Set Your Mind Above

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We went to the Ark Encounter a few days ago, and I was shocked to find that something was distracting my daughter from the animals in the zoo. What was it? Gravel. She wanted to pick up rocks rather than see the animals she could only find at the zoo. When it was time to leave, she changed her mind, but by then it was too late. Well...how often we do chose the worthless things over this world over fixing our eyes on Jesus? Despite being given chance after chance, we continue pursing the worthless lusts of the flesh. If you wait until the end before you repent, by then it will be too late. Turn your eyes on Jesus, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory & grace. 

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Have you ever come home smelling like work? When you are immersed in a distinct smell, like on a farm, or working fast food, you end up coming home smelling like what you were immersed in. This has happened to me many times, as I am sure it has happened to you. Well...a shepherd should smell like their sheep. Leaders of the Lord's church do not do so from a distance. They are immersed in the flock that is literally to be among them. They are serving, assisting, teaching, and building up the saints in and outside of the collective assembly. If churches want to cultivate growth and healthy sheep, it starts with this attitude among the shepherds. 

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We are currently undergoing a lot of changes. We are prepping for the new baby, which will of course be the biggest change. The kids are starting to share a room. We sold our small car. We changed auto, home, and health insurance. There is a lot happening over here. New beginnings and endings can be scary, but they are inevitable. Well...Solomon teaches us that there is a time for everything. We must see the blessings both in the beginning and the end of a thing. If we constantly live in the past, we will miss the blessings of the future. This life will always bring change, but one day in a new heavens and earth, we will be unchanging as God himself is unchanging. 

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Tonight is full of anticipation, and that's because my three day men's golf trip begins tomorrow. 12 of us are headed to Tennessee to hit 72 holes over 3 days. But it's not about the golf, as we always say, "It's about the food and fellowship." I'm excited about this trip because of how I will bond with these men, and be encouraged by them. I won't remember the golf details, but I will remember our time spent together. Well...the first century church models for us the importance of spending time together in food & fellowship. That we not just merely worship together, but that we also spend time bonding and growing with each other in our homes and throughout the week. If we want to grow in our relationships with each other, we must strive to spend time together. 

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I am so done with Facebook marketplace and these other platforms. We are trying to sell our vehicle, but nearly every message is a dead end. They never answer, never show up, or low ball you. But the worst? The scammers. The one's that intentionally are out to deceive you and steal from the unsuspecting. Educating yourself about their tactics is essential. Well...the greatest con artist is Satan. We seeks to deceive and destroy us. However, we are not ignorant of his schemes. We must be alert and equipped, and in doing so, we can save our very souls from falling prey to his lies. 

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We have two toddlers and one on the way. So, why not get a puppy, that sounds completely sane...right? We are crazy. How we got this dog was crazy. We drove 5 1/2 hours each way up into Northern Ohio to get him on a whim. We didn't get home until well after midnight, and why? Because parents will do some crazy things for the children they love. Well...how much more so does God love his children? Is there anything more crazy than becoming a part of his own creation and subjecting himself even to the point of death? God's love is unfathomable. And if he didn't even spare us his son, what else won't he give us according to his will? He truly is a good, good father. 

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Well, just as soon as I’m back from vacation, I’m turning right around and going back out of town once again. I’ll be wheels up tomorrow in route to Colorado, where I will be heading up a youth lectureship with the Pratt Parkway Christians that meet in the in city of Erie. I am so looking forward to my time there, not only to catch up with some old friends, but to make many new ones as well. As I like to frequently say about the Lord’s church, “It’s a small world, and a big family.” 

While originally, I was planning to drop a podcast with me at the helm once again today, because of the quick turnaround we are going to have one final guest episode for this week before I pick the microphone back up next episode. Today our guest is a man who has become a dear friend of mine over the past few years. He is a father, a gospel preacher, and a fellow podcaster, and his name is Adam Shanks. Adam labors as an evangelist for the Edwards Lake church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, and is the host of the “Preach Impediments” podcast. I would highly encourage you to not only follow his preaching, but also his work behind the microphone where Adam brings guests onto his show to discuss religious terms & biblical words that are often misunderstood or misapplied. Above all, Adam has a deep-rooted love for the Lord, and for serving others. That will become extraordinarily clear as you listen to him today. So, without any further delay, take it away Adam. 

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We will be returning from our vacation tomorrow, but are still enjoying our time in the mountains! So, today, you have another special treat for the second week in a row. My good friend Hal Hammons of the Citizens of Heaven podcast is taking up the microphone today. Who knew a dog's special diet that excludes chicken could teach us so much about our spiritual diet and what we take in? You don't want to miss this episode! Thank you Hal - you have greatly encouraged me and all of our listeners! 

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We are currently on vacation! But that's not stopping the podcast thanks to a few good friends. Today, Dr. Kenny Embry from the Balancing the Christian Life Podcast takes the microphone up. He shares with us a story about pulling up their carpet, taking everything out, and learning what needs to be put back in. Who knew that something as simple as replacing your carpet could teach us such profound lessons about Jesus and his Kingdom? You won't want to miss this!

Be sure to tune in next week as well for a second guest, Hal Hammons from the Citizens of Heaven Podcast. 

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I keep breaking things. This time, it was my computer. I have tried and tried with Windows computers, but they all seem to give out after just a few years. So finally, after asking for some help from some computer experts, I made the switch to a Mac - something I had shrugged off for years. My friends, I am NEVER going back! I didn't realize how good it can be, my MacBook Pro is far superior. I just wish I had made the switch sooner. Well...this is not all that different than our journey to faith. We all had heard about Jesus, but we simply shrugged it off. We were content where we were. But when everything kept failing around us, and nothing seemed to work, we humbled ourselves to consider what we had always rejected. And once you taste and see that the Lord is good, and how far superior life in Christ is, you will NEVER go back. 

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