tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13156131598036090412024-03-13T04:22:16.780-07:00Aslan's Mane PointBill's Blog - Encouraging and equippingBill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-68219340838461042162022-09-26T16:08:00.003-07:002022-09-27T09:04:08.709-07:00Four Things I Feared<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2DPBsFXfW5AnAXk5tI72-7L_WZpc6Z3SPcU3A2tpRmskuyW-tzTfOYmVpXsqai2Er-UqJWxZSYk1xlybDJoE9ctwTCFISFft-Nf54UL7IR_Kdkj0iPrQjJNhKdytLfj8UYyWQPV4PjOib8GbdaFSB_E2ZgjvR7Kw-pBf0rl-kb2B-stTwQrMERk7aA/s1280/psalm%2056_11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2DPBsFXfW5AnAXk5tI72-7L_WZpc6Z3SPcU3A2tpRmskuyW-tzTfOYmVpXsqai2Er-UqJWxZSYk1xlybDJoE9ctwTCFISFft-Nf54UL7IR_Kdkj0iPrQjJNhKdytLfj8UYyWQPV4PjOib8GbdaFSB_E2ZgjvR7Kw-pBf0rl-kb2B-stTwQrMERk7aA/w400-h225/psalm%2056_11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Four
things that I feared the most: Heights, bridges, rejection, and
lack of control - not necessarily in that order.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first two
represent the fear of pain and death which are common fears to many. Lots of
people fear heights, but my fear of bridges came from trauma. As a child, in
Riverside, Illinois, we had to cross Salt Creek on a suspension bridge on our
way to the public swimming pool. The bridge swayed with the wind and some older
kids swinging it. Once, I was so panicked, I just sat down halfway across and
could not move until someone came and got me. Bridges became an obstacle I had to face. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My third fear, while
less physical, also involves pain and death - not physical pain and death but just
as devastating. It is the pain of knowing or believing that others do not like
us and what they might say or do against us and dying to our own self because
of their attitude.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But we also need to know that fear can be a positive. It can
protect us - fear of sticking your hand in a boiling pot, fear of crossing a
busy street, and fear of displeasing God. Fear can keep you from doing
something stupid, but we should not fear things over which we have no control.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our personal sense
of wellbeing is often determined not by what others think of us, but by what we
think they think about us. It is determined by what we think
that the most significant people in our lives - parents, spouse, boss, pastor, and so forth - think about us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we make God -
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the most important person in our life, and
trust in His love for us, then we can combat all of our fears.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For many, fear is an issue of control - who is in charge? I
learned to fly private planes as a young man working for an electronics company
that owned a couple of Cessnas. On business trips, an instructor came along and
gave us professional instruction. I was never afraid, until my first solo
landing - that was scary. As pilot, I was in control of the airplane. On commercial
flights, my knuckles turned white from gripping the armrests. When flying Delta,
I was not in control. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">King David conquered
his fear when he trusted in God alone.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN">In God, whose word I
praise - in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalms
56:4 NIV.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Evangelist and
theologian John learned from Jesus how to combat fear.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,
because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect
in love. </i>1<sup>st</sup> John 4:18<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The perfection of love is confidence, which is the lack of
fear. When we are confident in the love of God we do not fear. Love and fear
cannot co-exist. If we are fearful, it is not a problem with God's love; it
reflects our lack of trust in His love. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The problem is not whether God loves us, but our ability to
receive His love. Life experience may have broken our own wholeness to the
degree that we cannot fully receive His love. We do not have to be afraid of
someone who loves us. He who loves us most also wants the best for us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Therefore, we can trust God. If we truly trust Him, fear evaporates. </p><p class="MsoNormal">In His Love,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bill Johnson</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span><b>Psalm 27:1 (NIV)</b></span><span class="poetry1"> The <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> is my light and my salvation--
</span><span class="poetry2">whom shall I fear? </span><span class="poetry1">The
<span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">LORD</span> is the stronghold of my
life-- </span><span class="poetry2">of whom shall I be afraid?</span></i></p><p></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-27928067363222154512022-08-04T14:41:00.002-07:002022-08-06T10:59:28.647-07:00Not a Horse or a Mule<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiddTUt42-ktZC_1S2qfvYq5MAer7Uz1rO3ydoRhNYMJgi7FPd-WzAmjFNqgtdoZdymo-HmJJ_P1JQ5DhkQ_rrWqBCMbZcjL0sUcTYqDQToX8-stOXK5jNlZKptpZiqpcOBoRXfdWy3OeetV361kN-NDHsM6EnFVMIHEWwY26-FBCD_oDZG8zwc3zZTw/s1280/horse.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiddTUt42-ktZC_1S2qfvYq5MAer7Uz1rO3ydoRhNYMJgi7FPd-WzAmjFNqgtdoZdymo-HmJJ_P1JQ5DhkQ_rrWqBCMbZcjL0sUcTYqDQToX8-stOXK5jNlZKptpZiqpcOBoRXfdWy3OeetV361kN-NDHsM6EnFVMIHEWwY26-FBCD_oDZG8zwc3zZTw/w400-h225/horse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif">“What do you want to be when you grow up?” </span><p></p><p><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif">That question plagues
me even at this advanced stage of life. It’s not that I don’t know what to do or want
to be, it’s that I am often afraid of failing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Deep down inside of most of us there lies a hidden desire which
we keep stuffed away and are afraid to even think about, let alone attempt to
achieve. We have so suppressed our desire that we often do not even remember
that we ever had one. <a name="_Toc228546789"></a><a name="_Toc228445978"></a><a name="_Toc228445670"></a><a name="_Toc228351062"></a><a name="_Toc228194922">We
bury these desires for a number of reasons:</a> we
convince ourselves that it is only a childish dream, we believe that it is too
incredible to even consider, we are afraid to hope because we are afraid we
will fail, and we do not want to be disappointed again, or people will laugh at
us.<a name="_Toc228546790"></a><a name="_Toc228445979"></a><a name="_Toc228445671"></a><a name="_Toc228351063"></a><a name="_Toc228194923"> So
we stuff the dream</a>, and convince ourselves it
was mere foolishness to even hope. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">You say to yourself, ‘Get a life and find a real career.’”
[Quotation from Destiny, Who am I?Why am I Here?, What do I do Now? <a href="https://books2read.com/u/bzoOOD" target="_blank">https://books2read.com/u/bzoOOD</a> ]<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Lately, I get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and sit down in my
office to pray and spend time with the Lord. After praying a few rote prayers, I got down to the business at hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“Lord, what do you want me to do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Lately, I get the same response - <b>silence.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What’s wrong with me? I seek the Lord and His will in my life, but
the more I pray, the less I hear. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I don’t think I’m the only one that feels this way in seeking the Lord’s guidance. We keep on asking for a sign, a word of
prophecy, something that will point us to our next step in life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Then, I came across Psalm 32:9 in the NIV.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“</span></i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do not be like the horse or the
mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or
they will not come to you.”</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">This scripture hit me right between the eyes. I realized that I have often been a horse or mule - needing a sign in order to move. A wise mentor once told me that God often gives us a choice and either is correct. The important thing is moving. The rudder of a boat cannot influence the boat's direction unless the boat is moving.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">December 1987 was a turning point in our life. My secular
responsibilities and our Lay ministry activities both increased to the
point we could not continue to do both. One had to go. Rita and I spent months
of prayer, not questioning our ministerial call, but questioning the next step that
would lead us toward our goal of full-time ministry. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Soon it boiled down to a choice between two
options. Both required resigning from my company: Stay in San Diego and find a
less taxing job to pay bills while our ministry grew or move to an area where
the cost of living was lower. I had received an interesting offer from a
friend in Seattle who asked if I would be interested in joining him in a
new venture. It would be a less taxing job, so I expressed interest. We had an established ministry
in Southern California but would be starting over in the Northwest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So, like a horse or mule with no understanding, we sought after
the Lord for a word or a sign that would tell us what to do. We were fearful of making the wrong choice. We needed that bit and bridle before we took the next step. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We often are like young people with a desire to accomplish big
things, but afraid to move. Instead, we allow others–parents, well-meaning
friends, and teachers - to set our goals for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It took us until April 1988 to make our decision. It was on a Friday at
a restaurant in Napa, California. Rita was with me on a business trip to
Oakland. As we talked again about our options, it suddenly occurred to us we should move to Seattle. It lifted a ton of emotional bricks from us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With that decision, the wheels rolled. At home there was a
letter from my friend in Seattle whom I had not heard from since December. It contained a firm offer of employment and an apology for the salary offer. It was about half that of my current job,
but exactly what Rita and I had figured out it would take us to live. On Monday
morning, I called my boss back east and alerted him that I was resigning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Later
that day I received a phone call from the head of a para-church organization who
knew I was considering moving to the Northwest. When I told him I would move in
June, he asked if I would become their regional overseer–no salary, but able
to get financial support. In addition, we already had a standing offer to work with an
established ministry in the Seattle area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">God wants us understanding. The Hebrew word translated as "understanding" in Psalm 32 means more
than have knowledge. It means to have knowledge and know what to do with that
knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Over the years, the Lord has led us in several different directions.
But since elementary school, I have had a desire to write and create. In 2001, we
founded Aslan Ministries, Inc. to equip and encourage the
church and its leaders. The Lord told me then, <b>“Write.”</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So today, when I pray asking Him, “What I should do with the rest of my
life?” His silence is understandable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It is as if he is saying, “I already told you what to do. If anything changes, I will tell you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">No more a horse or mule.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Informal Roman"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Calibri Light"; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;">Bill
Johnson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span face=""Calibri Light",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-53351281280863101982022-06-02T12:20:00.002-07:002022-06-02T12:24:06.503-07:00Tulsa Shootings<p><span> </span><span> </span> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_JQYpMcIJkNtHNzJjU4KcH8wmPJeMmNDrc9o3ZFROOuGpvlXuLNhwQ4UwYP983duScbxB0keRqa1jfWDJTqhS9QI2hoa0rx-d6hPLZ-pNzIprmbaKNpCYwr-3ZY73y061wYt07lElua09viSZ93BfR58d2zugyV5SrFYhcDf7RdvSPGh4yveMF65jg/s900/tulsa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_JQYpMcIJkNtHNzJjU4KcH8wmPJeMmNDrc9o3ZFROOuGpvlXuLNhwQ4UwYP983duScbxB0keRqa1jfWDJTqhS9QI2hoa0rx-d6hPLZ-pNzIprmbaKNpCYwr-3ZY73y061wYt07lElua09viSZ93BfR58d2zugyV5SrFYhcDf7RdvSPGh4yveMF65jg/s320/tulsa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>When a tragedy occurs worlds away, we can be very objective. When it happens close to home it becomes personal. Such was the shooting in Tulsa this week.</p><p>Our daughter, Rhonda, has a rare disease which depletes minerals in her body. In order to maintain a balance she must take massive amounts of meds and supplements. Even then, she must occasionally be infused with iron and magnesium. Yesterday, at 3:30 I dropped her, along with my wife Rita, at St Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Since the procedure was to take several hours, I drove home to Broken Arrow to wait for Rita to call when they were ready to come home.</p><p>After feeding the dog, pouring a soda, and grabbing a bag of chips, I turned on the television and saw the special news bulletin from, where else but, St Francis Hospital. Literally dozens of police and rescue vehicles filled Yale Avenue at 65th street. The on-scene reporter described an active shooter situation going down in the Natale Building.</p><p>My first concern was for the safety of Rita and Rhonda in the infusion center which was in the hospitals outpatient department in the main hospital. The Natale building is on the hospital’s campus but houses doctors offices and clinics. My back doctor and the orthopedic clinic was there on the second floor. </p><p>As I watched TV, I was sure that Rita and Rhonda were far enough away that they were safe from the shooter, but being of a practical mind, began to wonder if or how I was to pick them up when they were ready to come home. As I picked up my phone to call them I noticed a text from Rita saying she had been trying to call me and she was worried about me. I dialed her number and the call did not go through, so I texted her back to call me back. While I was trying for the fifth time to get through to her, my phone rang and Rita started berating me for not answering her earlier calls. In emergencies phone service becomes erratic as the networks become overloaded.</p><p>Rhonda’s infusion procedure was cut back and she was released early, I assume because of the shooting incident, and I was able to get to the hospital through a different route coming in the back way.</p><p>At home watching the wall to wall coverage of the event I began to worry about my doctor. One of the reporters had heard a rumor that the shooter was after a certain doctor. </p><p>Today, the Tulsa police chief released the names of the victims which included Dr. Preston Phillips, my back doctor. I spent over two years as his patient and attest to the fact that he was not only a top clinician and surgeon, but he was also one of the finest gentlemen I have known in medicine. He was always thorough and never seemed to be rushed while dealing with me. The hospital CPO stated that Dr Phillips was allowed to “go off the clock” in tending to his patients.</p><p>I do not have any words of wisdom to offer our elected officials. I do not want to share my personal beliefs about why we have so many mass shootings in this country. There are many factors that all contribute. Focusing on only one factor is a recipe for failure. There is no simple answer, but there is an answer, and it means taking a serious analysis of all the contributing factors. </p><p>Earlier in other posts I have noted that once a problem is defined, the solution is easy.</p><p>The problem of violence has not been adequately defined. Yet!</p><p><br /></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-26675497369696855302022-04-13T14:04:00.001-07:002022-04-14T08:37:35.253-07:00Heart Failure<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmFFRBMcVVZ1MSg_yMM50HMErXSwKwwXr6iMp2p4Az30ClYhr754jPj-LQviJD5je6eh93rOTN5AjsRn3gSam5SIQQAPPBCHXcHrTTRaIr1vwXMeDVt6r8EwN7b9bMGzF9kJK7g9q0Lc1LSa9qIPwu3z_grz2dDRLpTOYy6IfxQ5NiSvm8a588RTh-w/s1376/73_26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1376" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmFFRBMcVVZ1MSg_yMM50HMErXSwKwwXr6iMp2p4Az30ClYhr754jPj-LQviJD5je6eh93rOTN5AjsRn3gSam5SIQQAPPBCHXcHrTTRaIr1vwXMeDVt6r8EwN7b9bMGzF9kJK7g9q0Lc1LSa9qIPwu3z_grz2dDRLpTOYy6IfxQ5NiSvm8a588RTh-w/w400-h209/73_26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h4 style="text-align: center;"><i>"My flesh and my heart may fail, <br />but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."<br />[Psalm 73:26]</i></h4><p>As one ages, losing physical dexterity becomes obvious. I first noticed that I was slipping while participating in a parent-child softball game at our church in San Diego. At forty-some years old, they assigned me to play shortstop - a big mistake. </p><p>The first batter on the opposing team hit a drive to short right, fielded neatly on its first bounce by our right fielder. Smartly and adeptly, I covered second base to hold him to a single. As the next batter came to the plate, I went over what to do should the ball be hit toward me - catch the ball, check to see if I could catch the runner coming to second, and if not I would fire the ball to first to get the hitter out. Sure enough, the batter hit a ground ball right at me. My plan was perfect, my execution faulty. By the time I got my hands down to catch the ball, it was already in left field and the runners were advancing.</p><p>That misadventure taught me two things: first, I would never again play softball; and second, planning is important, but execution is required for success.</p><p>While our flesh and our heart may fail, it is God that is our strength to execute and accomplish our purpose in life and achieve our destiny. Failure of the heart leads to failure of the flesh. If our heart is not in what we are doing, then physical success is doubtful</p><p>I learned to play golf right out of highschool and played regularly while in college as a cooperative educational student at Georgia Tech. I studied the game, read books by the greats, and watched the games on TV. My heart was in it. But it wasn't until I got on the course and actually practiced and played that I enjoyed success in the game. </p><p>Our faith is like that. If our heart is not fully in it, we can read the Bible, study theology, and regularly attend church, to no avail. We must also practice our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. </p><p>As we approach Easter, we have been through the forty-plus days of Lent, and we anticipate the celebration of Easter or Pascha. Too often we want to celebrate Easter without the sacrifices of Lent. </p><p><b><i>We want resurrection without going through death. </i></b></p><p>We want the benefits without putting forth the effort. That is heart failure.</p><p>At my current stage of life, physical issues keep me from playing golf, but God allows me to practice my faith and enjoy Him forever.</p><p>In our own strength, we cannot practice our faith with consistency and steadfastness, but through God we can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Happy Easter,</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bill Johnson</span></h3><p><br /></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-65500268203339774252022-02-28T08:37:00.000-08:002022-02-28T08:37:03.397-08:00Are you a turtle?<h2 style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBGQlRTkJUhaf0AjBsj-Pu2vKmxClKahnjiC8ICGrnV7XKsiW4GncrmSVryUtOGWcaUyapLe1K_2YlKuhuHZ5vZPP6zSfkyz_4GSJAZ9c65b3QhRGhPt54s1QesnRjgMkTx-ObiQl40y8TC0N1k0EHxA_5cIHkEI5dAFfIRfcUAXFELfasJoobZrxlkQ=s1280" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBGQlRTkJUhaf0AjBsj-Pu2vKmxClKahnjiC8ICGrnV7XKsiW4GncrmSVryUtOGWcaUyapLe1K_2YlKuhuHZ5vZPP6zSfkyz_4GSJAZ9c65b3QhRGhPt54s1QesnRjgMkTx-ObiQl40y8TC0N1k0EHxA_5cIHkEI5dAFfIRfcUAXFELfasJoobZrxlkQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br />Are you a turtle?</h2><p>That is the question we all asked one another. </p><p>Are you making progress?</p><p>It started when I was a young US Army lieutenant stationed in Germany. As the commanding officer of a new, one of a kind, data communications network, there were no guidelines, experience base, nor directives to fall back on. They left us to our own devices. </p><p>In such a situation, there are commonly two ways one often reacts to required decisions - play it safe or stick your neck out and go for the gusto. Torn between a fear of repercussions and my drive to accomplish our mission, I worried over each challenge. </p><p>Then I came upon that cartoon picture of a turtle with the caption: </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Behold the turtle, He makes progress only when his neck is out.</h3><p>That was my answer. I immediately took a copy of that cartoon to a graphics designer and had him make a small poster that I could hang on the wall. I mounted it on a sheet of Masonite and sealed it with clear plastic. That small poster has hung in all of my offices for the next thirty years. until I lost track of it in a move. I rediscovered it while packing for our move from Mississippi to Oklahoma. It still has my name, military rank, and year typed on the back.</p><p>That short quotation has empowered me over the years. </p><p>There are four things that terrify me; heights, bridges, failure, and rejection. A drive to grow and succeed at my chosen vocation(s) counterbalanced these fears. Growth and success do not come to people who sit by and wait. Inaction guarantees failure.</p><p>Every time I hesitated about deciding, I would ask myself, “Am I a turtle?” Most often I would answer, “Yes.” Several times I stuck my neck out and walked away from very secure and comfortable places, stepping into the strange and unknown. But there were also times when I did not stick my neck out and later regretted the decision.</p><p>I stuck my neck out when I left the security of an established company to help start a new speculative organization. I stuck my neck out when I walked away from industry to enter ministry. Each time I stuck out my neck, it felt as if I was jumping off a cliff into an abyss. But I grew each time. It is always scary, but is rewarding when done for the right reason.</p><p>The original author of the "behold the turtle" quote is unknown. Some have wrongly ascribed it to James B. Conant, a chemist who was the President of Harvard University from 1933 to 1953 who employed this motto during a speech at Wellesley College in 1949, but he did not take credit; instead, he attributed the expression to unnamed atomic scientists. </p><p>The earliest known source of this quote is from a 1945 article describing the cartoon on the wall of an office at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, crafted by an unnamed project engineer working on the Manhattan Project.</p><p>Wherever this adage originated, it sends a powerful message to us all, "Take the risk."</p><p>In the Bible, Abraham, left a comfortable life in the great city of Ur, to go to a desolate land he knew nothing about and he became the father of many nations. The disciples stuck their necks out when they left their jobs, families, and homes to follow Jesus. and they changed an entire world. </p><p>Author Virginia Postrel writes about the major battle for the future of the nation, between “Dynamists” and “Stasists.” </p><p>Dynamists do not fear making mistakes because they grow from their mistakes as a learning process. There is spontaneity and wild abandon in dynamism. We usually can correct mistakes. Creativity flourishes in this environment. </p><p>Stasists feel that they must establish rules and regulations to avoid mistakes. Governmental agencies continue to establish rules and regulations that inhibit creativity and growth. </p><p>Dynamists are the turtles. They stick their necks out.</p><p>How can you determine when it is time to stick your neck out and take a colossal risk? Don't stick your neck out when your life is in a turmoil. That's where too many make a mistake they will regret. </p><p>It is when you are in your comfort zone that it is time to be a turtle. When you are comfortable, there is little progress.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Are you a turtle? Are you making progress?</h2>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-1835872568147333142022-02-01T11:33:00.000-08:002022-02-01T11:33:23.036-08:00The Secret Sauce of Success<p> Do you want more out of your life? The secret to a successful life is not working harder and longer, it is not taking the right pills, or following the right life coach. The secret that will lead you to that great life is relatively simple.</p><p>My passion is helping people to realize their full potential and enjoy life to the fullest extent possible.</p><p>I remember walking along the cliffs of the Torrey Pines Gliderport high above Black’s Beach north of San Diego; I watched the para-sailers riding the updrafts where the Pacific meets the shore. Most were flying solo, but there were also tandems with a novice strapped in with a professional. </p><p>What would it be like to soar through the air, being held aloft by updrafts, and fly up and down the coast, watching surfers in the water and golfers on the adjacent course? </p><p>Suddenly I awoke from my reverie as a red and white tandem parasail overshot its landing zone, startling me and causing a potentially mortal reaction. As I jumped back, I fell over the cliff and headed for the rocks three hundred feet below. Fortunately, I caught hold of a small branch of a bush and stopped falling, but sat suspended in mid-air, unable to crawl back to safety. No one had seen me fall, no one heard my screams for help, and my arms were getting sore from holding me up. </p><p>There was only one thing left to do. I prayed and cried out to God.</p><p>”Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy!” For a time nothing happened.</p><p>Then, as I continued to pray, I heard a voice that I knew was from God, “What do you want?”</p><p>“Help me save me.”</p><p>“Alright, but first let go of the branch.”</p><p>My response to God’s suggestion was, “Is there anyone else up there?”</p><p>As you may have realized by now, this is not a true story, but a parable (no pun intended) The point that I am making is that sometimes we hold on to things that are keeping us from realizing something much better.</p><p>The secret to living an abundant and satisfying life is:</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Don’t hold on to things too tightly.</span></p><p>When you hold on to things too tightly, you may miss out on some very exciting and rewarding things that come along. If you are afraid to let go of what you have, you cannot pick up something new. When you will let go of your security blanket you can grab hold of your destiny.</p><p>At age ten, I wanted to be a soldier, at twenty I wanted to be a writer, at thirty I wanted to be a corporate executive. At forty, I wanted to start a business. Through hard work, persistence, and a little luck and despite my twin fears of rejection and failure, I achieved what I set out to accomplish. But what the world considered success left me unfulfilled and discouraged. </p><p>While my professional life was growing, God was leading me and my wife Rita on a competing spiritual journey. We came to a crossroads and had to make a choice. There I was, hanging on to that small branch that was my career, financial comfort, and an assured future, while calling out to God for help. He told me, “Let go of the branch.”</p><p>We let go of the branch and have never looked back.</p><p>I have written about much of our journey in my book, "Destiny, Who Am I, Why Am I Here and What do I do now."</p><p>The Bible tells us about a guy named Abram, living in luxury in the big city of Ur of the Chaldees. The Lord told him to let go of the branch, leave town, and walk in the desert. Abe did not know where he was going, but let go of his security blanket and became the father of many nations.</p><p>When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they left careers, family, and homes to follow Him, and they helped to change the world.</p><p>Are there things in your life that are holding you back </p><p>Are there things in your life that are holding you back from realizing your destiny, that you are afraid to release? What could you do if you let go of these things?</p><p><br /></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-69170940722233127032021-09-29T13:13:00.001-07:002021-09-29T13:13:20.660-07:00Cancel Culture and King Crab Legs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inDTFQUZFQw/YVTD09K61OI/AAAAAAAAE1g/lDWEzZGcErU67TExozr1Fhtasq1odeR9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s180/cancel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="159" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inDTFQUZFQw/YVTD09K61OI/AAAAAAAAE1g/lDWEzZGcErU67TExozr1Fhtasq1odeR9ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/cancel.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">According to Wikipedia, <i>Cancel culture or call-out culture is a modern form of ostracism in which they thrust someone out of social or professional circles – whether it be on-line, on social media, or in person. </i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I grew up in a simpler time. When something was broken, we fixed it, we didn’t throw it away. They taught us to look for the good in people, not the bad - even in those who hurt us. We found peace in an imperfect world by adjusting our expectations to reali. We understood that the world was not created for our pleasure. It is not about us and our satisfaction.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Today, we see statues of great men and women removed from their place of honor because of their association with an unjust cause or because of a flaw in their character. It doesn’t matter if most of their lives were exemplary - one misstep and they must go. We vilify politicians of the other party and search for a piece of their past that can be used to tar them with the stigma of evil. We remove game-show hosts and TV personalities because of an ancient Face Book post. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">People spend too much time looking for the bad in others, when we should be looking for the good.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Several years ago, my company hosted a group of Nationalist Chinese business people at our office in San Diego. Our meeting continued into the evening. As dinner time approached, I asked the leader of the group what kind of food they would require.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“We have eaten only in Chinese restaurants since we have been in the United States,” he responded.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Would you be open to try something different?” I queried.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">“Oh yes,Thank you.”</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At my favorite waterfront seafood restaurant, we all sat at a large table. The Chinese government official - a rather large officious lady sat directly across from me. At the recommendation of the group leader, she ordered something she had never had before - Alaskan king crab legs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yejAG0708kc/YVTFcROgm_I/AAAAAAAAE1w/8D8C4npVF3QcARd4MLpkRtTgrB0UHiIVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1351/king%2Bcrab2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yejAG0708kc/YVTFcROgm_I/AAAAAAAAE1w/8D8C4npVF3QcARd4MLpkRtTgrB0UHiIVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w178-h200/king%2Bcrab2.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">The orders came out, and our lady across the table stared down at her plate, and before I could offer some help in how to crack the shell and exhume the delicious meat, she picked up a whole crab leg - shell and all, took a gigantic bite, and began to spit out crab shells while savoring the meat inside. While her approach to eating crab legs was not what we all expected, it worked for her, and we can all learn a valuable lesson.</span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There are too many people today that spit out the good in others while chewing the bad. </span></p><p>Our broken political system results from people see only bad in their opponents. They are not willing to accept good ideas from the other side. They are not willing to admit that there is anything good in their political foes.</p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We need to take a big bite, spit out the bad and enjoy the good. </span></p><p>When listening to others, look for the truth and throw away the false. </p><p>In Jesus’ parable of the "Wheat and the Tares," a man planted a field of grain and while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares in the field. When his servants saw the tares, they asked the owner whether they should gather up the tares. The owner replied,<i> “No because when you gather the tares you will also uproot the grain. Let both grow until the harvest, then you can separate them.” [Matthew 13:24-30]</i></p><p>We live in a fallen world, and as a result, life can be difficult. Peace will come only when we discover what God wants us to change and work on and then go do that. </p><p>Success is not canceling those with whom we disagree, nor remaking the world to our liking. </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happiness comes in finding and celebrating the good not the bad. </b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Bill Johnson</span></i></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-60938207672471633562021-08-30T15:10:00.002-07:002021-08-30T15:10:58.051-07:00Crisis Overload<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdEHypSMNB4/YS1SRhw6guI/AAAAAAAAEz0/FKTrC1tzwM8QZPoc9V4pxWZatF0Ok830gCLcBGAsYHQ/s433/wall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="433" height="162" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdEHypSMNB4/YS1SRhw6guI/AAAAAAAAEz0/FKTrC1tzwM8QZPoc9V4pxWZatF0Ok830gCLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h162/wall2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VenxJNK25aY/YS1R99nHP8I/AAAAAAAAEzs/bdX7JUKcvPA-5kFHthE9C9RKJ8wqUi2JACLcBGAsYHQ/s296/terror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="296" height="115" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VenxJNK25aY/YS1R99nHP8I/AAAAAAAAEzs/bdX7JUKcvPA-5kFHthE9C9RKJ8wqUi2JACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h115/terror.jpg" width="200" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>I don’t know about you, but I am in crisis overload. The TV news hits us with news of the mishandling of the Afganistan,situation, hurricane Ida’s destructive march through Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts north and east, and the latest COVID-19 statistics.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyvV33vvQO4/YS1Uodh2YxI/AAAAAAAAE0E/MZAW8r5_I88x3O94_epbAUvSWV5lZqagACLcBGAsYHQ/s600/covid%2Bmasl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyvV33vvQO4/YS1Uodh2YxI/AAAAAAAAE0E/MZAW8r5_I88x3O94_epbAUvSWV5lZqagACLcBGAsYHQ/w200-h180/covid%2Bmasl.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then last evening we heard our grandson has tested positive to the disease and his father is awaiting the results of his test, and my wife, Rita, woke up last night with severe pains that she had never experienced before.</p><p>Is it enough to cause one to wonder, “Where is God?” </p><p>But, having reached this ripe old age, I have not only God’s word to fall back on, but also life experiences that convince me of God’s love and give me peace in these desperate times. </p><p>The Lord has pulled, pushed, and carried me through storms that resulted from my stupid blunders, those of others, and the fallen nature. I know </p><p>He is in still in charge.</p><p>The first time I ever heard God’s voice was many years ago, when I was at the lowest point in my life, and wanted out. My life was in turmoil. I was sliding deeper into a pit of destruction and didn’t know what to do. Laying in bed that night, I cried out to God for help and to tell me what I should do to break free. He immediately answered my prayer with three words.</p><p>“Your big toenail!”</p><p>The Lord doesn’t always speak clearly or in an easily understood way, but there was no doubt what He wanted me to do - Nothing,just trust Him o work things out.</p><p>Several years earlier, in the midst of a late Friday night bowling match, my sixteen pound bowling ball fell off the rack landing on my big toe. On Saturday, I played a round of golf standing on one leg. By Monday the toe had swollen so much I cut the front out of an old shoe so I could go to work. Seeing the condition of my foot, both my boss and my secretary insisted I go to the hospital immediately.</p><p>At the ER, they took X-rays of the damaged digit and set me in a large, darkened exam room. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noted a series of light boxes along the left wall. Soon the technician came in with my x-ray pictures and stuck them on the light boxes, so they were clearly visible. </p><p>Important questions came to mind. What would be the treatment for a broken big toe? How big a cast would be required? Could I still work? Could I even walk? My thoughts were interrupted as three interns came in, examined the X-ray pictures, snickered among themselves, marveled at the dangers of bowling, and walked out unsuccessfully trying to hold back laughter. Later, a few more came with the same reaction - serious examination, giggling, and departing without a word to me. Twelve different interns and three nurses examined my X-rays without even acknowledging my presence.</p><p>After what seemed like hours of impatient waiting, the doctor came in, checked the X-rays and sat down across from me. Without saying a word, he grabbed my foot in his two hands, put both thumbs on my big toe and squeezed. That pain was several orders of magnitude worse than that of the bowling ball’s impact, which had been somewhat anesthetized by consumption of adult beverages. He put a Bandaid on the toe, gave me his business card, and told me to come see him in three weeks.</p><p>Stunned by the total lack of medical care, I asked, “but, what about the toenail?”</p><p>“Don’t worry. It will fall off by itself in a short time.”</p><p>In God’s three word response to my prayers, The Lord was telling me, “Don’t worry, your problems will fall,off by themselves in a short time.”</p><p>Within two months, I accepted a new position, moved half way across the country, left my problems behind, and started a new life.</p><p>God acted on my behalf and told me not to worry.</p><p>Today, while the world is spinning out of control, I am confident that God is still on His throne and He will lead each of us through whatever crisis we face.</p><p>I realize that each one that is reading this message is facing things they never expected, the loss of a loved one, major surgery, test results which might change your world, a deadly disease, or some other obstacle to your peace. All I can say is God will bring you through this time and He is saying to you,</p><p>“Do not worry, I will see you through this and it will be only for a season.”</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Bill Johnson</i></span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-52317003612625429872020-10-11T15:50:00.001-07:002020-10-11T15:51:46.970-07:00An Act of Love<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MoNwH74AIrQ/X4OL5nhuhqI/AAAAAAAAEoI/GTRnEOgoSbUQJJg50kgocH5Pisfv4qyRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/listening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MoNwH74AIrQ/X4OL5nhuhqI/AAAAAAAAEoI/GTRnEOgoSbUQJJg50kgocH5Pisfv4qyRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/listening.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> If you truly want to show love to someone, learn how to listen to them. <p></p><p>After over fifty years of marriage, I have learned that when my wife has a problem that she wants to tell me about; she does not want me to fix it for her. She wants me to just listen. Still, I can’t resist the urge to fix her. I want to analyze the problem and propose a solution. </p><p>Wrong! She wants to share how she feels and just wants me to listen. </p><p>Listening is an act of love, it's one of the greatest acts of love that we can give to another person. Statista.com estimates we will spend over $238 billion in 2020 for mental health services in the US alone.</p><p>That includes payment to hospitals, psychologists, and psychiatric services, but doesn’t include voluntary services of church and clergy. Ordinary people who are good listeners could reduce or eliminate much of these costs.</p><p>We all have a story to tell. This year has been wild, a pandemic, racial unrest, political intrigue, and an overactive hurricane season. Survivors of catastrophic events have a story to tell and need a place where they can share. Survivors of violence, abuse, and danger all have stories to tell and telling is cathartic.</p><p> Recently I watched an Internet podcast by a survivor of a recent hurricane as they described the storm and its aftermath. As I listened, I couldn’t help but think about my own experiences of Camile, Katrina, and several other lesser storms. </p><p>As I listened, I kept thinking, “I'd love to tell him about my dealing with Katrina.” For a moment I considered sending them a comment with my story. Then I realized what I was doing, yes I had a story, but this was their story to tell and I must give them the courtesy of listening.</p><p>I’m sure that survivors of earlier epidemics, when hearing survivors of our recent pandemic share their stories, are anxious to tell their story. Survivors of the Titanic must have been chafing at the bit while listening to the Andrea Doria survivors forty years later telling their stories, and survivors of the Swine Fly pandemic of 2009-20010 which infected over one and a half billion people, want to tell their story while listening to the COVID-19 survivors tell their story.</p><p>We don't listen to other people because we are thinking about the story we want to tell them and waiting for the opportunity to jump in when they slow down or pause for a second. </p><p>That reminds me of a story I once heard about a man that survived the Johnstown flood on May 31, 1889 which killed over twenty-two hundred people when a dam broke. This survivor always wanted to tell his story of survival, but people kept putting him off. He died seventy-five years later without ever telling his story. When he arrives in heaven, he thinks, “This is heaven I know I can tell my story here.</p><p> So he talks to Saint Peter who seems to be in charge and Saint Peter says, “That's wonderful, we have a time where people get to share their stories of bravery and survival and you can tell your story. I'll just check the schedule and plug you in at the next opening.”</p><p> Later, Saint Peter comes up to the man and tells him he is on the schedule. “You are on the schedule to tell of your survival in the Johnstown flood. That's the good news.”</p><p>The man stared at Peter with a quizzical look on his face and asked, “Good news? Is there bad news? What's the bad news?</p><p>Peter responded, “You will share right after Noah tells his story.”</p><p> It's so hard to listen to others while we wait to insert our comments. That's why communications has become so garbled in our modern world. We do not seriously listen and that is why we cannot get along. Our minds are too busy thinking about what we want to that we can't hear others. When we cannot hear what they are saying, we misunderstand and jump too often false conclusions. It would be a different world and we would all get along better if we could listen better.</p><p>Listening is valuing others. When we listen to others, we give clear evidence that we value what they have to say, and therefore value them. </p><p>Proverbs 12:15 <i>Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to advice </i>(NRSV)</p><p>James 1:19 <i>So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.</i></p><p>How we listen and respond</p><p>Romans 12:15-17 <i>“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”</i></p><p>Humility sensitizes our spiritual hearing, whereas pride dulls our ability to hear. </p><p>Wouldn't it be great if we started a ministry of listening, listening without an agenda, listening without trying to tell our story, can we do this? </p><p>I don't know,</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> but we need to try. The next time your best friend, spouse, child, or parent wants to tell you something, try to listen;<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Listen without thinking about what you're going to say, </li><li>Listen without disagreeing </li><li>Listen without interrupting </li><li>Listen with your mind, listen with your soul, listen with your heart. </li><li>Try to understand what they're saying.</li><li>Try to understand what they're feeling. </li><li>Try to understand them in this way and you will be showing them great love. </li></ul><p></p><p>You will probably eliminate a lot of arguments and you might learn to love them deeper hand </p><div><br /></div>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-67642759438989070852020-09-08T16:16:00.000-07:002020-09-08T16:16:54.601-07:00 Truth or consequences II<p><i>[ I originally wrote this article in 2003, but felt it is worthy of repeating</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><i><br />; </i><i>Bill Johnson]</i><p></p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOply_ZlMPg/X1AeHxHKHYI/AAAAAAAAElk/NGIyCd3vtpEHfJtWmUp64gkBzuwVc0vDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s296/terror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="296" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nOply_ZlMPg/X1AeHxHKHYI/AAAAAAAAElk/NGIyCd3vtpEHfJtWmUp64gkBzuwVc0vDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w370-h213/terror.jpg" width="370" /></a>When I was a child growing up there was a radio program and
later it was placed on television, named “Truth or Consequences”. They gave contestants difficult, sometimes
impossible questions to answer. If they
failed to tell the truth - gave the wring answer - they had to pay the
consequences. The consequences were to perform some embarrassing acts that required suffering. There had no choice, if they missed, they had
to pay the consequences. After they paid
the consequences, they received a prize for their efforts.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>I grew up realizing that all of my actions had consequences - some were good and some bad. It was a simpler
time.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Our neighbor’s chicken house intrigued me and my friend Norman. We</o:p> loved to go in and scare the chickens. It was fun to watch them squawk and fly away
as we invaded their privacy. Once, a chicken flew into a window that was not open, breaking the pane and
causing a cut on the chicken's leg which bled profusely. We tried to sneak quietly away, but got
caught. Before I got home, my grandfather was waiting for me ready to mete out a stiff penalty. We had to
pay the consequences for our mischief.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Fate was against me, </o:p>every time I did something bad, I got caught and had to pay the consequences. Cheating in school was not an option. I was a terrible liar, so I always got caught.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>T</o:p>he thought of consequences was a strong deterrent to bad actions. I had heard gruesome stories and watched those dark videos in school about the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases, and that was before AIDS became
common. </p><p class="MsoNormal">The deterrent for bad behavior was that you would always be caught and then
there would be consequences to pay. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Our society has changed. Today there is a laxity in enforcing the rules and even civil law. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Now imagine a basketball or football game without referees. And you can visualize the problem. The biggest or meanest kid wins.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Several years ago, a new police chief came to
town to try to make a dent in the growing crime rate. One of his first orders was to enforce all laws, including the speed limit on the <st1:street w:st="on">Interstate Highway</st1:street> during the morning
rush hour.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You could hear the squawks of all those decent
citizens,<i> “We hired you to put an end to the growing crime rate, not bother us
upright citizens.” </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What the people didn't realize was that upholding the law does not
mean to let lesser kinds of lawlessness pass and then stop it when it
gets violent. If there is no consequence
to a minor infraction, people will continue to push the envelop until they get stopped and have to face consequences. Once you go too far
into lawlessness, it is difficult to stop.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our society insists upon eliminating the
consequences for whatever actions people want to take. Today, rather than face the consequences, society provides ways of reducing the consequences. Abortion has become an easy
way to eliminate the consequences of extra-marital sex. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today we are fighting Islamic fundamentalist terrorism on
our own shores. Suicide bombers do not mind blowing themselves up as long as
they take people with them. In their
mind, the consequences for their actions are a blessing in heaven.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have to take another look at consequences. If you don't tell the truth, you have to face
the consequences. If you destroy someone else's property, there must be consequences. Most people realize that there are many factors which
cause an individual to take part in riots, looting, violence, and other anti-social activities, but there have to be consequences for these acts. Some would rather blame society for creating the
atmosphere in which they take theses actions. It does not matter why people do these things, it is their choice. But there must be consequences for their actions. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Changing people is not accomplished by allowing them to escape the consequences of their actions, but by ensuring that there are consequences.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-43710912646151477592020-08-27T09:02:00.008-07:002020-08-27T09:49:36.838-07:00My Desert Storm<p> As I am writing this, Hurricane Laura is closing in on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, and it makes me wonder, "Why." </p><p>Why do we have storms? Is there any prophetic meaning in them? Some writers have speculated that it is God's vengeance on sin, but I am not so sure about that. I do believe that there is a correlation between the physical world and the spiritual realm. However, it's far more complex than simply attributing disasters to God's vengeance. </p><p>We need to pay attention to these signs and learn from them.</p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I never knew what trusting
God meant until the day I lost my eyesight during "Operation Desert
Storm." No, I wasn’t in that war in Iraq. In fact, it had been over twenty years since I wore a uniform. We were thousands of miles away in Southern California, a few miles from the back gate of Camp Pendelton, the home of the 1st Marine Division which was fighting in Iraq. We were</span><st1:place style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0in;" w:st="on"> </st1:place><span style="text-indent: 0in;">leading a renewal event at a church in </span><st1:city style="text-indent: 0in;" w:st="on">Vista</st1:city><span style="text-indent: 0in;">, CA. where many of the </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">families were praying for their loved ones deployed to the Middle East. </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Driving through the glaring sun and afternoon heat of the San Pasqual Valley on highway 78, my friend Mylon was driving while I navigated. We were on our way to visit an elderly family who were unable to attend our meetings because of illness. I had directions on the border of a local map that now lay in my lap. Suddenly, something unexplainable happened. </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Like most
sighted people, I took my vision for granted. Eyesight is important for reading, viewing a computer screen, observing nature, and people watching. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> I love the changing colors of fall, the snow-covered trees in winter, and the vibrant blossoms breaking forth in spring. It is a spiritual experience as God reveals
Himself through His creation.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> Wh</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">en you can't see these things, a large part of your life disappears,</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">One minute all was fine. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">The next minute, I could not see. </span></span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">The map in my lap disappeared into a black abyss. Looking up to the road ahead, all I could see was a halo of kaleidoscopic colors with a dark center. </span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">My immediate reaction was not fear or panic, but curiosity as I analyzed the situation. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I shut my
right eye, leaving the left open, then reversed the order. There was no difference.
Whatever happened had happened to both eyes.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I leaned back in my seat, closed my eyes, and told Mylon he would have to get us to our destination by himself. I remembered enough of
the map to give some help. Mylon</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> wanted to take me to the
hospital immediately, but I refused.</span></p><p><span style="text-indent: 0in;">"No, we have to see these people. There
will </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">time later to see a doctor."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">We Arrived at our
destination, and Mylon led me to the front door. Our host invited us in and down a cool,
dark hallway. It felt good after the bright sun and dusty </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">Santa Ana winds outside. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; text-indent: 0in;">As we passed into a well-lit bedroom, our host introduced us to his sister, laying in the bed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Somewhere between the front door and the bedroom, my sight had returned to normal.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">As we visited, we discovered that the man was visually impaired. He explained that he lost his sight after finishing a round of golf when he bent over to retrieve his ball. Instantly, he lost his sight. He described his blindness as seeing colors and figures around the periphery, but the center of his vision was like a black hole. It was identical to my recent experience.</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> He seemed content with his condition and admitted that it had given him opportunities to develop relationships in the church that would not have happened if his sight was normal. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">W</span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">e felt that my experience might have been a sign that we were to pray for the man's eyesight to return. We did, but had no sense that God was healing him. We
also prayed for God to heal his sister, which had an immediate effect. As far as we know, the man is still without sight, but
his sister was up and walking the next day for the first time in several months.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">I am not sure what happened
that day, but three possibilities come immediately to mind. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">1. God allowed me to
experience the man’s condition so I would be
more understanding and know how to pray for him; </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">2. I experienced the same condition, and God healed me instantaneously. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">3. The Lord sent a storm into my life to get my attention.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Theologically, it makes a
difference which of these is true, but to me it doesn't really matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;">I learned a very valuable lesson.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Rita and I had been following Christ for several years, we were ministering beyond the local church, leading conferences and training events, and I was preparing for full-time ministry. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Like many, I trusted God, but fear held me back from freely following the Lord. I was playing it safe. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">If I kept one foot planted firmly on the ground over which I had control, I could stretch the other foot out over the rough waters of
uncertainty. Like Peter
hearing the Lord's voice and trying to walk on water, I wanted to take the big step, but fear prevented it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Then on that day I lost my sight, I came face to face with the realization of my vulnerability; How could I trust myself to be in control if I could not protect myself from losing something valuable, like my eyesight? Everything I had could be taken from me in a second. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">We live in a dangerous world, pandemics, wars, violence, and severe weather. We are not in control, but we cannot just hide from trouble, we have to live life. So let's trust in God, not just for our eternal destiny, but for our life here and now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">I had to trust God for everything. </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">That day, I decided to no longer play it safe. I would follow the Lord wherever He led. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">That very day, the war in the Persian Gulf ended, and </span><st1:place style="text-indent: 0in;" w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place><span style="text-indent: 0in;">'s longest drought in recorded
history ended. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Within a month, we made decisions that forever changed our life.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">When God calls, it is time to take on tasks that will stretch you beyond your comfort zone, so that you become dependent
upon Him. Take such action that if He doesn't show up, you will fail dismally.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">It is well worth the trip. </span></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-15517080584235806732020-08-11T14:32:00.003-07:002020-08-13T08:57:25.396-07:00When Storm Clouds Gather<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A287DDai21M/XzMI82F4GMI/AAAAAAAAEi8/--JQskc3lk4DSFNIygOUdVxgyhjspwmpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s959/sailboats.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="959" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A287DDai21M/XzMI82F4GMI/AAAAAAAAEi8/--JQskc3lk4DSFNIygOUdVxgyhjspwmpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w410-h230/sailboats.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a great day for sailing. A steady six knot offshore breeze was just enough to keep us comfortable as we anchored a thousand yards out in the Mississippi Sound observing the sailboat races sponsored by the Pascagoula Yacht Club. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our boat was a twenty-three foot John Allmand, Ticonderoga we named “Myrioko,” meaning “attraction” or “fascination.” It had been my dream to own a boat, and then living on the Gulf Coast, my dream had become a reality. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSUzxnPN-xQ/XzMK2TB_L3I/AAAAAAAAEjc/OaYYkzZF-IMbIUuYIaE-YxNmFcRARWEWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s479/John-Allmand-Ticonderoga-23-9735601.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="479" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bSUzxnPN-xQ/XzMK2TB_L3I/AAAAAAAAEjc/OaYYkzZF-IMbIUuYIaE-YxNmFcRARWEWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w306-h198/John-Allmand-Ticonderoga-23-9735601.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My crew that day consisted of a couple of friends and a Seaman 1st class from Coast Guard Station, Pascagoula. As an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, we were on the rotation for patrol one weekend each month. This was our weekend and our assignment was to monitor the sailboat races. At about four PM, most of the larger sailboats had finished and their crews were back at the club eating and having some adult beverages as the children and youth continued tracing in their Sunfish and other smaller sailing craft. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKnMBm1oPCQ/XzMKASM9PxI/AAAAAAAAEjM/0MShmUwEW1celeU7MMPQ0ZGPxx8ddpMAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/sunfishraces.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="512" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKnMBm1oPCQ/XzMKASM9PxI/AAAAAAAAEjM/0MShmUwEW1celeU7MMPQ0ZGPxx8ddpMAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h217/sunfishraces.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">On such a beautiful calm day, what could go wrong?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wng1x8qI4yY/XzMJMMj94xI/AAAAAAAAEjA/UzCuRAajRHwv6nvCDuXKzZjxzoi60E_bwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/wall3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wng1x8qI4yY/XzMJMMj94xI/AAAAAAAAEjA/UzCuRAajRHwv6nvCDuXKzZjxzoi60E_bwCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h384/wall3.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The time it took from my spotting the wall cloud until it hit the race course was less than three minutes. We raised the anchor, pointed the bow into the wind and prepared to ride out the storm. The wind, rain, and hail rammed us like we had run into a wall and the temperature dropped twenty degrees. I climbed down from the flying bridge and took control in the cabin. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The radio blasted a frantic message from shore, “Boats over - kids in the water!” The “Myrioku” held steady as the Chrysler 350 I/O kicked in and held us straight on course to the first capsized Sunfish. As we pulled alongside and pulled the young sailor from the water, he appeared to be in shock as they wrapped him in blankets and lay him on bed. Then we received directions to the next boat. By this time the rain was so intense the wipers could not keep up, I was flying blind. We had to steer by compass and get directions from the crew on deck. I had never been aboard a small boat like this in such a storm. In fact, I am not sure I have ever been outside in that kind of storm. It was sheer terror all the while the storm lasted. The adrenalin was pumping, and we had a job to do. But I did not feel capable in handling it, nor was I sure my boat could perform. All I could do was pray, ask the Lord to guide me. and trust those around me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">When the storm had passed, I was proud of the “Myrioko” and how she had stood up to the storm. On the other hand, I was a mess physically and emotionally. But we had done all we were asked to do with six scared young sailors on board, wrapped in blankets, and still shaking from the now chilly air or their extreme ordeal. We were headed back to the Yacht club, to reunite the kids with their parents, when we received a radio call to go help an eighteen foot catamaran that had been turned upside down close to shore, about a quarter mile away.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">It was an interesting sight, this catamaran with its mast stuck in the sand and two would be sailors wading in the waist deep water. We got as close as we felt was safe and threw them a line. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, we were able to right their ship and offer them a tow back to the club house as the winds had quit entirely. As true sailors, they refused a tow from a "stinkpot" and thanked us for our help. We returned to the Yacht Club with our precious cargo.</p><p>That was a day, I will never forget, and it taught me several life lessons:</p><p>1. There will always be intense storms in your life.</p><p>2. They will not last forever, they will pass almost as quick as they arrive.</p><p>3. You do not know how strong you are until you are tested by the storm.</p><p>4. You are much stronger than you believe you are.</p><p>5. When in the midst of a storm, keep moving into the storm. Meet it head on. If you try to run from it, or hide from it, it will hurt you.</p><p>6. Always, always have positive people around you that you trust to help, encourage, and support you.</p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I invite your comments.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Bill Johnson</span></i></p>Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-78748444628717299802020-07-15T11:40:00.003-07:002020-07-15T11:40:45.512-07:00Stop Worrying - It doesn't help!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever since I can remember, I have been a foodie and collector of restaurants, always seeking a novel experience. In a previous life, traveling was part of my job description and dining on an expense account a perk. The places I remember most are the ones with the best food, service, and atmosphere. For instance, Keen’s Chophouse in New York City, served a calves liver steak that was out of this world, and after dinner I could call for tobacco and my churchwarden pipe, which hung from the ceiling along with those of Babe Ruth, Teddy Roosevelt, Will Rogers, and many thousands more. </div>
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The Longfellow House in Pascagoula, MS, where the poet presumably wrote some of his best stuff, served a Crabmeat au gratin you would die for. Who says you don’t mix cheese with seafood? Then there was; She Crab Soup at the Kitty Knight House on Maryland’s Eastern Shore; Prime Rib and strawberry shortcake at Boston’s Durgin Park; Pompano en papillote at Antoine's and Eggs Hussarde for breakfast at Brennan’s both in New Orleans. </div>
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Each fine dining experience left a lasting impression, but one changed my life. </h3>
That one dining experience had a spiritual impact that kept drawing me back. The setting was so exceptional that I don't even remember the food, although I am sure it was great.<br />
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Two miles inland from Kaneohe Bay on the windward side of Hawaii’s island of Oahu lies the Haiku Gardens and its restaurant, Haleiwa Joe’s. Entering the restaurant, the hostess will lead you around an enormous salad bar - with many tropical fruits and salad mixings - then if you are lucky - out to the lanai where your table overlooks the gardens below and the mountains in the distance. The gardens are set on the rim of a long extinct volcano, where bright colorful flowers grow wild in the lush jungle. </div>
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Everything not blooming was a brilliant shade of green. I had never seen the variety of colors outside a flower show. Hundreds of black Mynah birds, boldly visited the diners and enjoyed the crumbs on the floor. Some even landed on tables and attempted to eat off plates. About one hundred below, on the floor of the crater, was an acre of clearing. The grass in the clearing was neatly cut. The gardener had piled grass clippings in one corner waiting burning.</div>
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In the clearing was a small pond with a gazebo. A foot bridge allowed people to walk out to the gazebo. On that first visit, there was a wedding in the gazebo, and we had a ring-side seat. </div>
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The entire vista felt like landing in the Garden of Eden. Immersed in the peace and beauty of the setting, Jesus' instruction in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 12 came to mind;<br />
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Then Jesus said to his disciples: <i>"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the [MYNAH’s]: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? </i></div>
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Jesus prescribes the proper attitude of His followers. It is a warning against worry. He tells them not to worry about their life.<br />
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Is this possible?<br />
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Fear and worry are intertwined. In these unsettling days there is cause for concern for our health and wellbeing. When there is fear, we worry. When we fear that our needs will not be met, we worry. When we are not in control we worry. Worry is the fear of insufficiency.</div>
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Jesus gives us a loving command, “Do not worry!”<br />
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We often fail to appreciate what damage worry does in our lives. Research clearly shows that stress deteriorates our immune systems; people under constant or high stress show lower T-cell counts, essential for immune response. Stress has a definite effect fertility. Prolonged stress affects the brain, it makes a person less able to respond to future stress. Stress is also related to sudden heart failure.</div>
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We don't have to point out that these are stressful times in our nation and in the world. Everyone feels stressed from time to time, over half of all Americans say they feel stressed out at least once a week. Only ten percent say they never feel stressed.<br />
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Myna birds picking up crumbs under my table at Haleiwa Joe’s didn't worry where their next meal was coming from. God sees to it that they have food. If the restaurant closed, they would go back to feeding off the plants and trees in the jungle below.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Worry doesn’t stop because we close our eyes to our circumstances, but because we know a loving God is greater than all our needs. Worry is not productive, the stress it brings in our life does nothing but destroy. Trusting in God makes sense; if He takes such good care of the birds, the flowers, and the grass, won’t He take care of us, His children? Worry can’t make you live longer, and worry can’t make you any taller. If it is futile to worry about small things that are out of our control, it is even more futile to worry about big things even further out of our control.</span></div>
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Instead of worrying, Jesus wants us to have a child-like faith in Him. Children don’t worry about paying the bills, or such things. They live lives of simple trust in their parents. </div>
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God cares for the flowers, but every day is not sun and sweetness for the flowers. If every day was sunny without clouds and rain, the flowers would die quickly.<br />
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God’s intention is that your attention be on His kingdom and His treasure, not the treasures of this world. </div>
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<i>And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. </i></div>
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<i>"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. </i> </div>
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But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. </h3>
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We can seek God in what we do every day; For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The correlation between where your heart is and where your treasure is isn’t a suggestion; it is a simple fact. If you regard your material possessions as your treasure, then your heart is set here on this earth.<br />
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How can we ignore all the worries and seek His kingdom? Do not hold on to any physical thing too tightly, hold on to eternal things.<br />
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It was not too long after my first visit to Haiku Gardens that an incident that could have devastated me, tested my renewed faith. I lost my eyesight for almost an hour while on a mission trip, While I have to admit I was concerned, but did not panic. </div>
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Believe that God loves you and wants the very best for you!</h3>
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Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-49816103271405259752020-06-27T14:11:00.000-07:002020-06-28T13:20:26.917-07:00What ever happened to her?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you read about a character in the bible, don't you often wonder, "What ever happened to them?" Like: whatever happened to the Good Samaritan, whatever happened to the Demoniac after Jesus left town, or what became of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well? </div>
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I think that would make for some interesting blog material.</div>
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Radio personality and newscaster Paul Harvey had a program I loved and tried not to miss. Its was called, "The rest of the Story." In this five-minute segment, he would discuss significant events in the life of a well-known person, and then - after a commercial - he would tell an amazing story about the person that was mostly unknown.</div>
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John the Evangelist describes the event when Jesus met a woman at "Jacob's Well" near the Samaritan town of Sychar, He showed His love by engaging her in a serious conversation. As a Samaritan, she was an outcast and unclean with five unsuccessful marriages, and was now living with a man who is not her husband. She had little to recommend her to Jesus. But He saw beyond her disqualifications. He saw her as one created for true love. He saw beyond her sin. Jesus saw her as one destined for a genuine relationship with God and with her fellow humanity. Jesus knew she was a bearer of His image and likeness. He beheld the accurate image in her. Despite her brokenness, He saw her as one created for a worshipful union with God and complete relationships with others. He invited her to partake of the living water of His love. </div>
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We read in John's Gospel how this woman went into town and proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah to all who would listen, but did you ever wonder whatever happened to her after this encounter with Jesus?</div>
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<br />Here is the rest of the story.</h3>
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Baptized on Pentecost along with her five sisters and two sons, she took the name Photini meaning the enlightened one and followed the apostle John. </div>
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She then began a missionary career, traveling far and wide, preaching the good news of the Messiah's coming, His death and resurrection. When Nero, the emperor of Rome, persecuted Christians, Photini and her son Joseph were in Carthage, in Africa, where she was preaching the Christian gospel. After Jesus appeared to Photini in a dream, she sailed to Rome. Her son and many Christians from Africa accompanied her. Photini's arrival and activity aroused curiosity in the capital city. Everyone talked about her, "Who is this woman?" they asked. "She came here with a crowd of followers and she preaches Christ with great boldness."</div>
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When Nero, the emperor of Rome, persecuted Christians, Photini and her son Joseph were in Carthage, in Africa, where she was preaching the Christian gospel. After Jesus appeared to Photini in a dream, she sailed to Rome. Her son and many Christians from Africa accompanied her. Photini's arrival and activity aroused curiosity in the capital city. Everyone talked about her, "Who is this woman?" they asked. "She came here with a crowd of followers and she preaches Christ with great boldness."</div>
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Nero ordered his soldiers to bring her to him, but Photini expected them. Before they could arrest her, Photini, with her son Joseph and her Christian friends, went to Nero. When the emperor saw them, he asked why they had come. Photini answered, "We have come to teach you to believe in Christ." The half-mad ruler of the Roman Empire did not frighten her. She wanted to convert him! Nero asked the saints their names. Again Photini answered. By name she introduced herself, her five sisters and younger son. The emperor then demanded to know whether they had all agreed to die for the Nazarene. Photini spoke for them. "Yes, for the love of Him we rejoice and in His name we'll gladly die." Hearing their defiant words, Nero ordered their hands beaten with iron rods for three hours. At the end of each hour another persecutor took up the beating. The saints, however, felt no pain. Nothing happened to their hands. Photini joyfully quoted words of a psalm by David: "God is my help. No matter what anyone does to me, I shall not be afraid." Perplexed by the Christian's endurance and confidence, Nero ordered the men thrown into jail. Photini and her five sisters were brought to the golden reception hall in the imperial palace. There, the six women were seated on golden thrones, In front of them stood a large golden table covered with gold coins, jewels and dresses. Nero hoped to tempt the women by this display of wealth and luxury. Nero then ordered his daughter Domnina, with her slave girls, to go speak with the Christian women. Women, he thought, would succeed in persuading their Christian sisters to deny their God.</div>
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Domnina greeted Photini graciously, mentioning the name of Christ. On hearing the princess' greeting, the saint thanked God. She then embraced and kissed Domnina. The women talked. But the outcome of the women's talk was not what Nero wished.</div>
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Photini catechized Domnina and her hundred slave girls and baptized them all. She gave the name Anthousa to Nero's daughter. After her baptism, Anthousa immediately ordered all the gold and jewels on the golden table distributed to the poor of Rome.</div>
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When the emperor heard that his own daughter was converted to Christianity, he condemned Photini and all her companions to death by fire. For seven days the furnace burned, but when the door of the furnace was opened, the fire had not harmed the saints. Next the emperor tried to destroy the saints with poison, Photini offered to be the first to drink it. "O King," she said, "I will drink the poison first so you might see the power of my Christ and God." All the saints then drank the poison after her. None suffered any ill effects from it. In vain Nero subjected Photini, her sisters, sons and friends to every known torture. The saints survived unscathed to taunt and ridicule their persecutor. For three years they were held in a Roman prison. Saint Photini transformed it into a "house of God." Many Romans came to the prison, were converted and baptized. Finally, the enraged tyrant had all the saints, except for Photini, beheaded. She was thrown first into a deep, dry well and then into prison again. Photini now grieved that she was alone, that she had not received the crown of martyrdom together with her five sisters, Anatole, Photo, Photis, Paraskeve and Kyriake and her two sons, Photeinos and Joseph. Night and day she prayed for release from this life. One night, God appeared to her, made the sign of the cross over her three times. The vision filled her with joy. Many days later, while she hymned and blessed God, Saint Photini gave her soul into God's hands. The Samaritan Woman conversed with Christ by the well of Jacob, near the city of Sychar. She drank of the "living water" and gained everlasting life and glory. </div>
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That is the rest of the story of the Samaritan woman at the well who, when she encountered Jesus, her entire life changed forever. </div>
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The love of God has the power to transform our entire being.</h3>
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Do you have a life story to add that we can use in "The Rest of the Story?" If you do, visit <a href="http://aslanministries.org/">http://aslanministries.org</a> and click on the "rest of the story" in the menu. And pick up a free book while you are there.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bill Johnson</i></span></div>
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Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-11328682401424373162020-06-07T09:53:00.000-07:002020-06-07T09:57:28.380-07:00The Cost of Control<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a cloudless day in San Diego’s Mission Gorge area. The marine layer
had burned off early and it was another beautiful day in paradise. My spirits
were high, and I was overflowing with the love of God. It was Monday, but very
different from the rest of my Mondays at work. After returning from a men’s
retreat over the weekend, I was basking in the afterglow of God’s
presence. Morning had arrived too early, but lack of sleep could not destroy
my sense of joy. At the office, most of
the team was off on assignment so I dug into routine items
that needed my attention, avoiding serious stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At lunch time I took a leisurely walk down Mission Gorge to
the Soup Plantation restaurant and for soup and a salad. Grabbing a tray and an enormous salad platter, I fell into line behind two well-dressed men having a rather
animated conversation about Jesus. They were joyfully proclaiming the greatness of God and His work in their lives. While talking between themselves, their volume was loud enough to be heard by most people in line. After paying the cashier, they sat down at a table in a corner. A desire to stay near their joyful enthusiasm led me to take the table right next to them.. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After they sat down, prayed, and ate, there was a drastic change in their moods. The loud joyful praise turned into a serious, subdued discussion, and their countenance transformed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suddenly I wanted to crawl under the
table or sneak away without being seen. But God had other plans. He had a lesson for me to learn, but it took several months for me to understand what I heard and saw. There was no voice or outward manifestation but deep
within my spirit there was a sense as if the Lord said to me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“Pay attention, this
is important, I want to teach you something.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seated about six feet away and slightly behind them, one man was facing toward me, while the other had his back to me. I was only getting one side of the conversation, but eerily I heard from the man with his back to me while I missed what the man facing me said. I realized these men
were pastors and the one whose back was to me was seeking counsel from the man
facing me. Hearing only one
side of the conversation was strange but revealing. To this day, I remember the exact words spoken by the pastor with his back to
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I know now why my church is having so much trouble,
the members do not submit to me as their pastor.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After more discussion he made a second memorable declaration, “The
trouble with my family results from my wife not submitting to me as her
husband.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Almost immediately, I sensed a different voice speaking to me from some-where inside of me, “This man does not submit to God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fresh from a spirit-filled weekend with other spirit-filled believers, I was ready for anything. Being shy, I avoid
confrontation, but today, on this day, if need be, I could go to that man, point my finger in his face, and declare, “You are
having these problems because you do not submit to God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I remembered the earlier words, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Pay attention, this is important, I want to teach you something.”</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That incident occurred over 20 years ago, and I am still learning its lesson. When we get insight from
the Lord, we like to share it, even when it is just for us. That evening at a home group meeting, a lady complained about her financial problems. (She had financial issues for years.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Armed with my noon-time revelation, it compelled me to share my insight, “You are having financial problems because you have not
submitted your finances to God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The woman’s face turned purple with anger and my wife looked at me as if I had just committed the unpardonable sin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The meeting ended abruptly, but there was no escaping the woman’s
wrath. She was our neighbor and was our ride home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had several more opportunities to give away my new
insight but decided not to share. Then one day, unexpectedly, it hit me. Rita and I were driving up
Balboa Avenue on our way to lunch when a light bulb lit up my mind. Slamming
the dashboard with my right hand must have scared Rita, as I shouted, “I finally got it!” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God protects that that belongs to Him. What does not belong to Him, He is not as much inclined to protect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Therefore
submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. </i>[James 4:7 (NKJV)]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The lesson God had been trying to teach me
was now clear. The enemy of our soul is able to attack us in the areas of our
lives that we have not submitted to God.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is as if we are under God’s
umbrella of protection as long as we let Him be in control, but when we tell Him that we would rather do it our way, He may back away and say,
“Okay, go for it.” </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is where we get
in trouble - not submitting ourselves to God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word "Submission" evokes images of abuse and the sense of becoming a
doormat. Yet both the Old and New Testaments show there are great benefits in submitting to God.<a href="file:///C:/Users/william%20johhnson/Dropbox/Aslan%20Press/Church%20Financial%20Health/Leading%20financial%20Dec%20%202019a.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word translated as “submission” in the NT means to place or arrange under like products arranged on a display-table, or an army deployed ready for battle. Submission is also used
to accept someone’s admonition or advice.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our lives we often submit to our
boss, the government, our spouse, our pastor, or a spiritual authority. We also
submit to our possessions, pride, and sin.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus Himself submitted to the Father. He did not do it from
weakness but from strength. Our submission must be as Jesus modeled. Submission is not becoming a
doormat. Submission is more like an elevator.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An elevator lifts things up. As
we submit to God, we elevate Him. When we submit to our spouse, we elevate him
or her to a higher position. The purpose of submission is elevation or exaltation.
As we submit to God, we exalt Him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The entire basis of submission is not control but love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is an enormous difference between obedience and submission. Think "Passive Aggressive." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You can
obey without submitting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we submit to God, we elevate Him above our agenda. As we submit to our spouse, we elevate him or her above our wants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Submission is the cure for our control issues.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4sxQWbf6qY/Xt0XyO6Cx0I/AAAAAAAAEcA/qAbaku7PJXoD3TGraKka3L7YaZPXrK4nACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/submission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="914" height="226" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4sxQWbf6qY/Xt0XyO6Cx0I/AAAAAAAAEcA/qAbaku7PJXoD3TGraKka3L7YaZPXrK4nACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/submission.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div>
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<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/william%20johhnson/Dropbox/Aslan%20Press/Church%20Financial%20Health/Leading%20financial%20Dec%20%202019a.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="X-NONE" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><span lang="X-NONE"> Job 22:21; James 4:6-8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-24100151533650029762020-05-24T15:11:00.000-07:002020-05-24T15:45:38.987-07:00Who will Survive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98w8Rwu36us/Xsr5AcUMyyI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/N1zp35q1_AQdrrFXKwviz4DwlUUP9jMKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="273" height="271" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-98w8Rwu36us/Xsr5AcUMyyI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/N1zp35q1_AQdrrFXKwviz4DwlUUP9jMKQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">When the storms of life hit us, who will survive?</span></h2>
<div>
<div>
We live in a world where storms continue to torment the populous. Our storms are war, disease, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, wildfires, etc. All impact the physical, mental, and economic health of everyone in their path. They not only kill and destroy, but they affect our minds and attitudes. Today we faced the deadly COVID 19 pandemic with no geographical boundaries in our modern mobile society.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lets face it, we live on a dangerous planet with hazard all around us. So how do we live with a major threat hanging over us? How do we keep our sanity when walking through this minefield called life?
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 2018, the number of deaths attributed to various conditions are shown below:
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Heart disease: 647,457.
</li>
<li>Cancer: 599,108.
</li>
<li>Accidents (unintentional injuries): 169,936.
</li>
<li>Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 160,201.
</li>
<li>Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 146,383.
</li>
<li>Alzheimer’s disease: 121,404.
</li>
<li>Diabetes: 83,564.
</li>
<li>Influenza and Pneumonia: 55,672.
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Survival formula
</span></h3>
<div>
</div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Maintain Flexibility
</span></h4>
<div>
We lived in the state of Mississippi for many years during which we encountered dangerous tornadoes and hurricanes, including the famous names, “Betsy,” “Katrina” and “Camille.” But we survived many lesser and unnamed events. In the aftermath of these destructive storms, we gained insight on some important facts that can help us navigate the current pandemic.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Surveying the damage after the storm reveals a pattern of total destruction and repairable damage. They topple immense trees with their roots pulled right out of the ground, while nearby trees lost a few limbs and leaves. Earthquakes tear up highways and their bridges and viaducts while leaving some roads free from damage. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What is the difference? Flexibility!
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Flexible trees, roadbeds and buildings survive because they move with the wind while more rigid structures break or pull away. If we are rigid in our attitudes, lifestyles, or theologies, we are heading for a fall which could be disastrous. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the Old Testament, The Lord refers to the disobedient Jews as a “Stiff-necked people.” The Still-necked” are the ones who seem to receive the most trials.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In his famous 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle.” Mohamed Ali defeated George Foreman by using the “Rope a Dope,” technique. Rather than coming out fighting as his regular boxing plan, Ali took a defensive position, with his back against the ropes, allowing Foreman to tire himself out by landing many ineffective punches. When Foreman became tired, it was easy for Ali to land the decisive blows. When we are hit by the storms of life, a new strategy might be to take up a protective stance, ride out the storm, and then when it abates, be victorious.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In November 2010, a biopsy revealed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The cancerous tumor had wrapped itself around a saliva gland. A simple thirty minute outpatient surgery lasted nine hours. The doctors followed this with several months of Chemo. We took up our defensive posture. Following the advice of doctors and cancer survivors, we changed much of our lifestyle and the foods we ate. And we maintained a positive attitude about the whole process. Two years later, Dr Bobby Graham declared me cured.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today we are in the vulnerable class. So Rita and I are “Rope a Doping.” We have taken up a defensive position at home and only go out occasionally to pick up our on-line order at Walmart, or med.’s at the local drugstore.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Be Teachable
</span></h4>
<div>
Maintaining flexibility requires that we be teachable. One of the things that has frustrated the many during the current pandemic is that the rules keep changing. What the more rigid of us fail to realize is that this virus is new and even the virologists are still learning things about it.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Old Testament prophet Jonah was running away from God’s call. He got on a ship heading in the opposite direction - to Tarsus. A terrible storm came up that threatened the entire ship - its passengers, crew, and cargo. When Jonah realized his disobedience caused the storm, he told the crew, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.”[ Jonah 1:12 (NKJV)] Jonah became teachable.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
After every major event, pandemic, hurricane, or other disaster there is a time for asking how did this happen, why did it happen, and how do we avoid a repeat? When you travel the coast after a major hurricane, you can see the changes being made. There are normally two distinct forms of remediation. The first is the “brute force” method which requires a redesign of buildings to withstand the forces of wind and surf expected in a hundred years. The second action which is even more effective is avoidance. Don’t build in the affected areas, and build on stilts, etc.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
With COVID 19, there will be vaccines to prevent outbreaks, treatments, and social recommendations. Since all this is new, we have to remain teachable as the science develops.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Be Humble
</span></h4>
<div>
<i>Humility is a heavenly sanctuary to shield us from looking upon our accomplishments. Humility is a depth of self-effacement, which no robber can attain. Humility is a mighty tower in the face of the foe</i>.[Climacus, John. The Ladder of Divine Ascent]
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Humility is the cure for depression, judging our neighbor, undue envy, hardness of heart, lust, greed, gluttony, ill-will, hypocrisy, and stubbornness.
</div>
<div>
Stiff-necked people will not survive.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">4. Trust God:
</span></h4>
<div>
Jesus was with His disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arose causing the boat to take on water and they were in danger and Jesus was asleep. They came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”[Luke 8:24-25 (NKJV)]
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trusting God does not mean that He will always keep you from harm. Faith in God means you can trust Him because of His unfailing love for us. God is love and nothing can separate us from that love. This does not mean that you will not suffer or eventually die. There is an end to our life on this Earth, but then there is resurrection. Jesus died on the cross and rose again thereby defeating death.
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our faith is believing that God exists and that He loves and cares for those who ardently seek Him.[Hebrews 11:6]
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As we go through life, don’t expect it to be free of storms, but always remember what Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. [[John 16;33]
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trust Him, there is no way we can be in control of all things. We can take precautions, but cannot completely control our environment.
</div>
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Who will survive?
</span></h3>
<div>
</div>
</div>
<h4>
You will if you remain flexible, teachable, humble, and you trust in God.</h4>
<div>
May the Lord bless you and protect you through this difficult time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bill Johnson</i></span></div>
Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-43762961122086490332020-04-30T09:55:00.000-07:002020-04-30T10:05:30.036-07:00Love is a four letter word<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFBcFMwFLo/Xqr_5cmhl4I/AAAAAAAAEYM/AceUMV5e2aMMzAnudf1MuELk1oTgaA4iACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/love2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="900" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqFBcFMwFLo/Xqr_5cmhl4I/AAAAAAAAEYM/AceUMV5e2aMMzAnudf1MuELk1oTgaA4iACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/love2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I notice that today, people are really quick to say, "I LOVE YOU," but what do they mean? Do they understand what love means? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How would
you explain love? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is
a trick question, don’t even
try to answer it. Whatever you say will be inadequate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The greatest need of the human heart is for love; <span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">to be loved and to be free to
love others. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Giving and receiving love are the hallmarks of our humanity. In
order to truly be human, we must be able to receive love and release it to
others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, what is Love? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word “LOVE” is one of the most
misunderstood and misused words in the English language. This simple, four-letter word can bring joy, peace, conflict, heartbreak, and disaster. What does
it mean to you? That depends on your history, culture and vocabulary. Words are
merely symbols - elements of language - that communicate ideas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">A group of psychologists delved into the
meaning of love by asking a group of children aged 4 to 8 years age what “love”
meant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
Their answers are truly amazing:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'When
my grandma got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails
anymore. So my grandpa does it for her now all the time, even when his hands
got arthritis too. That's love..."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"When
someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that
your name is safe in their mouths."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Love
is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French Fries without
making them give you any of theirs.'</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Love
is what makes you smile when you're tired.'</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Love
is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and
listen."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"If
you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Love
is when mommy gives daddy the best piece of chicken.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Love
is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"When
you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of
you."</span></span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You
really shouldn't say ‘I LOVE YOU’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you
should say it a lot. People forget."</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Writers
have attempted to define love in popular songs, motion pictures, and romantic
fiction and it almost always involves getting our own needs met. Love is a warm
puppy, a chocolate sundae, not having to say I'm sorry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many of us look at love
based upon what we can get out of the relationship;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I will give if I am going to get.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“He makes me feel so good!”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I love the way that ice cream tasted.”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“She is so nice to me.”</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
we are truly honest, most of us would define love in terms of getting our own
needs met. Even a generous act of giving to others is often based upon an
expectation of what we will receive in return. When someone offers us
attention, significance, or pleasure, we eagerly give, with the expectation
that we will get what we so desperately want or need. But that is not love -
that is selfish and manipulative. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Even eight-year-old kids
have a better understanding of love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love involves giving, giving beyond
oneself. It means putting another's needs ahead of our own. Love is the
freedom to see beyond oneself in order to see another, not to see them as an
object to meet my personal needs. Love sees another as a person worthy of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1 John 4:8 (NKJV) </b>He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. </span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If God is love, our ability to understand LOVE is dependant upon our understanding of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Early
church monastic, St John of The Ladder, examines the means of ascending to the
highest degree of religious perfection by a series of thirty steps. Each step
recalls a year of the life of Christ. The most holy example of religious
perfection is achieved at step number thirty -”Love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
angels know how to discuss love, but even they are only able to do this
according to their level of understanding. God is love, so the one who desires
to describe this, attempts with dim eyes to weigh the sand in the sea. Love,
from its very essence, is the likeness of God. As much as it possible for
humans, in its action it is intoxication of the soul, and through its unique
characteristic it is a spring of faith, and abyss of long-suffering, an ocean
of lowliness. Love is fundamentally the exile of all opposing thoughts, for
love thinks nothing evil.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you want to know love, you must first know God!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps11j0uOvN4/Xqr_GWvHBGI/AAAAAAAAEYE/gFuFhtWcyhw94bpkikHQ-cNRYgw4uWVeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Charlie-Brown-and-Jesus-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="540" height="284" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ps11j0uOvN4/Xqr_GWvHBGI/AAAAAAAAEYE/gFuFhtWcyhw94bpkikHQ-cNRYgw4uWVeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Charlie-Brown-and-Jesus-5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br clear="all" />
</span><br />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></span></sup></i></a> <span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Ladder of Devine Ascent,
St John Climacus</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-88246010447209263192020-03-25T14:32:00.000-07:002020-03-26T12:48:03.958-07:00Making the best from working from home?<h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr3VbqmoGN8/XnvLcs7vNHI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/3Hwcabx8bZAbCH_j7U9bkQ2zihQC217kQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoC_Zw1-cI3c_N3SFOaatUXCLD-qWY198Zju2JbM-5stvZr5gurgX4WpMymBuB8QUdem1gP8dLc-epSlTuOp1_ddf-IuheDN8pEQiMQZmG7fWpmLJgdwTar_pRQoMSObYRghkFo0GCVRjXFsw0aaHR_Tb8WE-gpmxAeQ8005zVyPJwiCSalfbZ-Y-bx6xTdl4f5mnYFn6uwcbkMfAaFZTNpFlRM-6k67FmVZAlkFNBnz0Y8IppPZtS9vpthBUIP0KTyxUZEsf2aVBjTxJBuZf-dz71pKX0h5PStcxLGmv8nSozOyMfhCsm1A0pwu34kHMGPiZ4yaACGJJ6IHM-centSQViqjrxHkOzJTnaYzktXSz2igLmSIxok8ee7vb_Z39yf2oLRCnQCO2HQADi64aqwHM-PnVfMOr0GEt_U96FGwkuVtAWrw53Aott7XD-PN9A2ujjsR4a17qjqTagZQuZ1J2hqqxri8TAWpvZsDM2120wJAL4HW9HaelciXq9qh5Iv2Hw9-MHEV-xbFyO0QBk50hPngCNxGxk__MBQeKpVemnCdG_CNE_7Cb9a_2zk69K-eYivdz4gIq_QBpbD76uRz2qGoJOGvdkcwrJrv8wU/s1600/writera.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="620" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kr3VbqmoGN8/XnvLcs7vNHI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/3Hwcabx8bZAbCH_j7U9bkQ2zihQC217kQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoC_Zw1-cI3c_N3SFOaatUXCLD-qWY198Zju2JbM-5stvZr5gurgX4WpMymBuB8QUdem1gP8dLc-epSlTuOp1_ddf-IuheDN8pEQiMQZmG7fWpmLJgdwTar_pRQoMSObYRghkFo0GCVRjXFsw0aaHR_Tb8WE-gpmxAeQ8005zVyPJwiCSalfbZ-Y-bx6xTdl4f5mnYFn6uwcbkMfAaFZTNpFlRM-6k67FmVZAlkFNBnz0Y8IppPZtS9vpthBUIP0KTyxUZEsf2aVBjTxJBuZf-dz71pKX0h5PStcxLGmv8nSozOyMfhCsm1A0pwu34kHMGPiZ4yaACGJJ6IHM-centSQViqjrxHkOzJTnaYzktXSz2igLmSIxok8ee7vb_Z39yf2oLRCnQCO2HQADi64aqwHM-PnVfMOr0GEt_U96FGwkuVtAWrw53Aott7XD-PN9A2ujjsR4a17qjqTagZQuZ1J2hqqxri8TAWpvZsDM2120wJAL4HW9HaelciXq9qh5Iv2Hw9-MHEV-xbFyO0QBk50hPngCNxGxk__MBQeKpVemnCdG_CNE_7Cb9a_2zk69K-eYivdz4gIq_QBpbD76uRz2qGoJOGvdkcwrJrv8wU/s320/writera.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While most of us are in quarantine and maintaining social distancing,
many who still have jobs are working from home. Working from home has both positive and
negative issues. It is a great opportunity to
grow professionally and relationally, if you do it right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twenty-seven years ago, I began working from home and
continue to this day. As a home
office veteran, I would like to share some of the things I have learned. It is great to have the freedom to set your own hours, take
a break when you want, and not having the boss breathing
down your neck. And you can be home with your family to share parenting duties with
the “stay at home parent.”</div>
<h2>
Family dynamics: <o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the first few months of working out of my home, I was
curtly informed that my wife married me for better or worse, but not for lunch.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With children or without, the family dynamics change when
you are home all of the time. Children and spouses have established daily
rhythms and your presence in the house will disrupt that rhythm. This is a fact that you will have to understand and accept. There will be conflict over this issue. Be ready for it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Discipline: <o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is very easy to get distracted by family members going
about their daily activities, cleaning, taking care of kids, and talking on the
phone. You may be interested in what is going on and want to be a part of what
they are doing and be distracted. It will take great discipline to avoid these distractions and focus on
your work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Environment:<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our homes have been places of refuge, places where we can
forget work, and a place to kick back and relax in our own comfort space. Now that
comfortable place has purposely been converted to the workplace.</div>
<h2>
Develop a Business Mindset<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first step is to reprogram your mind to believe that you
are no longer in your home’s comfort space, but that you are actually at work.
When I first began working from home, my home office was in a shed behind the
house which made it easier to feel like a business office. But still, it was too
close to the house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an effort to reorient myself into the business mode, I began
to commute to the office. I would get up at the same time I would when I went
to a real office, get dressed, eat breakfast, get in my car, drive to the post
office to pick up the mail, drive back home and go directly into my office.
This set my mind into the business mindset. After years of practice, when I
walk into my home office I am in “business mode.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Establish a place<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYfmenBrVJw/XnvL2sj58DI/AAAAAAAAEWY/r-Y-CQnPWFoiNNLFHWaM60PP8XbKujgEQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDm05uwy06c-HACNCVLon7OCCJMyhwjzrJd6cIahOCmlomze6ivTX2nqBjHxH_dfC6qGl4itHlI76pzK7xWKIBd8VJQtp20CMCHdRFQT2agLsPqV73v6M1Z5oGeBcu1CtJgXtiaSj4BCiyspMWasMeSAdZ-rbLAOevrOMVRbt_gqfUpc_fdTkFmovg9hhDXGPvr9ppJextJGUFLwoCJNfAfQPhzssZ7bFStVcDpFkLDzpEuXlkAB0_mfxGgYYxh-Q4By_w_7TwTzxRnIRz-pVffmLfy5TopCr8bYoq4Uo78xZiSjOGED9Ybn7MrLr57BHreGrje7-G0lWuUzEQJHNW6paMhtx85T6i4zoWzYfko3CJzQ3WK3J4PpNKBpOjJNlGCOIbdVmErVMK_XRCKY0L3Qnh6ZbzaOWwdcCirJ1nzQpC0I8t3DuLICkBCukA90d0pWTPZtlOM3Bf4f6YMMgc_qPbrOSUzCD1-qpxtAjvNaqyy-MIMeWCOkCeHgKEFj86j4l-XyFSGdy-0pe3pKKFR4WNX6_zWA5LymccQZUyyrTBqj8yu4ZlBfgUfVOBUojCdejOEBbUzXFaKEg6Ti9N8XQS2PP9jhCcwxJrv8wU/s1600/home%2Boffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LYfmenBrVJw/XnvL2sj58DI/AAAAAAAAEWY/r-Y-CQnPWFoiNNLFHWaM60PP8XbKujgEQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoDm05uwy06c-HACNCVLon7OCCJMyhwjzrJd6cIahOCmlomze6ivTX2nqBjHxH_dfC6qGl4itHlI76pzK7xWKIBd8VJQtp20CMCHdRFQT2agLsPqV73v6M1Z5oGeBcu1CtJgXtiaSj4BCiyspMWasMeSAdZ-rbLAOevrOMVRbt_gqfUpc_fdTkFmovg9hhDXGPvr9ppJextJGUFLwoCJNfAfQPhzssZ7bFStVcDpFkLDzpEuXlkAB0_mfxGgYYxh-Q4By_w_7TwTzxRnIRz-pVffmLfy5TopCr8bYoq4Uo78xZiSjOGED9Ybn7MrLr57BHreGrje7-G0lWuUzEQJHNW6paMhtx85T6i4zoWzYfko3CJzQ3WK3J4PpNKBpOjJNlGCOIbdVmErVMK_XRCKY0L3Qnh6ZbzaOWwdcCirJ1nzQpC0I8t3DuLICkBCukA90d0pWTPZtlOM3Bf4f6YMMgc_qPbrOSUzCD1-qpxtAjvNaqyy-MIMeWCOkCeHgKEFj86j4l-XyFSGdy-0pe3pKKFR4WNX6_zWA5LymccQZUyyrTBqj8yu4ZlBfgUfVOBUojCdejOEBbUzXFaKEg6Ti9N8XQS2PP9jhCcwxJrv8wU/s320/home%2Boffice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is important to set aside a specific place for you to
work. If you do not have a room you can set aside for your workspace, you can
use a corner of a room. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make sure that that space is to be used exclusively for
business purposes. That is not only important for your mindset, but also for
the IRS when you claim a home office deduction.<br />
<br />
Keep it clear of personal stuff
that may cause a distraction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keep your workplace neat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Set working hours<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEyO59mUpnY/XnvNePcCAvI/AAAAAAAAEWo/SZk5a3zvSU0uuQEIqaN6YlEll6VQ8z0zACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/time-management.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="900" height="184" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEyO59mUpnY/XnvNePcCAvI/AAAAAAAAEWo/SZk5a3zvSU0uuQEIqaN6YlEll6VQ8z0zACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/time-management.jpg" width="200" /></a>Set for yourself specific hours to work. While at home, you
may have the luxury <o:p></o:p><br />
of setting your own schedule but make sure that it is consistent
day-to-day. You will have the freedom to make adjustments when there are important
things that you will want to do. But do not let them permanently interfere with
your set schedule. It is easy to let extraneous things, destroy your schedule. </div>
<h2>
Explain to family<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You must explain to your family that just because you are in
the house, you are not available for interruptions unless there is an
emergency.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
Enjoy the benefits of working at home.</h2>
<h1>
<o:p></o:p></h1>
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Make sure that you treat this time of working from home as a
benefit. Enjoy the freedom it gives to you. Enjoy the fact that you are close
to your family. Be grateful that you can set your own schedule.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of all thank God and your organization, that you still
have a job while others are being laid off or furloughed.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYEuwOdbpB0/XnvLMKu4EjI/AAAAAAAAEWI/8GywSguI4RYH2gxf7a8ltnC2EtYas1TQgCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAGJhbuEBBwJySHzhEjhWvFeIIe_csuyTYcvH_KULEWzgf1MODCzFjW3zWTZb7QENqr1jgCyd5Tm-eklKGc5nQlk9p4fo9Mq-SoVolB1jvF02eyuFqbf7CE-OfsZTNbjxBxx_t2eZ-vzSZqY8R7przH0YfKCmvyNjT9MESCLZjAA8OBCEe3fii21lp57R3ryH92TC6_SreoAzQ7DDpITd9GeyZI28pQoIer3mn1mMYeLkc5SPnacGFsPvb4aMJtet7KxTiZ6mH2DrnlX6ASlOpkIXXW6Gki-cvGJxPDzlCpMlkSE7CISjYpmC27kymXMWPcQ01UNyhv8nyXqhWcynmTwr3BrM9tk1LhaDbx9StMB1OT93D71gWdRjLY02UoK6OhOk-oZdBdAP1mnMdWMz3psxTSUUfp0ktKG90si4QHHZAh5dKhMw9Cp7kLwwCWvhSb-KN9JeDSSYMAMN3S3khcWN7uwduP_6djOrWmZrtFgyuwnFMcHJllF4KjufEhufNa93U90Vq7GcOzx4FHFjVegRR8gYsdamYS0jM2-E8zuQbXblowr2oTKL4acFEHbOig8nm63NQ5zrxbxqi3MeKRBWtPAPl8T9Ywo5vv8wU/s1600/240_F_50057716_XHdSQLWZa0YIF7CTbxmOImRFEZumXYMv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="359" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HYEuwOdbpB0/XnvLMKu4EjI/AAAAAAAAEWI/8GywSguI4RYH2gxf7a8ltnC2EtYas1TQgCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoAGJhbuEBBwJySHzhEjhWvFeIIe_csuyTYcvH_KULEWzgf1MODCzFjW3zWTZb7QENqr1jgCyd5Tm-eklKGc5nQlk9p4fo9Mq-SoVolB1jvF02eyuFqbf7CE-OfsZTNbjxBxx_t2eZ-vzSZqY8R7przH0YfKCmvyNjT9MESCLZjAA8OBCEe3fii21lp57R3ryH92TC6_SreoAzQ7DDpITd9GeyZI28pQoIer3mn1mMYeLkc5SPnacGFsPvb4aMJtet7KxTiZ6mH2DrnlX6ASlOpkIXXW6Gki-cvGJxPDzlCpMlkSE7CISjYpmC27kymXMWPcQ01UNyhv8nyXqhWcynmTwr3BrM9tk1LhaDbx9StMB1OT93D71gWdRjLY02UoK6OhOk-oZdBdAP1mnMdWMz3psxTSUUfp0ktKG90si4QHHZAh5dKhMw9Cp7kLwwCWvhSb-KN9JeDSSYMAMN3S3khcWN7uwduP_6djOrWmZrtFgyuwnFMcHJllF4KjufEhufNa93U90Vq7GcOzx4FHFjVegRR8gYsdamYS0jM2-E8zuQbXblowr2oTKL4acFEHbOig8nm63NQ5zrxbxqi3MeKRBWtPAPl8T9Ywo5vv8wU/s320/240_F_50057716_XHdSQLWZa0YIF7CTbxmOImRFEZumXYMv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-33513380157952020122020-03-14T16:51:00.001-07:002020-03-14T17:10:32.834-07:00Peace in the Midst of COVID-19<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TyGIHec-fI/Xm1sVQaa8-I/AAAAAAAAEVE/mwOhsZKl0esk7ax8qIk7KuV5dWTjJl34QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/peace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TyGIHec-fI/Xm1sVQaa8-I/AAAAAAAAEVE/mwOhsZKl0esk7ax8qIk7KuV5dWTjJl34QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/peace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.95pt; mso-outline-level: 1; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent;">Why is there no toilet paper in the stores. Placed a pickup
order with Walmart that included a modest two packages of TP and they were out.
In the Super Wally World, there is no TP. Smart me, I went to Amazon, figured
with Prime I could have some in two days. They were “out of stock.” I went to
place a delivery order with Whole Foods, for two bundles of TP – they took the
order, then texted me to ask if I would take a substitute. I figured they were
out of my brand so told them to substitute. They delivered the order – no TP,
they had substituted two roles of paper towels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where is the world’s supply of TP? Because of the Corona
Virus panic some have become hoarders. They are acting like this is worse than
Y2K, Swine Flu, E-Bola, Smallpox, Infantile paralysis, and other major
epidemics.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it appears that diarrhea is not even a symptom of the Corona
Virus.<br />
<br />
Wall Street is in a panic with the stock market falling at unprecedented
rates.<br />
<br />
If I had the money, I would be buying stocks now rather than selling.
Somewhere I heard that to get rich you must buy low and sell high.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<h2>
<span class="Heading2Char"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I guess I don’t understand the situation</span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">!<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or maybe I do. Yes, I realize that there is a pandemic –
worse than an epidemic – but it is not the end of the world. The governments
are imposing restrictions in an effort to control the spread of the virus, which will run its course
in time, medical science will develop a cure, and there will be a vaccine.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, it seems that the effects of the virus are less intense than many
previous health scares with the elderly and infirmed being the most at risk.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
By the way, I am centered in that category. So why am I not
in a panic?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The first half of my life was spent chasing objectives.
Success was achieving the goal. Everything else, relationships, people, and
personal health became secondary to the end. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, when it would seem that there was nothing more to
strive for, I was faced with the realization that I was not in control of my
life. Through a series of incidents - temporary loss of my eyesight, a bomb on
the plane on which I was a passenger, and dreams of being in an airline crash –
I realized how fragile our existence in this life can be. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a result of this and other circumstances, I came to the
realization that there was something more important than me. There is a God,
who I am trying to serve, there is my family that I must care for, and there is the church to which I am committed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is not to say that I believe that I am immune from the
virus or that God will protect me from catching it. I intend to do everything
in my power to avoid catching the virus. We are hunkering down in our house,
washing our hands, careful to avoid crowds and being prudent. Our grandson
dropped off enough TP to last until Walmart is restocked - which should not take
too many days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are doing all that we know to do to protect ourselves and
others, but we are not in control of the spread of the virus, nor are we
totally in control of whether or not we contract it. We have to put our faith
in the One who is in control – our Creator and Lord.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the way, the quote we started with has been wrongfully
attributed to Rudyard Kipling. What Kipling really wrote was the poem “If” which
I want to share now. It reflects how we should truly live. It is worth the read, all the way to the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">If</span></b><a href="file:///C:/Users/william%20johhnson/Dropbox/blogs/Peace.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><b><sup><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><b><sup><span style="line-height: 14.8611px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></sup></b></span></sup></b></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If you can keep your head when all about you<br />
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;<br />
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,<br />
But make allowance for their doubting too;<br />
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,<br />
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,<br />
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,<br />
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;</span></i><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;<br />
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;<br />
If you can meet with triumph and disaster<br />
And treat those two impostors just the same;<br />
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken<br />
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,<br />
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,<br />
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;</span></i><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">If you can make one heap of all your winnings<br />
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,<br />
And lose, and start again at your beginnings<br />
And never breathe a word about your loss;<br />
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew<br />
To serve your turn long after they are gone,<br />
And so hold on when there is nothing in you<br />
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";</span></i><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">If you can talk with crowds and keep your
virtue,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"> Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;</span></i></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;</span></i></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> If all men count with you, but none too much;</span></i></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">If you can fill the unforgiving minute</span></i></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">With sixty seconds' worth of distance run—</span></i></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">
</span></i>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,</span></i></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 107%;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="line-height: 107%;">And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!</span></i></div>
</span></i><o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/william%20johhnson/Dropbox/blogs/Peace.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></span></sup></b></a><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If” </span></b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">a
poem by Rudyard Kipling 1865 - 1936</span><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-13257325194242937572020-02-24T10:25:00.000-08:002020-02-24T10:45:41.177-08:00Let's Get Wild!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oA3cH2HjczM/XlQQi94ZJ9I/AAAAAAAAES0/66vjrhlkkBIp0zYleN5tEBJqMLHGrUdTACEwYBhgL/s1600/sky-2667455_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="960" height="206" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oA3cH2HjczM/XlQQi94ZJ9I/AAAAAAAAES0/66vjrhlkkBIp0zYleN5tEBJqMLHGrUdTACEwYBhgL/s320/sky-2667455_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>with all your soul, with all your mind, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and with all your strength.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>[Mark 12:30 (NKJV)]</i></div>
<br />
What does it mean to "Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some have tried to define it as obeying. Obedience is surely part of loving God.[John 14:23-24; John 15:9-10] However, obedience is not loving God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength. You can obey someone - a superior officer, employer, or ruler - without loving them. Obeying God without a passion for Him is not love but discipline. If discipline is all we have, it will fail in the end, while a man or woman in love will never give up. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to Love God with passion, prayer, intelligence, and energy. A lukewarm, loveless version of Christianity may succeed in propagating a little religion here and there, but it will never capture the heart of a dying world.</div>
<br />
A.W Tozer writes,<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>“God dwells in a state of perpetual enthusiasm. He is delighted with all that is good and lovingly concerned about all that is wrong. He pursues His labors always in a fullness of holy zeal. No wonder the Spirit came at Pentecost as a sound of a rushing wind and sat in tongues of fire on every forehead… Whatever else happened at Pentecost, one thing that cannot be missed by the most casual observer was the sudden upsurging of moral enthusiasm. Those first disciples burned with a steady, inward fire. They were enthusiastic to the point of complete abandon."</i></div>
<br />
In a vision, Jesus told John to write a letter to the Church at Laodicea and tell them:<br />
<i>'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." </i>[Rev. 3:15-16]<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why is it that most Christians have lost their passion and have become lukewarm? Maybe because it's not cool! So often we are too cool to be passionate. It may be the result of rationalism and modernism. Many of the early reformers worked hard to take emotionalism out of Christianity and make religion rational.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Eo_YEE9rA/XlQRxK2LTiI/AAAAAAAAETA/C0IlLtng7wg5TIt3VPvKBxpzjtuZP17uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9Eo_YEE9rA/XlQRxK2LTiI/AAAAAAAAETA/C0IlLtng7wg5TIt3VPvKBxpzjtuZP17uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/kiss.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, everyone had to have a nickname. Mine was “Wild Bill,” because I would try anything once. In the 4th Grade, Suzanne Schmitz’s mother would not let her play with me because I was too “Wild.” She was the first non-relative I ever kissed. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Down the street from our house were three tall elm trees spaced about twenty feet apart. They were great climbing trees. We watched squirrels playing follow the leader as they went out on a branch of one tree and jumped across to a branch on an adjacent tree. The thought came to me, "That looks like fun, I’ll bet I can do that." </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was a large branch that could hold my weight, the limb was strong enough for me to walk out and get within eight feet of a substantial limb on the next tree. So I shinnied up the first tree, stepped gingerly out on the limb. The limb was strong and supporting me. This was going to be easier than I originally thought. The branch in the opposite tree was there waiting - just a short leap away. I lept but had made a serious miscalculation and fell. As I grabbed for a large limb, all I caught were leaves and skinny branches. Holding on for dear life, I quickly fell twenty feet to the ground landing hard and breaking my tail bone. In my mind I will always want to make that leap and prove that I can do it, but the memory of the pain in my butt keeps me from making another attempt.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-0FTJDxJzA/XlQTDs6CR9I/AAAAAAAAETM/_rqKOUjQY0o4-N5394Bl6NgPdgjlMsMggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1200" height="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-0FTJDxJzA/XlQTDs6CR9I/AAAAAAAAETM/_rqKOUjQY0o4-N5394Bl6NgPdgjlMsMggCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/fall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we get hurt we tend to be more careful. Getting hurt makes us more cautious. If we get hurt often enough, we give up because we don't want to become vulnerable. That’s the way it is with love. When we love someone with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength we become vulnerable to the object of our love who then has the ability to hurt us. When a human being hurts us, we often transfer our distrust to God.</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Early Church was wild, they lived in wild abandon trusting God for all their needs. They expected God to act on their behalf. They prayed and saw people healed. They raised people from the dead on a regular basis. Andrew the brother of Peter was strolling along the seashore and came upon as tragic shipwreck. The dead bodies of the sailors had washed up on the shore. Overcome with sadness and compassion, Andrew prayed and asked God to raise them from the dead. God obliged.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This wild abandonment for God lasted for a few hundred years. Then the church became more respectable as Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion. As Christianity became “Safe,” the wild ones moved out to the deserts of Egypt and Arabia. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Much of the Church has become “Functional Atheists” A “Functional Atheist” is someone who says he believes in God, but lives his life as if God did not exist. A functional atheist is afraid to commit his life to God’s leadership. He attends church but does not expect God to show up. He believes God can heal but doesn’t expect Him to act. He may have God as his co-pilot, but never allows Him to take the controls. He relies on his own logic rather than the Holy Spirit. </div>
<br />
These are Christians in name only. They try to live the Christian life, but their life is dull and without fire or power;<br />
<br />
<i>“… if the Holy Spirit were completely removed from the world today, 90% of the work of the church would go on as if nothing at all had happened.” - [R.T. Kendell]</i><br />
<br />
Every generation has a group of wild ones in the church.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>My fear is not that our great movement, known as the Methodists, will eventually cease to exist or one day die from the earth. My fear is that our people will become content to live without the fire, the power, the excitement, the supernatural element that makes us great. [John Wesley]</i></div>
<br />
<i>“The great sin of church is not that we’ve lost the power of God, but that we’ve become content to live without it.” - [Charles Finney]</i><br />
<br />
OUR nation was founded by “Wild Ones.” Now we are apologizing for believing in the one true God.<br />
<br />
WOULDN'T YOU LOVE TO BE FREE TO BE WILD AGAIN?<br />
<br />
iT STARTS BY LOVING GOD WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART, SOUL MIND AND STRENGTH!<br />
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Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-54326918531021445482019-12-11T10:18:00.000-08:002019-12-11T13:08:14.070-08:00What do you want for Christmas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6X51U0t9Fw/XfEtnJnx_xI/AAAAAAAAEQE/AuA1QA8rSQEQwYF-8n80UGP1LqLzD7OBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="221" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h6X51U0t9Fw/XfEtnJnx_xI/AAAAAAAAEQE/AuA1QA8rSQEQwYF-8n80UGP1LqLzD7OBQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Christmas3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
What do you want for Christmas?</h3>
<h1>
<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spend most of the Christmas season searching for that perfect gift, the
best bargain, the right decorations, and a parking space at the mall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This year when the family all gets together, everybody will
bring only <b><u>one</u></b> wrapped gift. It will be placed on
the table for all to inspect -still wrapped. After we have gorged ourselves with turkey, dressing, dumplings,
green bean casserole, and pecan pie we will draw numbers to determine the gift
selection order realizing that that gift we select may be stolen by the next
person in line if they take a liking to it. We have seen grown men cry when
their favorite gift is taken from them.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so busy that we
miss the season’s true meaning. It was the same at that first Christmas in
Bethlehem. Almost everyone missed it. They were too busy looking for other
things. The politicians missed the first Christmas. The business community
missed the first Christmas. The innkeeper missed the first Christmas. In fact,
even the religious establishment missed the first Christmas, because they were
looking at other things. The only people who enjoyed that very first Christmas were the people who were looking for it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Angel told the shepherds "You'll
find the baby ... lying in a manger."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Shepherds said: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Let's
go and see!"</i> They found Jesus because they were searching. They were
seeking Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later on another group, the wise men found Jesus because
they were seeking Him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h3>
Now let me ask you, what are you going to find this Christmas? </h3>
<h1>
<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I'll tell you what you're going to find: You will find whatever
you are looking for. In our society today there's a renewed emphasis on seeking
spiritual truth. Sometime back Newsweek magazine had an article titled,
"The Search for the Sacred." In it the writer commented;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Maybe it's just a critical mass of Baby Boomers in the
contemplative afternoon of life. Or maybe it's anxiety over the coming
millennium, or maybe it's a general dissatisfaction with the materialism of the
modern world. For these reasons and more, millions of Americans are' embarking
on a search for the sacred in their lives." </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoQuote">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The bottom line of this article is that people are asking, "Is
there any meaning to my life? Does my life count? Is there a God? And if there
is a God, can I get to know Him?" <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's what Christmas is all about, folks! The article
continued, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>" A lot has changed in the past century. We've stripped
away what once our ancestors saw as essential, the importance of religion in
the family, and people feel they want something they've lost; they just don't
remember what it is they've lost." </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The loss of a faith leaves a gaping hole and that, in essence, is a seeker's quest - to fill the hole with a new source of meaning. Why are we
here? What is the purpose of our existence?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>
<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now, if you're honest with yourself, at least sometime this
past year, when you slowed down long enough, you probably asked yourself these
same questions. </div>
<h4>
"Why am I here? What am I here for? Why do I exist?”</h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Now, where do you think those questions coming from? It is God
Who is putting those questions in your mind! He is creating in you a desire and
thirst to know Him. God knows all about you; He wants you to know Him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And there's no better time than Christmas to become a seeker
like the wise men were. Wise men, women, and children still seek God.</div>
<h3>
Whatever it is you are Looking for, That Is What You will
Find.</h3>
<div>
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/aslanpress/your-spiritual-gifts" target="_blank">Find out more about yourself?</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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</div>
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<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-24328440351038104872019-10-30T13:10:00.001-07:002019-11-20T13:48:01.277-08:00So, you want to make disciples - Count the cost!<br />
<h2>
The Great Commission</h2>
<i>And Jesus came and spoke to them,
saying, <span class="JesusWords">"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and
on earth.</span> <span class="JesusWords">Go therefore</span><span class="JesusWords"> and make disciples
of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit,</span> <span class="JesusWords">teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."</span> Amen. [<b>Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)]</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
Effectively fulfilling the Great Commission is no simple task as you have probably discovered if you have been in ministry for any length of time. Most of us - with good intentions - have been doing it wrong. The problem is in understanding what we are called to do.<br />
<h4>
Please forgive my suggested books which address the area of discipleship. They do provide help for your discipleship program if you are interested.</h4>
<h2>
Go!</h2>
<div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
Step one of the Great Commission is, "To go." When we go out of the church and share God's love, God shows up and does wonderful things. St. Patrick was at home in England when a band of Irish marauders kidnapped him, took him to Ireland, and sold him into slavery. Six years later he escaped and fled on a boat back to England. A few years later, young Patrick had a vision calling him back to Ireland. Talk about getting out of his comfort zone. </div>
</div>
<div>
Obeying God, he went back to the nation that had enslaved him. But this time he took the message of God's love. He baptized thousands of people including some wealthy women and the sons of kings. Every day he faced imprisonment and death.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"To go," means to leave your comfort zone, to get out of the church and interact with people who are not like you. It is a mission for the Lord. Leaving our comfort zone can be very scary, but that's where we will see God in action. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sharing the love of God with a stranger is not easy for most people. It is especially difficult when people are radically different from us. But Jesus calls us to GO. And as we go He can work through us. To paraphrase C. S. Lewis, "A small rudder can turn a big boat as long as the boat is moving. But when it is sitting still the rudder has no effect."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the Gospel of John, Jesus was on His way from Jerusalem to Galilee. Tired and needing rest, He stopped at Jacob's well while His disciples went into Schecham to fetch food and drink. You know the story. A Samaritan woman comes along, Jesus asks her for a drink, and they dialogue for a while. Jesus knows her heart and shares the "Good News" with her in an interesting way. She believes and GOES into town to tell her story to everyone there. She left her comfort zone. The townspeople came out to meet this Jesus, and they also believe.</div>
</div>
<h2>
Make "Disciples"</h2>
<div>
Make disciples is a faulty translation of this passage. A better translation would be to "disciple all nations." So we do not make disciples, we disciple people. The word that is translated "disciple" is the Greek word "Mathetes." In ancient Greece, it was an individual that attached himself to master craftsman, teacher, or leader in order to be mentored by them. In our present world we might use the term "apprentice," the way in which electricians, plumbers, etc are accredited. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since becoming a disciple is a purely voluntary act it cannot be forced upon someone or made it a requirement. Postmoderns rebel at coercion. This could be the cause of the church losing its young people as soon as they get outside the influence of the church and home.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
The implications of voluntary discipleship are far-reaching. First discipleship, is not programmatic, it is relational. The discipler, must have something significant that the potential disciple wants to become. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The relationship between the discipler and disciple must be close. It must be so important that the disciple gives up other desires and reaches out to enter into the relationship. On the other side, the discipler must be perceived as worthy of the relationship. We great resource for becoming the leader others want to follow</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Second, if discipleship is voluntary, the discipler must present discipleship as important to the disciple. In other words, he must provide a solid justification and present the benefits of discipleship. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lastly, since discipleship is relational, it should be obvious that it is an interpersonal activity between the discipler and the disciple. The discipler has a responsibility to the relationship. If he is not willing to spend the time necessary to maintain the relationship, he will not be an effective discipler. </div>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
Baptize</h2>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Christian church has a variety of understandings and practices of baptism, but Baptism is the entry into the body of Christ. In Baptism you are baptized into the community of Jesus Christ. The church proclaims that you are loved and wanted and a child of God in baptism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Water is a symbol of purification. It is used to mark the beginning of a new life. In water baptism we are transformed from death to life, rising as a new person, born anew. Satan no longer has a hold on us. The early church included an exorcism in their baptismal rite which is continued in Orthodox Christian churches today. </div>
<h2>
Teach</h2>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When teaching a disciple, the discipler has the responsibility to help the disciple learn. As teachers we all have our own style of teaching. However, discipling is more relational than the transfer of knowledge. Therefore it is incumbent upon the discipler to understand that people do not all learn the same way. The discipler must make allowances for the disciples learning style.<br />
<h2>
<br />Jesus' methods of Discipling.</h2>
</div>
<div>
The first thing we notice about Jesus' methods of discipling is that He spent time<br />
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with the twelve. Each time He demonstrated something it became a teaching moment. He would use their questions about what just happened to teach a principle.</div>
<h3>
<ol>
<li>Demonstrate: <span style="font-weight: normal;">With the twelve standing by, Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed the storms, raised the dead. Each miracle demonstrated His mission; to destroy the works of the enemy - Satan.</span></li>
<li>Explain: <span style="font-weight: normal;">After demonstrating His power, Jesus explained to His disciples why He was able to accomplish the task while they were not</span></li>
<li>Instruct: <span style="font-weight: normal;">Then He ins</span>t<span style="font-weight: normal;">ructed them on how to go forth and minister to the needs around the country.</span></li>
<li>Send: <span style="font-weight: normal;">He sent them out two by two to heal the sick. He gave them an opportunity to minister without Him standing over their shoulders.</span></li>
<li>Critique: <span style="font-weight: normal;">When they returned He gave them a critique of how they did and cautioned them as to what was important.</span></li>
</ol>
</h3>
<h2>
Your Cost</h2>
<div>
If you choose to take on this vital role, you must count the cost in your time, your emotions, and your freedom. But there is nothing as rewarding as seeing your efforts come to fruition as new people step into leadership and expand the Kingdom of God.</div>
<h3>
<ol>
<li>You can only disciple a few people at a time.</li>
<li>You must invest time and resources into each one.</li>
<li>Some will drop out and cause you much pain.</li>
<li>Do you have the time?</li>
<li>Do you have the Patience?</li>
<li>If so, Go!</li>
</ol>
</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-66310058581788202892019-09-25T13:18:00.001-07:002019-09-30T08:59:17.496-07:00Are you happy with yourself?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Are you happy with yourself?</h2>
<div class="MsoTitle">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Do you wish that you were older or younger? </li>
<li>Would you rather
have been born in a different era? </li>
<li>Do you wish you were born of a different sex? </li>
<li>Do you wish that you had different parents? </li>
<li>Do you wish that you had a
different body?</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As I pass the remarkable age (for me) of four and a quarter
score, I wonder how I made it this far. In 1955 as a student at Georgia Tech, country singer Faron Young's hit song became a favorite of mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"I want to live fast, love hard, die young, <br />and
leave a beautiful memory.” </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That song became my battle cry! Thank God, the third item of my plan failed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
That leads me to an important personal insight. I have always been most happy to be the age that I was at the time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I guess in
college, I was having so much fun - almost flunked out – that I was not looking
forward to growing older. </li>
<li>It was fun in my late twenties to be the Young Turk
fighting to change the status quo in an institutionalized company that was
dying. </li>
<li>In a mid-life crisis, I was happy with a less stressful job and a
supportive family. </li>
<li>I am still happy at my present age even though my body is
wearing out and I can’t do the things that earlier I thought I could not live
without. Now there are exciting new things to do. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't believe that you are too young or too old to do what you are called to do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just
because I can no longer play golf it isn't the end of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Am I happy with myself?</h3>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
No! I fall short of God’s target so often. A quick review of
my past reveals any number of regrets, some as a direct result of the plan for my
life - sung by Faron Young.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I wish that I had learned how to love at an
earlier age. </li>
<li>I wish that I had spent more time with my wife and children rather
than chasing fame and fortune. </li>
<li>I wish that I had learned to sing. </li>
<li>I wish that I
was better playing the guitar. </li>
</ul>
But all in all, I am pretty content.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Getting back to the questions that started this issue, I am
content with my age today with all of its pains and medical issues. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
My
lifetime has seen tremendous progress:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>from crystal sets to flat-screen TV’s - <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muW7HDij6FI/XYvKrnLjdTI/AAAAAAAAEKE/PkT3tfwuUf8mcytCkBC34X5h9txEo7chACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/saturn%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1228" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-muW7HDij6FI/XYvKrnLjdTI/AAAAAAAAEKE/PkT3tfwuUf8mcytCkBC34X5h9txEo7chACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/saturn%2B5.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
</li>
<li>from Ford
Tri-motors to supersonic intercontinental transports </li>
<li>from 4th of July Roman Candles to ICBM's, landing men on the moon, and exploring the moons of Uranus </li>
<li>from mechanical adding machines to microcomputers and the internet - </li>
<li>advancements in medicine and medical devices which helped me live
this long. </li>
</ul>
Not only did I watch this progress but was actually able to participate in some.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
What an era to be alive!</h3>
<br />
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My parents were far from perfect, but I
could not imagine having any others, they made me who I am today. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
While my body was never perfect, it has taken me
where I needed to go, not as a professional athlete, but good enough to not embarrass
myself on the golf course or bowling alley - that is until I got too old. I would never have made it as
an underwear model, but my body has been good enough for what God has called me
to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Are you happy with yourself?</h3>
<h1 align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Do you realize, that God created you the way you are?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>He
wanted you born in the era in which you were born. </li>
<li>He created you as a male or
female based on His plan for your life. </li>
<li>He gave you the parents that you had. </li>
<li>He gave you that body.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are unhappy with your present age, the era in which
you were born, your sex, your parents, or your body, then your problem is with God. He created you for a purpose by putting you in this world in this place,
with those parents, and gave you the body for a reason:<br />
<br />
To fulfill His purpose
in your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Do not rebel against <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s plan for your life!</h3>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-56697577011731896532019-09-20T10:40:00.000-07:002019-09-20T11:18:37.598-07:00What is Love? <br />
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</h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFx4-Lm6TQk/XYULb9p5eOI/AAAAAAAAEJM/07tf2k0g0RsFjs3vObqzpxuPHRT8NUbtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/love1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GFx4-Lm6TQk/XYULb9p5eOI/AAAAAAAAEJM/07tf2k0g0RsFjs3vObqzpxuPHRT8NUbtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/love1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="What_is_Love"><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What is Love?</span></span></u></a></h2>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Beloved, let us love one
another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows
God. </i></span></span><i style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. [</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV)]</span></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What is Love? A simple four-letter word that confuses. Because of its misuse, it can result in conflict, heartbreak, and disaster when it should be
ushering in peace and joy. The word love, itself, may be the most misunderstood
word in the English language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What does
it mean to you? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It depends upon your experience. How do you explain a rainbow
to a man blind from birth? The rainbow is more than a colorful arch in the sky. </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When you hear the word dog, what images come to mind? Some will
imagine a cute puppy with </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8kowl6qkZw/XYUN0TbvBCI/AAAAAAAAEJk/k2xH0heLits6geE-3nytav6sIAreOYsJACEwYBhgL/s1600/%2521cid_2C65B073-9F81-4534-8B02-B0805E366D28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="960" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8kowl6qkZw/XYUN0TbvBCI/AAAAAAAAEJk/k2xH0heLits6geE-3nytav6sIAreOYsJACEwYBhgL/s200/%2521cid_2C65B073-9F81-4534-8B02-B0805E366D28.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
a wagging tail, while another might be stricken with
fear as they imagine an angry vicious animal prepared to attack.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Words are merely symbols - elements of a language - that we use
to communicate. Communications is a two-way street. One person - the
sender - wishes to express an idea to another - the receiver. Each has a secret
code ring. The sender encodes his idea or thought into words he feels express
his thoughts accurately, but then the recipient must decode those words into
his own thoughts. If the sender</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’s idea is to be interpreted accurately by
the recipient, they must both be using the same code book. This seems like a
simple process, but just look at the political climate in the world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Different people seldom use the same
codebook. Codebooks are learned through experience and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>personal history. A simple act of a gentleman
opening the car door for a lady may become an utter disaster. While the
gentleman believes that he is showing love by his actions, an emancipated woman
may see it as an insulting stereotypical action of a male chauvinist. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So it is with the word love. We have attempted to define love in
popular songs, motion pictures, and romantic fiction. But, if we are truly
honest, most of us would define love in terms of getting our own needs met.
Even generous acts of giving to others are often based upon an expectation of
what we will receive in return. When someone offers us attention, significance,
or pleasure, we eagerly give with the expectation that we will get what we so
desperately need. But that is not love - that is selfish and manipulative. <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How can you understand love if you have never experienced it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoKeWxAoP8/XYUMXQZpKfI/AAAAAAAAEJU/RVKBU5Tcv_MQN62ErkogIRDMU3b_ZSYEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/st%2BJohn%2Bclimacus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="191" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AhoKeWxAoP8/XYUMXQZpKfI/AAAAAAAAEJU/RVKBU5Tcv_MQN62ErkogIRDMU3b_ZSYEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/st%2BJohn%2Bclimacus.jpg" width="144" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Early church monastic, St John Climacus, examines the means of
ascending to the highest degree of religious perfection by a series of thirty
steps, which recall the thirty years of the life of Christ, the most holy
example of religious perfection. From step thirty we read;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"The angels know how to discuss love, but
even they are only able to do this according to their level of understanding.
God is love, so the one who desires to describe this, attempts with dim eyes to
weigh the sand in the sea. Love, from its very essence, is the likeness of God.
As much as it possible for humans, in its action it is intoxication of the
soul, and through its unique characteristic it is a spring of faith, and abyss
of long-suffering, an ocean of lowliness. Love is fundamentally the exile of
all opposing thoughts, for love thinks nothing evil."</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[1]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the Gospel of John,</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[2]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Jesus reveals the Father's
love as He encounters a Samaritan woman at Jacob</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’s Well. Jesus asks the
woman for a drink. Jewish religious leaders were not permitted to ever speak to
women - especially women who were immoral. This particular woman had had five
husbands and was living with a man that was not her husband. She had failed
utterly in her search for love.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus initiates a relationship with her for the purpose of
showing her real love. He describes His loving presence as "Living
Water" that will satisfy and become her spring of love welling up to
eternal life. As they talk, Jesus reveals that He knows her sin. But more
importantly he knows her hunger for love. He points out her five failed
marriages, and her current live-in boyfriend, but does not use her sin and
brokenness against her. He sees her as a person with a true and deep hunger for
a love that won</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">’t fail her. Jesus knows the true desires
of her heart. He seeks to satisfy her desire with a love that comes from
heaven. That love from heaven is more real and relevant to her needs than any
human could provide.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life, he who comes to me
will never be hungry, and He who believes in me will never be thirsty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Apostle, Paul, wrote letters of instruction, encouragement,
and correction to the churches to which he had oversight. To the church at
Corinth he wrote on love;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Love suffers long and is kind; love does
not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails</span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><sup><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[3]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you dare to assess your ability to give and receive love
insert your name in place of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Love” and read this passage.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></sup></u><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">_______ </span></u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">suffers long and is kind; ______ does not
envy; ______ does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in
iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. _______ never fails.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A good definition of love is "Giving to someone beyond what one is getting in return." Love involves giving beyond oneself. It means putting another's needs ahead of our own. Love is "the freedom to see beyond oneself in order to see another." not to see them as an object to meet my personal need. Love sees another as a person worthy of love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Growing up in a family with stoic Northern European ancestry,
there was little outward manifestations of love. Showing emotion or affection,
while not discouraged, was not modeled. The word </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Love” itself was
reserved for things like chocolate cake and ice cream. Acceptance was given
when you worked hard, obeyed, and stayed out of trouble. You worked hard to
gain acceptance. I do not recall hearing the words, “I love you.” addressed to
me, and I don’t recall speaking them to someone else. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The first time I said, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you” was to my
future wife. Recently on the occasion of our anniversary, my wife asked me if I
remembered when I first told her I loved her. It would have been an outstanding
event because it was the first time I said those words and meant them. But, I
still had no idea what love really meant. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How can you understand love if you
have never experienced it?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If our idea of "love" is restricted to an unhappy, dysfunctional or abusive relationship, then the fact that "God is love!" presents a false image of God. However, understanding true love presents a more realistic vision of God. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus, as God, presents us the reality and true definition of love! </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">[excerpted from my forthcoming book, "Love Like Jesus."]</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><u><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><u><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[1]</span></span></sup></u><!--[endif]--></span></sup></u></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> The Ladder
of Devine Ascent, St John Climacus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[2]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> John
4:1-26<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1315613159803609041&pli=1#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><u><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><u><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">[3]</span></span></sup></u><!--[endif]--></span></sup></u></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> 1 Corinthians
13:4-8 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1315613159803609041.post-88211253203345571172019-07-01T09:19:00.000-07:002019-07-03T10:49:25.036-07:00Overcoming Fear<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XW-FeCSxT0/XRzqLy_-OqI/AAAAAAAAEH0/EXtehnzatB4PdTOFo99BH-oUb_qPHsD2QCLcBGAs/s1600/fear%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="960" height="137" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XW-FeCSxT0/XRzqLy_-OqI/AAAAAAAAEH0/EXtehnzatB4PdTOFo99BH-oUb_qPHsD2QCLcBGAs/s320/fear%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Flying into <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>’s
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Logan</st1:city></st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place>, I could tell we
were too low. We had just cleared a garbage scow hauling the trash out to sea with
hundreds of gulls feasting on the cargo and circling as they sought additional
treats. If our engines ingested a bird, we were dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could see a variety of boats heading for
home as a blanket of fog was quickly covering the area. I could no longer see
the runway lights from my seat at the window. The Delta DC 9-31 turned sharply
to port onto final approach to runway 27. I was worried. We are too low. We may
not make it!. Now, the plane was now only a few feet above the inky black
surface. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The plane suddenly veered to
starboard then back on course. “Did we swerve to avoid something or was it
merely a wind correction?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The runway must be just ahead. It
looks like we will make it. It was a weird sensation, this commercial jet was
being flown like a fighter aircraft attacking an enemy outpost. Giving my seat
belt an extra tug, I braced for the inevitable impact. Then we hit something. Like
fingernails on a blackboard, the screams of bending metal shouted out. Loose
items flew around the cabin, oxygen masks popped out from their storage places.
Someone screamed. While we were still moving forward, the entire fuselage split
open directly in front of me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Then everything stopped. Dead
silence! At a sporting event, people pause for a moment of silence in honor of
people who have died. Then as suddenly as it began the silence was broken.
Passengers screamed, sirens blaring and lights flashing announced the arrival
of first responders. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I checked myself and found I was
unhurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Releasing my seat belt, I got up
and walked past rescuers as they burst through the gap in the fuselage. </div>
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Outside,
looking back at the wreckage, I thought, “I had better take the train home.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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It always happened this way.<br />
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It was a
dream, but so real that I could almost smell the smoke. To this day that memory
is still vivid. I had this identical dream four times in one year. It always involved
a commercial airliner in which I was a passenger, but different planes and in different
cities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This time the dream had a had
greater significance. One week after I dreamt about it, Delta Flight 723, to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:city>, landed short of
the runway in poor visibility, striking a sea wall about 165 feet to the right
of the runway centerline and about 3000 feet short. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All six crew members and 83 passengers were
killed.<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> </span>I had taken this same flight to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city></st1:place> every month for the past year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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After that crash, I took the train
from my home in <st1:place w:st="on">Northern <st1:state w:st="on">Virginia</st1:state></st1:place>
to almost every destination on the east coast and only flew when absolutely
necessary. Near misses often bring on great fear, but the odds of another crash
at the same place are astronomical. Fear causes us to rearrange our priorities
and our activities. Fear limits our ability to accomplish what God calls us to
do and will keep us from reaching our destiny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We all fear many things. I am
afraid of heights, bridges, rejection, and failure. Once, I climbed the 897 steps to
the top of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Washington</st1:state></st1:place>
Monument and then could not look out the tiny windows to see the awesome expanse of the National Mall. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As a child, I waited before crossing
a bridge until a large truck drove across. If the truck made it safely, then I
would sprint to the other side. In school, I was afraid to run for a class
office in fear that I would not be elected. Fear causes us to avoid doing things
causing us to waste the gifts God has given us. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Below is a list of Americans top ten fears for 2018 <a href="https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/babbie-center/survey-american-fears.aspx" target="_blank">Chapman University study</a><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Corrupt government officials - 73.6%</li>
<li>Pollution of oceans, rivers, and lakes. - 61.6%</li>
<li>Pollution of drinking water - 60.7%</li>
<li>Not having money for the future - 57%</li>
<li>People I love becoming seriously ill. - 56.5%</li>
<li>People I love, dying - 56.4%</li>
<li>Air Pollution - 55.1%</li>
<li>Extinction of plant and animal species - 54.1%</li>
<li>Global Warming and climate change - 53.2%</li>
<li>High Medical bills - 52%</li>
</ol>
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The root of most of our fears is
the issue of control. We are afraid because we are not in control. When I was
young I took flying lessons and flew the company’s Cessna 172 on business trips
from <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city> to <st1:state w:st="on">Ohio</st1:state>,
<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Ind</st1:state>ia</st1:country-region>na</st1:state>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Mich</st1:state>igan</st1:state></st1:place>.
I was never afraid of flying in a small plane. It was only flying commercial that
caused me a problem because I was not in the pilot’s seat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are in control, we are not often afraid.
It is when we are not in control that we begin to fear. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Think about it, </div>
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<ol>
<li>“When was the last
time you were afraid? </li>
<li>What were the circumstances?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ol>
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The intensity of fear is indirectly
proportional to the feeling of being in control. That is; the more you feel you
are not in control of a situation, the more fear you feel.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since the issue of control is the
root of most of our fears, there is a simple sounding solution. </div>
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We can overcome
all our fears by accepting the fact that we are not in control, and trusting
that the One in control really has our best interests at heart. </div>
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<i><b> </b>There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, </i></div>
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<i>because fear involves torment. <br />But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.</i></div>
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<i><b>1 John 4:18 (NKJV)</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Fear is a result of not trusting God!</h3>
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<br /></div>
As we come to
the Lord and make Him Lord of our life, we relinquish control of our life. This
is simple to say but the actual working out is very difficult. </div>
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<ul>
<li>We have to
really trust God. </li>
<li>When we really trust God with all of our heart, we become a
superhero for Jesus, </li>
<li>and can accomplish all that we were created for. </li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Bill Johnson - Aslan Ministrieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12767838025807404646noreply@blogger.com0