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The MasterCard Symbol Jul 26, 2021

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Why can't we just all agree on everything? Why don't people see things like you see them all the time? And does a healthy relationship demand such? Well, on that last one, I sure hope not! The truth is, we see things differently than even our closest friends. How do we deal with that? I have to tell you, there are a lot of relationships that are defined by the differences. And those relationship are awful. Maybe its a marriage, or a blood brother. All they can think about is how they disagree and why that prevents them from growing. We can do better. We must.
The MasterCard symbol is here to help. You may not agree with all I have to say about that... but that's kind of the point! ;-) Let's celebrate what unites us and then work on the rest.
- How do you deal with people in your life who disagree with you on things?
- Is every disagreement worth fighting over? How do you tell the difference?
- What is usually true of every friendship that needs more focus and appreciation?
- Do brethren sometimes let their differences lead to division? Why?
- Is there hope in your home and church and life found in a small orange area?

The Hope Experiment Jul 19, 2021

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I am apologizing in advance. The experiment behind today's episode is pretty morbid. I in no way hope that you find yourself swimming for your life in a oversized test tube. I also feel like the feedback that is coming will ensure no more episodes feature rats, dead or alive.
However... for today... I have an old scientific experiment to share with you. If a rat can change it's potential by 240X from just a moment's infusion of hope, how much more so you and me? Consider the power of hope in your life, and what it means to believe in God's hand, your own strength, and the support of the people you love!
- Why did a group of scientist drown a bunch of rats?
- Okay that may not be defensible, but what was learned from that experiment?
- What has God done in your life to give you hope for tomorrow?
- What have you done for yourself in the past to build hope in your own strength?
- Who loves you so much that they have come to your rescue and will do it again soon?

Love and Light Jul 12, 2021

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This episode feels important. Sure, I want to talk to you about your influence. I want to talk to you about the love in you and who gets that love and how longsuffering your are with it. And yes, I want to ask about your light. I want to tell you that you reflect Christ and the world needs to see you illuminated in His name. All of that is important.
But it is also impossible. Yes, you heard that right, it cannot be done. Unless... Unless the love of God is real in your life. Unless the light of God warms your soul. Too many Christians, in my experience, are living with less than great love and with dimmed lights, because that reflects what they see in God. And there is so, so much more!
- How would you describe God's love for you?
- How would you describe the light of God in your life?
- Is it possible to love others well if we do not know God's love well?
- Is it possible to shine brightly if the light of God is not bright in our own lives?
- And how wonderful will our love and light be if we sob beneath the realization of God's?

Looking For Adventure Jul 05, 2021

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I'm in search of someone who is looking for adventure. Who is ready to step out there and do something that most people will not do. You need to know, it won't be easy. And there are risks that it might not go as planned. And you have no way to predict what will happen next!
But the alternative... being stuck in the system, in the mundane, in a machine that isn't really you and doesn't represent who you want to be... well, I'm done with that. Maybe you are as well. If so, hop in for a big decision. Jordan Peterson wrote a new book giving us 12 more rules for life. In promoting that book, he spoke of the most adventurous thing you can do.
- Why aren't more people willing to take a risk to get a genuine reward?
- Before the big jump, what is the most satisfying thing you can do day by day?
- Are you sharing your true feeling with others? Or is that just too scary?
- What is the proper process to becoming truly transparent with others?
- What are some tremendous things that might happen when you take today's adventure?

"Don't Blame Anybody" Jun 28, 2021

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Jon Rahm had his heart broken. He was winning a major tournament, just one day away from 1.7 million dollars. And then, it all went away, all of the sudden. What happened to him was terrible, unfair, and infuriating. But how would he respond? Would he blame everyone? Would he use it as an excuse to behave poorly? Nope. This dude is solid. And the attitude he put on display is an example to us all. Oh, and good attitudes lead to good outcomes!
- Have you recently had something unfair happen to you in your life?
- How did that make you feel and what did you want to do about it?
- Is it important to keep your cool, put it in perspective and move forward?
- How many people are influenced by how you handle tough breaks?
- Is it possible a bad break today can lead to your big break tomorrow?

Jar of Rocks Jun 21, 2021

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Life is busy. Everyone says this and we all mean it! So how do we keep the stress down and make sure everything important gets done? And done well?
Maybe we need to evaluate how we order elements of our lives. Maybe if we keep putting small things first, we aren't giving big things the space they need to be successful. Let's walk through a visual illustration that can help us order things well and have far less stress.
- What happens when little things take priority over bigger things in our schedule?
- How can starting with the essential relieve stress and make our weeks more smooth?
- What about if there is just to much? How do you cut things out aren't essential?
- And what if big things in life get HUGE? Like an illness or crisis? Are we ready for that?
- Are you interested in a well ordered, effortless week, where everything just fits? Me too!

An Evangelistic Culture Jun 14, 2021

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Has anyone ever told you that evangelism is important? I would imagine you've heard it 100 times. We preachers talk about how God has called us to spread the Word in all circumstances. We talk about whole churches being active in teaching Jesus to others. And yet, many churches, and many individuals, just haven't gotten the hang of it.
Not that it is absent altogether. We each and all have our shining moments, and maybe can even name someone who is a Christian because God brought them into our lives. But what if that was not an exception? What if soul winning became your identity? What if the church where you worshipped was known all over the State for its evangelistic culture?
- What is evangelism and why aren't most of us better at it?
- What is a "church culture" and how important is knowing yours?
- What happens if we want to do a thing but haven't prepared to do that thing?
- How can whole churches position themselves to be better soul seekers?
- Have you checked out the totally free Gospel Message booklet? Head to www.lindalechurchofchrist.com and click on "The Gospel Message" box.

Let's Talk "Fellowship" Jun 07, 2021

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The word "fellowship" has always been a challenge for me. I was raised for a while to believe it meant one thing. And then, later, it seemed I was being told something opposite. Today, from the Scriptures, I see something beautiful. Fellowship is an invisible thing, a spiritual and eternal thing, that shows itself, proves itself, in real time with people of faith. I want to explore the incredible facets of koinonia, from the spiritual to the physical.
We need this. After that pandemic, we need this. But also, because of the ideas that some have, ideas the lead us away from worship to our own spiritual experiences. I preached a sermon on this at the Lindale church, but here we cut straight to chase on Christian fellowship.
- What does the word "fellowship" mean to you?
- Is fellowship spiritual, physical, or both?
- How does your church, and the Christians in your life, demonstrate fellowship?
- Why do our young people need to understand the mutual, shared aspect of faith?
- How will New Testament fellowship lead to explosive growth in the church today?

Fixing Your Windshield May 31, 2021

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Last year we got a crack in the windshield of our 2018 Honda Odyssey. We had months to fix it, but didn't. This Spring, that little crack became a massive one that ran all the way across the driver's sight line! At that point, we had no choice. But we also had not options. It had to be replaced and the cost was HUGE. I sure wish we would have addressed that earlier, for FREE!
Lots of cracks, chips, little problems pop up in our lives. If they are on the passenger's side, we tend to forget about them. But they usually don't go away on their own. They grow under severe climate changes! And most of the time we wish we would have taken care of them much earlier, before they became such a big and costly deal. Let's talk about that!
- Why are windshields free to repair and $1400 to replace?
- Why do we wait to fix them when the above answer is so clear and known?
- How do we sometimes make this same mistake in our personal lives?
- What is the power of Early + Often = Less
- How can we apply all of this to Faith, Friendship, Fitness and Finances?

Have A Heart May 24, 2021

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I want to introduce you to the most marvelous, life changing book! I cannot recommend it enough. It is called the "Gospel of Luke." Maybe you have read it before. But have you read it lately. And more importantly, have you read it in search of the heart of Christ? His compassion and love for people, and His charge for disciples to help and teach and give... unbelievable.
I'm afraid many churches haven't focused enough on the love of people found in the Gospels. Focusing on the church and the epistles and the patter of worship and collective work is all important - but only if it is built on the feelings Christ had for God and for people.
- What did Christ feel for the lost?
- What did it mean to the Father for someone to be restored to Him?
- What did Christ want done for the poor and hurting?
- Has He positioned us to be His hands of service to the needy?
- Can we think less of ourselves and more about the joy God feels when people are helped?

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