflict with Russia in eastern Ukraine (7,000 dead, 1 million refugees coming in from Russian territories)
- Some ULC pastors who have medical training are being called into the military.  "When the shepherd is stricken, the sheep will scatter"
-  Russia will only allow four official religions - Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Islam.  No room for Protestants or the ULC.
- The ULC does not have many church buildings.  That makes it difficult because the government does not officially recognize you as a church - unless you have a church building.
- In a country in conflict - they can feel alone and isolated (especially the youth).  Does anyone care?

And opportunities...
- Challenges bring people closer to the possibility of death - and they are much more interested in finding out about God.
- Refugees bring new opportunities to share the Gospel outside the country - from within the country (as they contact their families)
- The ULC invites us as children of God to come to Ukraine (the western and northern parts not touched by the armed conflict) and worship and rejoice with them.  They'd love to have us come and teach Vacation Bible School to children.

He ended by thanking us and rejoicing in Jesus marching orders for all of us (his Church) in Matthew 28:18-20.

=================
MALAWI
One of our church body's oldest world missions is to the country of Malawi.  
It's not a place I knew much about...

It's a small country.  It would fit inside Texas easily - 8 times over.
But it has a population density 5 times that of the United States.  (478 people per square mile)

Their population growth rate (3.3% every year) is the 6th highest in the world.
A mother has 5.7 babies on average (compared with 2.0 in the United States).

But it's not an urban country.  
It's rural - with 80% of the population living in the country and subsistence farming.
They have the lowest per capita income in the world - $250 - A YEAR.
Their average life expectancy is about 30 years less than the United States.

25% do not have access to safe drinking water.
The most prevalent cause of death in Malawi - malaria.

But it's a beautiful country - with beautiful people who need to know their Savior Jesus Christ. 

Our mission churches have 28 in-country (natives to Malawi) pastors serving 40,000 souls.
Do the math - that's 1,430 members per pastor.
They often don't have cars (because in most cases there are no roads for their route). 
They sometimes have motorcycles - usually bicycles.

The pastors can't possibly get to the 130 congregations each week - so lay people lead the worship.  A congregation will see their pastor perhaps once in a couple months.

We have a Lutheran Bible Institute there - solely devoted to training up national pastors for the Malawi church. 

They reminded us of Luke 10:2 - “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

=================
One LA (Latin America)Team
We heard how the Latin American ministries are harnessing technology to spread the Gospel.  Check out Academia Cristo on their website or Facebook.  Their Spanish-language translation of the "Come Follow Me" video gets 1,000 views a day.  They have a live chat team of volunteers around the globe.  They produce videos.

They want to grow teachers of the gospel - eventually culminating in teachers to focus on Hispanic - Cristo Palabra de Vida.

They stressed that their communities so need to hear the free, full, unconditional grace that Jesus Christ brings.  Sola Gratia - by grace alone.

=================
Lord,
Thanks for people who have virtually linked arms around the world to share your Gospel.
Show me how I can help them show You to the world!
Amen.

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

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What's the big deal about Jesus?

Single-minded, focused and relentless...

[based on a devotion from the WELS Synod convention on Thursday 30 July, 2015]

There's a biography of the Wright Brothers that gives insight to Orville and Wilbur Wright. (podcast interviewing the author - David McCullough)

They wanted to fly.

They observed, invented and persisted tirelessly.

Those two brothers were single-minded, focused and relentless.

And those three terms should describe me as a Christian, too.

The first part of Phillipians 1:27 says "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.". 

Whatever happens - be single-minded, focused and relentless in worthy conduct.

Why?  

Is the gospel of Christ worth it?

Indeed.

To quote the commercial - it's "priceless".

Jesus showed us what worthy really means.

The Tour de France is an incredibly difficult bicycle race.  It's made even more difficult by traversing mountains.  They rate the difficulty of each mountain stage and award points accordingly.

The easiest mountain climb is 4C.  Then 3C, 2C and 1C.

The most difficult is called HC.  It stands for Hors Catégorie which is defined as "a climb that is 'beyond categorization'".

Jesus love and sacrifice on the cross for me was an absolute "HC".  A suffering beyond all understanding that gives us a peace beyond all understanding.

We can't be worthy without Jesus.

Not possible.

And we have a lot of trouble being single-minded, focused and relentless without Jesus, too.

Thank God for Jesus!

So that we can rejoice together with the second part of verse 27 - "Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel".

The Wright Brothers - 2 men, one in purpose.

They flew.

The Christian body of believers - millions of us, one in Spirit, one in purpose.

You'll fly!

Wow!

We can pray along with Romans 15:5-6.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN!

Link to daily bible reading calendar (chronological - one chapter per day)

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What's the big deal about Jesus?