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We recently went to the Cincinatti zoo with some good friends, and one of the exhibits is for nocturnal animals. It was very dark, and at first the kids could not see a thing. Our friends reminded them to give it time, the longer they stayed in the dark the more comfortable their eyes would become. 

Unfortunately, we can become all to comfortable with darkness too. We can be like those Jeremiah warned about, who don't even know how to feel humiliation anymore. The longer you walk in darkness, the less it bothers you. May we strive to walk in the light. 

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I love chicken and tomatoes. I eat them every week, and they are in many of the meals that we make as a family. However, after getting allergy testing done, it turns out my love for them might be what has been fueling a lot of my health issues. I'm allergic to them both. 

Sin works that way in our lives too, doesn't it? Before we came to Christ, we participated in the flesh every day. Things we didn't know were wrong, things we didn't know were killing us spiritually. But when we came to a knowledge of the truth, we had to make a change. 

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This week has been full of bloodshed and tragedy in the US - from school schootings, merciless and senseless murders, and assasination - hearts are heavy. 

How does the Christian respond to this? 

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"You don't love me anymore" - these were the words of our soon to be 3 year old to her mother and me. Why? Because we told her that she had to eat her dinner. We had to laugh - kids can be so dramatic. The rules are there because we love you, kiddo. 

We're not all that different as the children of God. Sometimes we doubt God's love, because we don't get what we want, or because he restricts us in what we do. However, that is the very proof of God's love, becuase he discliplines and instructs us like a Father. 

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Fantasy Football is back! To draft a good team, you have to remember several things. One, you can't overload on one position - you need to cover all your bases, because each position is important. Second, you need depth - have compitent back ups ready to go. Third, you need to keep your eye on the waiver wire and expand your team. 

The church is not all that different. You can't focus on one person - each role is important in the body. Second, we need depth in the church - those who are being trained and equipped to step up and serve. Third, we need to expand our "roster" and go out to fulfill the great commission! 

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Today is a special episode - my daughter Ava has been asking to help with the podcast for quite sometime. Today, she finally got that opportunity - and she even got to pick the topic. She wanted to discuss the dangers of vanity. 

Tune in to hear a discussion between my daughter and I about what we should pursue in this life, and remembering to hold things in their proper place so that they do not end up becoming vain. 

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We had an unexpected life event last week, as my wife ended up in the hospital for a period of four days. Over those four days, we received an outpouring of love and support from our local church family. We needed help, and they responded. 

This is how God designed the church. It's not like a family, it is a family. Serving one another is never a burden, nor is there ever a limit to this. We love, we serve, and we fullfil the law of Christ as each member as they same care for one another. 

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As my grass started growing back in after a fresh cut, I noticed a distinct pattern to how entire strips of grass were longer than the sections next to it. As I looked at my mower, I discovered that one tire was going flat, and therefore it was unbalanced. It left my yard looking like a terrible haircut. 

Imbalance in our lives can lead to all kinds of problems - at home, with our children, our jobs, our diets. But perhaps most importantly, we need balance in how we teach the whole counsel of God. We cannot neglect faith to teach grace, nor can we neglect grace in teaching faith. Jesus reveals the Father - full of grace & truth. If we want to know God, we must understand and teach both these things. 

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My good buddy Jacob Stout, who is a very talented golfer, was recenlty golfing with another friend of his. He hit a decent shot, but he wasn't pleased with it. When he got in the cart, his buddy goes, "You know you'll never be good, right? You'll only be better." 

Isnt' that the truth with our spiritual walk as well? There is only one who is good - Jesus Christ. We will never be perfectly good, there will always be something we must grow in and be more consistent with. But if we work hard, we can be better! 

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My mind has been on the residents of Kerr County all week, after the flash flooding and mass devastation that has occured. 120 are confirmed dead with 170 still missing. I cannot imagine that kind of loss. My words can do little to help them or make things better...but I can direct my words to the One who can. 

God's words have power. He has the power to create and sustain. The power over nature, and even by his mere word he has the power over life and death. So please - serve, give, and love those who are suffering - but don't forget to pray. Pray is not the lease we can do, it's appealing to the one who can do the most. 

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