tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19821753639216235222024-02-20T13:50:45.596-08:00Freshly Bru'dJulie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-62141630076940656392018-08-23T09:41:00.005-07:002018-08-23T09:41:41.913-07:00Freshly Bru'd<br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">For the time being, I will be taking a break from Freshly Bru'd.
I am planning to keep this on hold until further notice. As we enter a new
ministry season at First Free, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to reassess
this ministry. As I rethink the focus and work through the impact of Freshly
Bru'd to our church community, l wish to thank you for your years of readership
and feedback. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-56218309802049103322018-08-16T08:12:00.004-07:002018-08-16T08:12:52.318-07:00I've Got Rhythm<br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">It started this last Monday for over 40,000 Lincoln Public
School students and will begin shortly for homeschoolers, private schools, and
university students. School – class – education. With the start of a school
year comes a new routine, and it usually takes a few days to get into a rhythm.<br />
<br />
I think it’s easy to forget that God created the world with a rhythm by which
we work for six days, followed by a day of rest. All human beings, especially
our students, need a rhythm of rest every single day.<br />
<br />
We all need to take breaks. Yes – even study breaks, enjoy meals, and get sleep
at night so that our bodies may be replenished. Rhythm allows each of us to
opportunity to: engage, then disengage; be involved, then withdraw; work,
study, contribute, then rest and recover.<br />
<br />
When you stop and think about it, God created everything to rest.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nature rests under winter’s
blanket of snow (at least in Nebraska).</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fields rest when the growing
season is over.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bears hibernate.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Snakes shed their skins. (Like
Indiana Jones, ‘I hate snakes.’)</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Animals mate according to a
natural rhythm.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Unfortunately, the human soul sometimes defies the rhythm that
God intended. Carl Honore wrote a book entitled, <u>In the Praise of Slowness:
Challenging the Cult of Speed</u>. Written over a decade ago, when things were
even slower than they are today, he said, “We mock the seasons by eating
imported strawberries in the middle of winter, and hot cross buns, once an
Easter treat, all year round. With cell phones, computers, everyone and
everything is now permanently available.”<br />
<br />
To recognize and live according to God’s rhythms fosters and nourishes life. To
ignore and defy, it says, ‘I know best. I know what I need to do and want to
do.’ Everything gets twisted when that rhythm is ignored. When we do life our
way, the soul dries up.<br />
Solomon had some wise words to say about rhythm. I am sharing Eugene Peterson’s
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">Message</span></em> with you
as he understood Solomon’s wisdom.<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">There’s an opportune time to
do things, a right time for everything on the earth:</span></em><i><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time for birth and
another for death,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to plant and
another to reap,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to kill and
another to heal,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to destroy and
another to construct,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to cry and
another to laugh,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to lament and
another to cheer,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to make love and
another to abstain,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to embrace and
another to part,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to search and
another to count your losses,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to hold on and
another to let go,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to rip out and
another to mend,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to shut up and
another to speak up,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to love and
another to hate,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif;">A right time to wage war and
another to make peace.</span></em></i><br />
-Ecclesiastes 3:18<br />
<br />
What rhythm allows us to ask is this: What time is it for my soul right now?
What does my soul need at this very moment?<br />
<br />
Do you have the courage to ask yourself those questions? If you repeatedly ask
these questions, you will create a culture of life over drivenness, recovery
over burnout, and serenity over anxiety.<br />
<br />
Developing a substantial rhythm for your soul is hard work. It demands honest,
ongoing conversation with yourself regularly. Every week you and your family
ought to ask, ‘Has the pace in which we lived this week been good for us? How
can next week be better and more life-giving?’<br />
<br />
Try this and the speed of your life might be more in your grasp than you ever
realized.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">P.S. Did you know God
has given you a divine enablement to serve others? Do you consider yourself a
person who serves others? Are you generous? These are just some of the
questions we are going to answer as we conclude the series "Rooted in
Christ" and find greater fulfillment in life. Come join us this Sunday
morning, Aug. 19, at 9 or 10:30 am.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-1276993109487681782018-08-09T08:53:00.003-07:002018-08-09T08:53:49.209-07:00I'm Baaaack!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I am looking forward to returning this Sunday to gather with our
church body! I have had a wonderful time of rest with my family during my
vacation, and I cannot wait to share some stories with you this
weekend. <br />In our current series "Rooted in Christ", we have been looking at
eight essential characteristics of being a fully devoted follower of Christ.
This week we will delve into the importance of sharing our story with others.
In conjunction with last week's message, it is powerful considering how we are
called as the church - not as individuals but as a team. Sharing who we are and
how Christ has impacted our lives is one way we build this team and pursue
loving relationships with others in our spheres of influence. Come join us
this Sunday morning, Aug. 12, at 9 or 10:30 am.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-84034454291254478592018-08-02T08:59:00.001-07:002018-08-02T08:59:07.518-07:00Vacation (2)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I am savoring the last moments of vacation with my family. As
summer winds down, the beginning of school is upon us shortly. I
encourage you to be praying over our leaders and teachers during this time of
preparation, as well as for our students' education and well-being as they
return to school. <br />
<br />
In our current series "Rooted in Christ", we are examining eight
essential characteristics of a fully devoted follower of Christ. This Sunday we
will cover the importance of being a part of a gospel-centered community and
living a life worthy of the gospel. Come gather with the church family
this Sunday morning, Aug. 5 at 9 or 10:30 am.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia, serif;">Pastor Mark</span></span></div>
Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-11170167702131312102018-07-26T08:47:00.003-07:002018-07-26T08:47:47.613-07:00Vacation Season<br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">I'm still on vacation with my family for the next few
weeks. I encourage you to join in worship as Pastor Nat preaches again
this Sunday.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Last week we kicked
off a new sermon series called “Rooted in Christ.” We are taking 5 weeks to
look at 8 characteristics of a fully devoted follower of Christ. This week we
will look at the characteristic of prayer. Prayer often frustrates people
because they don’t know how to pray or what to pray. Join us Sunday at 9 or
10:30 am to learn the ingredients of effective prayer.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark</span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-63770693009378660082018-07-17T16:19:00.001-07:002018-07-17T16:19:14.548-07:00Soul Communication<br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">In premarital counseling, I always spend a session with the
couple on the importance of communication within their relationship. I talk
about the five levels of communication.<br />Level 1 is cliché communication like, ‘How are you?’ ‘Fine!’ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Level 2 is like
reporting the news: ‘What did you do today?’ ‘I went to work, I came home.’ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Level 3 communication is sharing an opinion. ‘In my opinion, turnips are
absolutely delicious.’ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">It’s just the person’s opinion and that’s all. T</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">hose
three levels of communication are not deep enough to sustain a healthy, deep
relationship. Although each level goes a little deeper, they do not go deep
enough for a deep, satisfying relationship.<br />
<br />
When we begin to communicate at Level 4- the sharing of a conviction- one
begins to share more of him/herself. You are sharing a part of you. ‘It is my
conviction that children should be loved unconditionally by their parents.’ If
you disagree with my conviction- a part of me is being rejected by you.<br />
<br />
Of course, Level 5- the deepest of all the levels- is the most open, the most
vulnerable, and the most ‘out of the soul’ kind of communication. I tell the
couple that they need this kind of communication if they hope to grow in their
love, become soul mates, and have a deep, intimate, satisfying, and enriching
marriage. I then tell them that to get to this level, you need at least 3
things and these 3 things you really have to work at.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First, you have to minimize
external distractions. You can’t get to Level 5 Communication amidst a
crowd, with screaming kids around, cell phones ringing, televisions on, in
front of the computer, etc.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second, you need time. Soul
talk with anyone cannot happen if you’re always running off to your next
thing or in a few minutes. You need chunks of time.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Third, have patience. You don’t
get to Level 5 Communication the first week of marriage. In fact, after 42
years of marriage, we still have to work at it.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Why am I boring you
with this information? Because if we want to have a deep, intimate,
soul-satisfying, authentic relationship with God, we need to communicate with
Him at Level 5 Communication. In order to get to that kind of genuine soul
talk with God- which we call prayer- it requires hard work. It requires
silence. How much of your life is lived in silence, removed from activity,
noise, and distraction?<br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Second, authentic prayer requires time. It cannot happen in a few minutes, in
your car driving to the next appointment. When was the last time you had a
block of time- I mean an hour or two or three- just to commune with God?<br />
<br />
Third, it takes patience. You have to work at this for a lifetime. It doesn’t
happen instantly. So don’t give up- don’t be impatient but strive to have a
conversation with God at a soul level.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-36437582572313583702018-07-08T09:43:00.003-07:002018-07-08T09:43:45.437-07:00What kind of older person do you want to be?<br />
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<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">What kind of older person do you want to be?<br />
<br />
The question is not designed to describe where you want to live in your older
years or how much money you have in your account. Rather, the question
has to do with your character, your personality, and your style of being as you
see your life moving forward.<br />
<br />
If I were to choose a biblical character who I would love to model in my older
years, it would be Caleb. He was one of twelve men entrusted by Moses
with the responsibility of exploring Canaan, in anticipation of a Hebrew
invasion. Ten said, ‘No, we can’t take back the land.’ Joshua and
Caleb said, ‘Yes, we can!’<br />
<br />
When we read about Caleb again in Joshua 14:6-14, he is in his
mid-eighties. Most of the younger Israelites were being intimidated by
the enemy’s fighting ability. Not Caleb! He stepped forward to take
on the challenge, to fight and take the mountain. (Read Joshua 14)<br />
<br />
Three times in this chapter the word ‘wholeheartedly’ is used to describe
him. Everything he did, he did with his whole heart. This is the
kind of man he became. His enthusiasm, faith, and toughness were not by
accident. Whatever he has done, he has done it wholeheartedly with
nothing held back.<br />
<br />
It takes a disciple, a determination to live life like that. I have known
a few people like Caleb in my lifetime—and I have to be honest – they are
rare. He was always a man who had strong convictions and lived by
them. He was a man who loved challenges and preferred the toughest of
all. He was a man who had unlimited faith that the God of his youth is
the God of his old age. When others were fearful, he wasn’t.<br />
<br />
How many men or women do you know like that- let alone 85-year-olds? What
kind of older person do you want to be?<br />
<br />
Here are some of the characteristics I hope to have in my toolbox from the
older people I have admired through the years. I’m confident they were in
Caleb’s.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">An attitude of gratitude. </span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> This means having a
spirit of thankfulness, rather than ‘the world owes me’ attitude.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">A mind that is sharp
and agile. </span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> I don’t want to quit learning. I want to revel in new
things and new ideas. If my eyes can’t read anymore, I’ll find someone to
read to me.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">“I never want to
retire.”</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Now, that doesn’t mean walk away from a job or a
position. I mean never retire from a life mission of becoming more like
Jesus, using your gifts and talents to influence others to Jesus. Your
income production may change but your value production need not change.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Pave the way for the
next generation.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Let's take an enthusiastic interest in the
accomplishments of the younger generation, making them successful whenever
possible. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Don’t be afraid of death. </span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> We should strive to
have the attitude of Paul when he writes in Philippians 1:21-24: “For to me,
living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live,
I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be
far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to
live.”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">What characteristics would you add to the list? We all are
growing older, so what kind of older person do you want to be? Respond to
me with your answers.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-585212059614603862018-07-02T09:18:00.000-07:002018-07-02T09:18:14.499-07:00Your Personal Mission<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">This week I want to write to you about a mission. Not the
church’s mission, although that is very important. The mission I want to talk
about is your personal life mission.<br />What do I mean by ‘mission?’ It is the foundational intention that provides
meaning and direction to all of your life. If you have a well-defined mission,
it provides the grounds for guidance, the choices you make, and the values you
live by throughout your life.<br />Bill O’Brien, CEO of Hanover Insurance, talks about how people enter business
as bright, well-educated, high energy people, with the desire to make a
difference. Often as people grow older, they lose the commitment, sense of
mission, and the excitement they had when they started. When asked what they
want in life, they state what they’d like to get rid of. We ought to live our
lives with a mission – one that clarifies the things that really matter to us
and living our lives in the service of our highest aspirations.1<br />When you look at the men and women of the Bible, they show us the evidence of
personal mastery of mission-driven living. Some examples include:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moses and his role in the
liberation of the Hebrews. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paul who spent his life
preaching Christ and teaching every person in all wisdom, that we might
present every person as complete in Christ-likeness <strong>(Colossians 1:28)</strong>.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus seeking and saving the
lost<strong> (Luke 19:10)</strong>. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Perhaps my favorite is the priest Ezra. ‘This was because Ezra
had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees
and regulations to the people of Israel.’ <strong>(Ezra 7:10)</strong> I see a couple of principles
from Ezra’s mission statement that each of us should apply to our personal
mission statement.<strong style="font-size: 10.5pt;">First</strong><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, a
mission should include one’s devotion to God. His deepest desire was to please
and honor His God.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><strong>Second</strong>,
it should involve a commitment to God’s redemptive work, such as the proclamation
of the Good News of the Gospel. Now, for Ezra, this was done primarily through
teaching God’s word. But if you’re not a teacher, God still uses you and
desires to use your wiring to proclaim Him to your friends and those you know
who are far from a personal relationship with Him.<br /><strong>Third</strong>, we
are called, given the mandate, to serve our own generation. Ezra returned with
the exiles from Babylon and taught them the word, modeled the word, obeyed the
word before them, not a previous generation. Whether we like our current
culture or not, God has placed us here now to serve it- to point people to the
redemptive power of Jesus.<br /><strong>Fourth</strong>,
your mission should take into account a life of holiness that reflects the
honor and character of God. Christ-likeness means we often will think, and act,
counter-culturally. Obedience is the goal, not becoming the same as the culture
(read Romans 12:1-2).<br />Your mission can be developed by communing with God through worship and praise
and obeying His will. Your mission should follow and honor Jesus in your
values, choices, gifts, abilities, and organize your life according to Biblical
perspectives. Have you written out your personal mission statement? If so,
would you mind sending it to me? I’d love to see it!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Blessings,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br />
<strong>1. </strong>Senge,
Peter. (1990). The Fifth Discipline. Pp. 129-162</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-26603678476269837212018-06-04T09:39:00.004-07:002018-06-04T09:39:53.896-07:00Spirituality or Spiritual Experience<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">My
daughter and son-in-law are healthy eaters. They have lost 40-50 lbs. each and
kept the weight off. I asked them their secret, and they said, ‘Eating healthy
is like having a second full-time job.’<br />
<br />
I responded, ‘What do you mean?’<br />
<br />
‘Well, you have to learn about food and nutrition, and that takes time. Then
you have to know how the digestive system works and what foods are good for
certain digestive enzymes. Again, that takes time. And then you have to
discipline yourself not to eat certain things.’<br />
<br />
They don’t eat processed foods, sugar, bread, fruit (except some berries), red
meat, or many carbohydrates. Everything has to be fresh- that means more trips
to the store. This takes time. Then the food has to be prepared properly. More
time. They take classes and read books on how to cook, prepare good tasting
foods, and how to keep the nutrients in the food. Then you have to have the
cooking tools to prepare the food. On and on it goes; by the time they
explained everything to me, I understood what they meant by ‘it’s like having a
second full-time job.’</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I
would have a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios (which are full of sugar) with milk for
breakfast and feel really satisfied- you know, like a sugar high. They would
eat protein in some form. Guess who would be hungry in about an hour and a
half? Me. They could go hours before needing their next meal.<br />
<br />
I use this illustration to compare the difference between spirituality and
spiritual experience. Spirituality takes time. It takes discipline and
sacrifice. It’s a full-time job of being filled with the Spirit, living
victoriously and abundantly.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Spirituality
is not knowing more Bible stories, memorizing more Bible verses, or being
involved in more church activities. These may be noble ventures but often
become religious busyness more than soul purposefulness.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Spirituality
is the journey in which God is permitted to guide the way, provide the strength
for the journey. It’s learning to take one’s cues from the Holy Spirit, not
from the world around us, having heavenly discernment, conviction, and
decision. It is evident that the Spirit of God has been invited to dwell in
your life (see Ephesians 5:18 and Colossians 3:16).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Spiritual
experience is different. It is like eating Cheerios for breakfast: the
contentment doesn’t last very long. Spiritual experiences require little
discipline of the soul and are usually prompted by an external stimulus (music,
persuasive speaking, or intense feelings). Spiritual experiences can happen at
any time and are regularly a matter of emotion more than anything else.<br />
<br />
Spiritual experiences often bring honor to the musician, speaker, or event
instead of honor to God Himself. In a world where the intensity of an
experience is of great value, we are easily duped into thinking that a
momentary religious experience that leaves us amazed is far more genuine and
satisfying than the hard work of developing spirituality. Let’s not settle for
that.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-37808029775002488812018-05-24T11:21:00.001-07:002018-05-24T11:21:38.347-07:00Make Today Awesome!<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Cindy
and I spent a week with our daughter and son-in-law at their home in Westfield,
Indiana as we celebrated our 42nd Anniversary. In the kitchen of their home is
a plaque that says, ‘Make today awesome.’ It’s the first thing you see when you
walk into the kitchen. It’s really a great mantra to remember.<br />
<br />
The Bible would say it this way: ‘This is the day the Lord has made. I will
rejoice and be glad in it’ (Psalm 118:24). Shouldn’t we start every day
remembering it’s the Lord who gives us this day?<br />
<br />
Shouldn’t we live each day to the fullest? Jesus said it well: ‘The thief’s
purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and
satisfying life.’ In other words, a life that counts. How do you live a life
that counts? By making today awesome! But how do you do that? Here are a couple
suggestions:<br />
<br />
First, start your day rejoicing as Psalm 118:24 declares. Think about three
things you are thankful for.<br />
<br />
Second, live like today is your last. James 4:14 declares, ‘How do you know
what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog- it’s
here a little while, then it’s gone.’ So if today was your last- how would you
live it? Hopefully, you’d say, ‘No different than how I am living it!’<br />
<br />
Third, make the most of every opportunity. Paul says that we should be careful
how we live, not foolishly but as people who are wise. Make the most of every
opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what
the Lord wants you to do (Ephesians 5:15-17).<br />
<br />
Everything we do should be done with eternity in mind. Everything you do today
should be done with a ‘Would Jesus be pleased?’ attitude. Everything you do
today should be controlled by the Spirit, not by your flesh.<br />
<br />
Fourth, never stop praying (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17). Throughout your day be
in an attitude of prayer. I often call this ‘arrow praying.’ Like shooting an
arrow into the sky. I pray, ‘Lord, help me today. Lord, give me wisdom in this
situation. Lord, forgive me for that attitude. Lord, protect me. Lord, thanks
for watching over me.’ You get the idea.<br />
<br />
These are just a few ways to ‘make today awesome.’ What would you add to the
list? Email me your suggestions.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">P.S. Let’s be honest:
Parenting isn’t for wimps. We’ve all got questions about parenting young kids,
maturing kids, adult kids, and </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">grand kids</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">. Where can you turn for some answers?
Join us on Sunday at 9 and 10:30 AM for Biblical insight into some of your most
pressing questions.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-83561086679569713992018-05-17T08:29:00.001-07:002018-05-17T08:29:41.714-07:00Try it on for size this summer<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">In our worship
services, we often talk about being an outward-focused kind of church body.
What do we mean by ‘outward-focused?’ Many things are included, but let me
mention a couple of them.<br />
<br />
First, an outward-focused church thinks about people who are far from God. We
all have people in our spheres of life who do not know Jesus. They are far from
God. God wants to use us to build meaningful relationships with them. As we
build meaningful relationships with people far from God, we pray for open doors
to share Jesus’ love with them. We recognize God is the one who ‘saves’ people
from their sin, but He wants us to invite them to receive Him.<br />
<br />
Second, being an outward-focused church has a Lincoln community presence. By
this, I mean that our church would be missed if it wasn’t here because our
involvement in our community through acts of service make a difference. We want
to love our city, pray for our city, and make our city a better place to live.
That is why we do things like our ‘Day of Service’ each April and community
projects throughout the year.<br />
<br />
The third thing we mean by outward-focused lies within the first point. We want
people to share their faith in Christ without feeling awkward, uncomfortable,
or unnatural. We want sharing the Good News to come naturally, just as you
would feel talking about your favorite topic. We are developing people to
discover how to share the life-changing story of Jesus on the golf course, over
coffee, in the gym, taking a walk, and anywhere and everywhere else.<br />
<br />
We have received some guidance to help us as a church from a book written by
Pastor Kevin G. Harney, entitled Organic Outreach. Here is one simple idea I
want to encourage you to try as you begin your journey with us on being a
church of everyday outreach, or an outward-focused church. The author likes to
ask servers in restaurants if they have any needs he can pray about. He says,
‘Hey when we get our food, we’re going to have a short prayer. If you think of
anything we can pray about for you, just let us know when the food gets here.’<br />
<br />
He said it’s amazing how many servers come back with a need. If they don’t, he
doesn’t bring it up again. He saw even unbelievers wanting prayer. He says this
little thing has opened doors for great conversations, friendships, authentic
sharing, and presentations of the Gospel. The prayers aren’t forced or
manipulated, just a natural part of the relationship.<sup>1 </sup><br />
<br />
So try it! I am. Tell me what you discover.<br />
<br />
Blessings,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">P.S. Being a wife today is
more confusing than ever. You’ve got TV shows, movies, magazine articles, and
social media telling you how to look better, cook better, and be better as a
wife. There’s got to be better advice out there. There is! Join us
Sunday at 9 and 10:30 am to learn what the Bible says is important about being
a godly wife. <br />
<br />
1. Excerpts taken from <u>Organic Outreach</u> by Kevin G Harney. 117-118. </span></span></span></div>
<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-5127242442225343802018-05-10T09:33:00.000-07:002018-05-10T09:33:45.524-07:00A Great Summer Idea<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">With summer
around the corner, I realize for many of us our schedules and routines change.
School is out, vacations are awaiting, we stay up later because the sun sets
later, and there are sports activities to fill our days and nights. Because of
the change in routine and calendar changes, Life Groups usually take a break
and Children’s Ministry and Student Ministries have more trips than their
normal Wednesday activities. It’s easy to believe that summertime is one big
vacation time and fall prey to what I call the ‘summer slump.’<br />
<br />
But God doesn’t take a vacation. He never slumbers or sleeps. He is always with
us. He never takes a break. He never experiences a summer slump.<br />
<br />
To combat the summer slump spiritually, I want to share with you an idea my
Life Group leader shared with our Life Group before breaking for the summer. If
you’re in a Life Group and still meeting, I highly suggest you try this. If you
are not in a Life Group, connect with 2-3 friends and try it. You can do it by
yourself, but it’s far more effective if you try it with at least one other
person.<br />
<br />
Everybody needs a piece of paper (8.5 x 11), a pen, and a 3 x 5 note card. On
the 8.5 x 11 paper, you write down everybody’s responses to the following
question: “How do people grow spiritually?” My Life Group came up with about 20
ways. Here were some of the responses we had:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read the Bible</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Memorize Scripture</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Journal your daily thoughts</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Meditate on a passage and look
for God’s characteristics</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take a walk in nature and enjoy
creation</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pray consistently</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Listen to Praise Music</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serve others</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Our leader then
directed us to look over the entire list and put a check mark by 3 or 4 of them
that you think are the most important to you. Next, take the 3 x 5 note card
and on the top of one side, put your name. Now write the 3 or 4 items you
checked as a SMART Goal (Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic –
Time-sensitive). For example, I wanted to memorize scripture over the summer.
Putting that into a SMART Goal would be: Memorize 2 verses a week, starting May
1 through August 31<sup>st</sup>, for a total of 34 verses.<br />
<br />
You would come up with a SMART Goal for each of the items you checked. On the
back side of the card, you would write three personal prayer requests for
yourself to see God work in your life over the summer.<br />
<br />
Then, exchange your card with another person. Hold them accountable to those
things and pray for them over the summer. Try this idea and I believe you will
not experience the spiritual summer slump that is so easy to fall prey to.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">P.S. What is a Family Hack?
Is it a shortcut? No! Is it a trick of some kind? No. By ‘hack’ we mean skill.
We’re going to talk about skills needed to ‘do’ family in God’s way. Come at
9:00 or 10:30 AM on Sunday to discover some of these skills.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #533916; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-86777398252725826282018-05-06T09:29:00.004-07:002018-05-06T09:29:56.718-07:00The Power of Prayer to Transform a Life<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I heard a
powerful story this week from a friend of mine about his daughter. We had lunch
just to get caught up on life (we have been friends for over 40 years). I had
been praying for him and his wife for years over the challenges they had with
their adoptive daughter.<br />
<br />
She was adopted as a young child. At the time, no one realized she had Reactive
Attachment Disorder (RAD). It’s likely she received negligent care and wasn't
able to form a healthy emotional attachment to her birth mother. This carried
over into the lives of my friend, his wife, and their family.<br />
<br />
The child-rearing years were difficult. The teenage years were a living
nightmare. She was always in trouble at school and home. She struggled with her
peers and rebelled at every level. She drank, did drugs, and ran into trouble
with the law. Even as a young adult, her life was lived in rebellion and it was
hard. Her first marriage ended in divorce.<br />
<br />
My friend said there were times when he and his wife didn’t want to get up and
face the day. Other times when they wanted to pull their hair out. Some days it
felt as though nothing could surprise them anymore. They tried so many
different things, but nothing seemed to help. They just prayed and continued to
pray. There were times when they felt like giving up, but they kept praying and
asking God to get a hold of her life.<br />
<br />
A few months ago, I met with my friend for coffee (actually, a diet coke for
me. I don’t like coffee.) And asked how it was going. “Oh, we are still
praying,” he said. And this week when I asked him he said, “You’ll never
believe what is happening.<br />
<br />
Last week she called and told us amazing things. She is a car detailer and had
her business cards made up with a verse on it: Philippians 4:13 ‘For I can do
everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’<br />
<br />
She had air fresheners made up to put in the cars after detailed with that
verse painted on them. She heard her pastor say, you don’t have to do big
things for God, even the small things matter. So she sits in her customer's car
after she has finished the detailing and prays for them before they pick the
car up.”<br />
<br />
She remarried and has three kids. Wow! You talk about life change. I asked my
friend, ‘what triggered the change?’ He replied, ‘Prayer.’<br />
<br />
I shouldn’t be surprised. The Bible reminds us that the effective prayer of a
righteous man accomplishes much (James 5:16). I hope this story encourages you
to never give up on praying for those who seem like lost causes or those who
are so far from God, it appears like they will never believe. Keep praying. God
has the power to change anyone from the inside out.<br />
<br />
Blessings,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-75316238263585718642018-04-23T08:51:00.002-07:002018-04-23T08:51:17.218-07:00Day of Service<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">This Freshly Bru’d is dedicated to our Day of Service
(DoS). These questions were asked of our Local Outreach Pastor, Nat
Crawford.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"> </span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Q1: What do you see
as the primary objective of the Day of Service? </span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
The objective of DoS is to show the city that we are #4Lincoln in love and in
hope. We want to show the city a picture of Christ’s love through our serving
the non-profits and individuals of Lincoln. We want to share hope through the
relationships we form in these projects with gospel intentionality.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Q2:
When you talk about the church being ‘outward focused’ what does that really
mean?</span></strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">How
are we doing as a church in being outward focused? It means as the Church we
are to gather and then scatter. We are to come together in the various options
to study God’s word, Worship Him, encourage each other, and then go out to the
people in our spheres of influence and invest in their lives. By serving them,
listening to them, and doing so with prayer to share the gospel when God opens
a door. How are we doing? We are gradually becoming more outward focused.
We’re not yet a missional people – people who daily look for everyday outreach
moments and capitalize on those God-ordained outreach moments. I think we’ll
know we’re “there” when the stories fill the boards, our inboxes, and social
media about our time with people who are far from God and the stories of God
saving souls and changing lives.<br />
<br />
<strong>Q3: How many places are
we trying to serve in Lincoln? How many volunteers are needed?</strong><br />
We have more projects and service opportunities this year! We have 25 projects
and 401 volunteer slots. As of today, we have 142 spots available.Currently, we
have 9 sites with zero or only 1 person signed up. One of these projects is
this Saturday, April 21st at Maxey Elementary School. The others with the
greatest needs on April 28<sup>th</sup> are below:<br />
<br />
**Lincoln Parks & Rec: 17 Spots Left**<br />
**Car Wash: 14 Spots Left**<br />
**Lincoln Children’s Zoo: 13 Spots Left**<br />
**Christian Heritage (Afternoon Slot) 12 Spots Left**<br />
**Yard Project: 12 Spots Left**<br />
**Salvation Army: 9 Spots Left**<br />
**Crisis Pregnancy Center: 8 Spots Left**<br />
**Home Improvement Project: 3 spots Left**<br />
**Yard Clean-Up: 3 Spots Available**<br />
<br />
<strong>Q4: If someone still
wanted to volunteer, how could they sign up?</strong><br />
You can sign up for a project at: <a href="https://firstfreelincoln.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b41e9aa3620e6c8a4917b3be8&id=de9dc8a530&e=7d7c3d5aaa" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; word-wrap: break-word;">http://firstfreelincoln.org/day-of-service/</a><br />
<br />
<strong>Q 5: How are we
connecting our service on that day to our local church? Are we inviting people
to church or just telling them we love them? Are we leaving information
or just hoping for the best?</strong><br />
Every encounter we have we want to approach with gospel intentionality and a
culture of invitation. We are #4Lincoln in Community. We want people to feel
welcome to check out First Free. So as you serve at your sights look for
God-sized openings to share the stories of God’s faithfulness in your life and
offer the opportunity to check us out.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"> </span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Q 6: Describe the
prayer time on Wednesday night April 25<sup>th</sup> from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. for
the Day of Service.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
This is a time to come before God in prayer to bless our Day of Service, to provide
opportunities to invite them to our church and to engage in meaningful
conversation about Jesus. And then we’ll worship God in gratitude for the
opportunity to serve Him by serving the city.</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-23305596706625119322018-04-12T12:22:00.001-07:002018-04-12T12:22:26.970-07:00Taxes and Friends Day<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I got the phone
call today I always dread this time of year. ‘Your taxes are ready.’ The reason
I dread it is because no matter how much I pay quarterly, I always have the
privilege of paying a few thousand more. It’s one of the joys of being
self-employed.<br />
<br />
Nobody likes to pay taxes, and I've noticed that the resentment of the IRS has
increased over their misuse of power. Yet, we don’t have it nearly as bad as
people did in Jesus’ day. Back then, the tax collectors could collect more than
a person owed and pocket the difference.<br />
<br />
Jewish tax collectors were seen as traitors to their own people since they
collected from Jews for Rome. Tax collectors were despised. While in Capernaum,
Jesus walked over to this despised tax collector named Matthew. Jesus asked Matthew
to be one of His followers. Can you image how appalled the people were?<br />
<br />
No one was more shocked than Matthew! He was not welcome in the Synagogue and
was despised by his fellow Jews, but contrary to what he knew about himself,
Matthew was chosen by Jesus as one of the original apostles.<br />
<br />
What followed was a big reception for Jesus at Matthew’s house where he invited
other tax collectors and his sinful friends (see Luke 5:27-32). Why would he do
this? Well, Matthew was so moved that Christ had called him to be a follower,
he wanted his friends to meet Jesus and recognize how this Jesus could change
their lives too. So, he invited them all to his party to meet Jesus.<br />
<br />
As Christ followers, I know you and I have friends far from God that we want to
meet Jesus. One way that we can get them to hear how Jesus transforms people’s
lives is to invite them to church. This Sunday is Friends Day. A time when we
put a little more emphasis than every other week on inviting friends to church.<br />
<br />
We begin a new series called ‘First Free Goes to Broadway.’ We will focus on
salvation and redemption through stories found in the creative arts. This would
be a great series to invite friends to hear the transforming power of the
Gospel message.<br />
<br />
When the religious leaders saw what Matthew did, they were appalled. They
thought it was ridiculous that this man Jesus, who called Himself a Man of God,
would mingle with sinners like that. Jesus responded, ‘It is not those who are
well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to
call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’<br />
<br />
Do you have some friends in need of the Savior? Invite them to join you this
Sunday so they can hear how God loves them, how Jesus died for them, then
conquered sin and death by being raised from the dead, and how they can be
transformed by Him from the inside out.<br />
<br />
Blessings,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-27164195328699187942018-04-09T09:19:00.000-07:002018-04-09T09:19:14.438-07:00Smooth Sailing<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">There’s an
African proverb that goes like this: ‘Smooth seas do not make skillful
sailors.’ Have you ever thought of life that way?<br />
<br />
All of us would love things to go our way all the time. But if they did, we
would never learn to trust God for we would never have to trust God.<br />
<br />
Well, we all know that life isn’t ‘smooth seas’ all the time. Hard times come.
In fact, sometimes the waves of hard times capsize us. Relationships are
damaged, financial worries plague us, and there are even times that threaten
war. We are overwhelmed with fear and worry.<br />
<br />
The clouds and the storms really do come.<br />
<br />
Jesus reminded His followers, ‘In this world, you will have trouble.’ But the
good news is He didn’t stop there! He also said, ‘Take heart, I have overcome
the world.’<br />
<br />
Yes, trouble is a fact of life. In fact, if you look at your past week, you
probably can think of some trouble. Trouble at work, trouble at home, trouble
in a relationship, trouble with money, trouble with schedules, trouble with a
personality, trouble with a friend, etc.<br />
<br />
But Jesus has given us a means of finding victory- the real victory- even in
the hard times. And with each hard time as you learn to trust Him, you become
more skillful in living your life.<br />
<br />
Will you allow Him to provide all you need to face the good times and the bad?
Will you allow Him to use the difficult moments of life to develop you with
greater skill in living life?<br />
<br />
He is willing and able to provide triumph, even when things look the darkest.
It is usually through the storms of life that we learn our most valuable
lessons. Put your trust in Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />
James, the half-brother of Jesus, said it well: ‘The testing of your faith
produces perseverance.’</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Blessings,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-21215907178870020632018-03-15T08:36:00.002-07:002018-03-15T08:36:37.702-07:00Does the "when" matter?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I was reading
from the Gospel of Mark this week and came across this verse, ‘In the early
morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away
to a secluded place and was praying.’ (Mark 1:35)<br />
<br />
Is the point of the verse when we pray? I don’t think so. I’m not a morning
person. In fact, I loathe early mornings. And of course, there are those in the
church who love them. And when you serve with them on a committee they love to
meet at 6:30 A.M.<br />
<br />
That means I have to get up at 5:30 A.M. For me, that’s the middle of the
night. Maybe it’s because I have a sleeping disorder that makes it doubly hard
for me to wake up so early. Who knows the reasons?<br />
<br />
But I don’t think the verse is emphasizing the ‘when’ as much as it is the
regularity. Jesus spent a lot of time alone with God. Why? Jesus needed to stay
connected to the Father in order to be refreshed and recharged after the
pressures of his life and ministry.<br />
<br />
Knowing His ultimate purpose on earth was to go to the cross for our sins,
Jesus also needed strength to continue walking in God’s will.<br />
<br />
Even though our most intense pressures and stress pale in comparison to what
Jesus faced at the cross, we too need God’s refreshment, strength, and
encouragement in the face of life’s demands and anxiety.<br />
<br />
For Jesus, it was early in the morning. For me, it’s later in the day. The
issue isn’t the ‘when’ but the ‘are you.’ Are you regularly spending time alone
with God to get recharged? Let me give you a couple tips that have helped me.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Remove distractions.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Jesus went to a secluded place. Silence your cell phone, close
your laptop, turn off the T.V., get away from others, and ask God for a desire
to know Him.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Be vulnerable.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> As Jesus prayed I’m
sure he poured out His heart to God. And so should you. Christ teaches us in
other places that prayer should consist of praising, thanking, and confessing
sin, as well as meeting our needs and praying for His will in our lives. It’s
about 100% vulnerability with God.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Read God’s Word.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> God speaks, teaches,
encourages, and directs us through His Word. We need to listen to Him because
we love Him. It’s His way of revealing Himself to each of us.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Have a regular habit.</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> I believe this verse
emphasizes that this was a habit of Jesus. We should make it a habit of ours.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The more time you spend with God, the more you will understand
the power of God’s love that brings joy, fulfillment, and purpose to life. Ask
God to help you prioritize time with Him today. Just do it. And remember, it’s
not the ‘when’ but the fact that you want to be with Him.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Blessings,<br />Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br />
P.S. As a Christian, do you feel that science and faith are constantly in
tension? Is God anti-science? Are there reasons to believe in God? Join
us this Sunday at 9:00 and 10:30 A.M. as we begin answering these questions and
looking at the evidence for God’s existence.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-74493502887525947302018-03-11T07:44:00.003-07:002018-03-11T07:44:59.631-07:00Who owns your money?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Years ago Cindy
and I began to operate from two principles that we have tried to honor. These
two principles have transformed us, sometimes painfully, but for the better
financially.<br />
<br />
The first principle was the fact that God is the owner of everything we
possess. By “everything,” we mean EVERYTHING (Clothes, house, cars, body,
guitars, toys, computers, food, basic essentials to live, things we have to
enjoy, etc.). And He doesn’t own a portion of it, He owns all of it <strong>(Read 2 Chronicles).</strong><br />
<br />
The second principle is: He calls us to be faithful stewards <strong>(2 Corinthians 4:2). </strong>This,
of course, includes money. It’s all His. Not just what we determine to give to
Him- it’s all His. He gives us the opportunities to make money.<br />
<br />
I state these two principles because it is easy for money to become an idol for
us. An idol is anything in our lives that comes before God. This can be a
person or a thing, a job or career- but very often it’s money. These two
principles call us back to true Biblical stewardship so money doesn’t become an
idol.<br />
<br />
Tim Keller, author and pastor, describes our culture’s obsession with money as
a ‘surface idol.’ What does he mean? People can become enslaved to money when
their real concern is finding security. They build a big wall of protection
around their lives with bank accounts and investments in hopes of protecting
themselves from all the dangers of this world, yet ultimately this desperate
search for security can lead to a heart of greed and stinginess.<br />
<br />
For others, money is the surface idol for acceptance- using money and wealth to
impress others, desperately seeking approval. Obsession with money can also
hide a deeper desire for power and influence.<br />
<br />
Take a look at how you view money. Do you fall into one of the above
categories? Jesus knew that we would be tempted to put money before God <strong>(Read Matthew 6:24).</strong>
That’s why it is so important to remember that all we are and all we have comes
from God. We’re simply a steward, a manager, of all that He has entrusted to
us.<br />
<br />
The easiest way to be sure that you have a healthy relationship with money is
to give it away. It demonstrates our faith and gratitude for all that we have.
It puts God first.<br />
<br />
Does your money own you or does your money reveal that God owns you? The litmus
test is to look at your giving.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fff2cc;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-45648075188904054812018-03-01T09:07:00.002-08:002018-03-01T09:07:17.513-08:00Compassionate Living<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">In 2012, an
online accommodation and hospitality platform began known as Air BnB, with one
section known as Open Homes. Open Homes has helped thousands of people with
safe places to stay while rebuilding their lives after devastating natural
disasters, wars, and other kinds of displacing events. The amazing thing is:
homes listed in Open Homes are totally free.<br />
<br />
Everyday people with hearts of compassion voluntarily open their homes to
strangers, even those with incredibly different backgrounds and beliefs from
their own. Why would compassion lead to this kind of hospitality and care? I
believe the answer is simple: Compassion has the power to transform lives.<br />
<br />
When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were confused
and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. His compassion for them is the
example we, as His followers, are to demonstrate to those in our neighborhoods,
schools, churches, clubs, and workplaces.<br />
<br />
One of the ways we can demonstrate compassion and see that it has the power to
transform lives is to get involved in the Day of Service on April 28th. Through
acts of kindness, we want to show people (especially those who are beaten and
broken down by this world) that we care- that we love them.<br />
<br />
Why? Because Jesus loved us first. Jesus loved us when we were beaten down and
broken. He went out of His way to show love and kindness to us. He chose to
save us by dying on the cross for our sins. It is out of this love that we are
to love others.<br />
<br />
Think for a moment of how you can better love your neighbors, family,
colleagues, classmates, strangers, and community today. May your love and
compassion for others demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus as well as we
serve Lincoln to make it an even better place to live.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of things I want to encourage you to do as we get ready for
our Day of Service on April 28th.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Pray that First Free would be a blessing to the city of Lincoln
and those we serve in our community.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Sign up to serve and
become a part of the Day of Service Volunteer Team (beginning March 18 online
or in the foyer).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;">If you know an
individual or organization in need of help, visit our website to recommend a
project until March 7. <a href="https://firstfreelincoln.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b41e9aa3620e6c8a4917b3be8&id=141d5b2501&e=7d7c3d5aaa" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; word-wrap: break-word;">http://firstfreelincoln.org/day-of-service/</a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Day of Service t-shirts are available for purchase beginning
this Sunday, March 4 for $7 each (cash only).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">P.S. When you hear the word
“evangelism,” what comes to your mind? Do you feel fear? Do you think: ‘that’s
what professionals do?' Do you believe it means memorizing scriptures or using
specific methods? Do you automatically conclude ‘that’s not for me?’ None of
these responses are even close. Join me Sunday as we discover what it really
means to be a witness concerning your faith. See you at 9:00 or 10:30!</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-12223023245034704172018-02-26T09:32:00.002-08:002018-02-26T09:32:24.082-08:00A Sure Bet<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">I am not a
betting man. I have never played a betting game or put any money in a slot
machine. The closest I have come to betting is scratching off or peeling off
some sticker at the local McDonalds to see if I won a free Big Mac or Coke with
my next meal.<br />
<br />
However, if I were a gambling man, one thing in life that is a sure bet is if
you haven’t been in a really difficult situation and you’re not currently in
one, then there is probably one waiting for you right around the corner.<br />
<br />
When a crisis hits, your first response is usually to scream something like,
‘why me?’ Even Jesus asked that question when He was on the cross. Remember
what He shouted? “My God, my God WHY hast thou forsaken me?”<br />
<br />
It’s true that some storms of life are caused by our own sin. However, many
storms occur even when we’re not doing anything wrong. We can be in the middle
of God’s will and doing exactly what He asked us to do!<br />
<br />
That was the case for Daniel. He was obeying God and trying to be a devout,
obedient Jew in Jerusalem. Then King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army
marched from Babylon to Jerusalem, tore down the walls protecting the city,
destroyed the temple, and took the cream-of-the-crop young Jews (including
Daniel) back to Babylon where they were exiled for 70 years. Even though Daniel
was following God, he found himself in a captivity so violent there were times
he wondered if he might not survive.<br />
<br />
Another example comes when Jesus told His disciples to get in a boat and cross
the Sea of Galilee. Even though they were obeying Jesus, they still found
themselves in a storm that was so violent they didn’t know if they would even
survive.<br />
<br />
But here is the important message from these events: with the help of Jesus,
they survived. We must accept the fact that life is not a perfectly smooth
ride. The road will sometimes have bumps, potholes, and sharp turns.<br />
<br />
Look upon these difficulties and tragedies as part of life. Turn to Jesus for
guidance and the Holy Spirit for comfort. Trust in God’s Word and His promises.
He will be beside you as you get through the triumphs and tragedies of life.<br />
<br />
Take a moment to read Matthew 14:22-27. Let your mind focus on the words of
Jesus, ‘Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid.’</span></span><span style="color: #533916; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #533916; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></div>
<br />Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-61092572966997346222018-02-15T08:43:00.004-08:002018-02-15T08:43:46.532-08:00Our Ultimate Destination<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of you may
recognize the name Adrian Rogers. For those of you who don’t, he was a great
preacher, cut from the fabric of what I like to call ‘the great Southern
Baptist tradition.’ I was listening to one of his sermons where he was telling
a story about one predecessor who was known as the ‘Prince of Preachers.’<br />
<br />
He was a man of such oratorical skills and anointing of God that people were
awestruck when they heard him preach. As the preacher grew older he was
hospitalized and was in and out of a coma constantly. On his last day, while
lying there in bed, he suddenly looked up and his eyes grew wide. He said to
his daughter, “It is greater than I imagined; I never did it justice!” Then he
closed his eyes and died in peace.<br />
<br />
Now think about it: He was a great man of God, an incredibly gifted
communicator of the Bible, but as he was finally at the point of stepping over
to the other side of life and catching that glimpse of Heaven, all he could say
was, “It’s greater than I imagined. I never did it justice!”<br />
<br />
In our journey of faith with Jesus, we go through some tough times; difficult
days, dry moments, hard circumstances, and "I do not understand"
seasons. When those days happen, and they will, I want you to remember your
ultimate destination- Heaven. Words can’t explain it; it’s greater than you can
imagine. You will see Jesus face to face. He is greater than you imagined.<br />
<br />
Surely there are no words that can adequately describe how incredible it will
be to come face-to-face with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Until that
day, take a moment today to quiet yourself and read out loud Revelation 21:1-4.
Then, try to imagine what Heaven will be like.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Blessings,<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott<!--[endif]--></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">P.S. How is your
attitude at work? Are you the same when nobody at work is watching you? Are you
a complainer at your job? Are you satisfied with your employment? Why or why
not? This Sunday, at 9:00 and 10:30 AM, we will allow God to give us a work
makeover.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-13619995352703583322018-02-08T08:07:00.002-08:002018-02-08T08:07:13.255-08:00Can Good come from Bad?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">George Barna,
the well-known public-opinion pollster, conducted a national survey: ‘If you
could ask God one question what would it be?’ the number one answer was, ‘Why
is there so much pain and suffering?’<br />
<br />
1 billion people suffer from hunger and every second someone dies of hunger.
The earthquake in Taiwan left thousands without water, 170 missing, and several
dead. There is terrorism unrest. The list goes on and on. Some follow-up
thoughts on pain and suffering are raised: If God is all-powerful and all-knowing,
yet doesn’t stop evil, why should I believe in Him? If He can’t do anything
about all of this, He isn’t much of a God, is He?<br />
<br />
Questions like these can shake our faith and grip us with fear, anger, and
bewilderment. If God is all-powerful and all-good, then how can He allow so
much pain and suffering? As Christians, we know that God is powerful and
loving, but sometimes it feels like He doesn’t care, or that we’re all alone. I
try to keep a few things in mind when I feel that God doesn’t care.<br />
<br />
There are at least four Biblical reasons why a bad thing may be a good thing.
First, we live in a fallen world. God gets blamed for a lot of man’s evil.
Ironically the more victimized people are by man’s evil, the more they tend to
blame God. Second, we do not heed God’s warnings (read Deuteronomy 28:1, 15).
Third, we make foolish decisions. We are not computers programmed to do good or
evil; like God, we can make choices. Fourth, we experience the backwash of life
itself. Sometimes we are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Daniel was
minding his own business when King Nebuchadnezzar’s troops marched into
Jerusalem, destroyed it, and took him to Babylon as a captive. Things like that
happen.<br />
<br />
So, the question remains: Why does an all-loving and all-powerful God allow
suffering and evil? No answer is adequate, but God’s main concern is that we
trust Him to bring good out of the bad (see Romans 8:28). If He did it when
humankind murdered His innocent son, then He can do it with all of the pain and
unrest in 2018. Let’s live by God’s promises, not man’s expectations.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">P.S. Have you ever read
articles titled '5 steps to being a better parent' or '7 tricks to getting a
new kid by Monday?' They always sound so good and simple but are never as easy
to implement. What does God have to say about being a godly parent or child?
Join us this Sunday at 9:00 or 10:30 AM to find out.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></div>
Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-2857419346823827732018-02-05T09:06:00.000-08:002018-02-05T09:06:04.700-08:00Outreach Discoveries<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Nat, our
Pastor of Local Outreach, has the ministry team reading a book entitled <u>Organic
Outreach for Ordinary People.</u> Written by Pastor Kevin G. Harney, the
emphasis is on sharing the Good News naturally.<br />
<br />
I’d like to pass on a couple of the principles I’ve been learning lately about
personal outreach and evangelism. First, the roadblocks we all face in sharing
our faith with non-believing friends is nothing in comparison with the joy of
seeing Jesus change a friend’s heart from the inside out. Whatever risk you
took to share your faith was well worth it.<br />
<br />
The second thing I’m learning is that there really is no set program for
evangelism and outreach. Perhaps the best approach is simply to invite people
to join you in the regular activities of your life. If your faith is real, it
will shine through in the way you live. What might this look like practically?
If you’re going to an event, ask them to join you. Think of all the things you
do that you could invite someone to join you! Going to lunch, going shopping,
going to work out at the gym, or going to a concert.<br />
<br />
When you get there, be yourself. You don’t have to force a conversation. Let
people see the real you. If the subject of faith comes up, don’t be
embarrassed. Let people see how Jesus is a normal part of who you are.<br />
<br />
The key to outreach is casting the seed wherever we go, knowing it’s God who
brings the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). I love the way Kevin Harney describes
outreach, “It’s like trying on clothes. Before making a clothing purchase, most
people will try on a shirt, a pair of pants, or some piece of clothing to see
how it fits. If the clothing is too tight or too loose, they’ll try another
size. If the color or style really does not work for them, they may put it back
on the rack. When buying clothes, we often try several options to see what
works” (<u>Organic Outreach for Ordinary People</u>, p. 148).<br />
<br />
He goes on to say outreach is often like that. We try something to see how it
goes. If it feels natural or organic, we wear it. If it just doesn’t fit well,
we try something else.<br />
<br />
Would you be willing to try inviting your unbelieving friends to join you in
the regular activities of your life? Go ahead, give it a try! To borrow the
well-known phrase of Dirty Harry, “Go ahead, make my day.”</span></span><span style="color: #533916; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-71260121570990913792018-01-25T08:01:00.003-08:002018-01-25T08:01:47.033-08:00How to say "YES"<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you feeling
overwhelmed; like there is so much to do, but you don’t have enough time to get
it all done? Are you always late for appointments? Are you so busy with
activities that you find yourself double-booked too often?</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
If you answered ‘yes’ to these, you probably are suffering from a time
management problem. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to the problem:
Manage your time better. Duh!<br />
<br />
Let me give a tip that may help you manage your time better. It’s really a
simple principle: Every time you say ‘yes’ to something, say ‘no’ to something
else. The principle reminds us that we can’t do everything. We can’t afford
everything. We can’t attend, sign up our children, or be involved in everything
(even though many of us try.)<br />
<br />
You can’t say ‘yes’ to everything. The choice is yours as to what you will say
‘yes’ to and what you will say ‘no’ to. Let me give you some examples. If you
say ‘yes’ to exercise, you have to say ‘no’ to sleeping in later in the
morning. If you say ‘yes’ to eating healthy, you have to say ‘no’ to chips,
candy bars, andsnacking. If you say ‘yes’ to eating together as a family, you
have to say ‘no’ to running your kids everywhere. If you say ‘yes’ to being in
a Life Group, you will have to say ‘no’ to something else when your Life Group
meets. If you say ‘yes’ to the golf course every Saturday, you will have to say
‘no’ to some other activity.<br />
<br />
By the way, this principle is true of church ministries too. No church can say
‘yes’ to every kind of music, dress, style, and service time. Churches say
‘yes’ to the one they believe fits them the best with what God wants to
accomplish through them.<br />
<br />
The point of the principle is we need to understand the implications. When you
say ‘yes’ to something, you say ‘no’ to something else, maybe multiple things,
but it happens every time. Most of us want to do everything, be liked by
everybody, and never want to miss out, so we say ‘yes’ too much. Remember this:
It’s okay to say ‘no.’ In fact, take a deep breath right now and say ‘no’ out
loud.<br />
<br />
It is also necessary that when you say ‘yes,’ you do so strategically. When we
say ‘yes’ strategically, we live more strategically. Is it more strategic to
exercise or sleep in? Is it more strategic to eathealthy or snack? Is it more
strategic to have family meals together or run the kids everywhere? Only you
can answer these questions for you.<br />
<br />
However, if you find yourself hectically busy, overwhelmed, and feeling like
there isn’t enough time in the day, try this time management principle of
“every time you say ‘yes’ to something, say ‘no’ to something else” and see if
it makes a positive difference in your life.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P.S. Do you know that what you wear matters? We may not like it, but
people judge the inside by the outside. Who I identify with is revealed by what
I wear. What does this mean for us as Christ followers? Join me this week at
9:00 AM or 10:30 AM to discover the meaning.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span></div>
Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1982175363921623522.post-4591063243119846282018-01-18T09:23:00.001-08:002018-01-18T09:23:25.387-08:00Expectations. Should the Church have some?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Last week
someone asked me, “What do you expect from those who attend First Free?” I
first responded with, “What a great question.” Most of the time I get asked
about programs, ministries, views about certain doctrines, but rarely an
expectation question.<br />
<br />
My answer comes from our partnership covenant that we ask every partnering
attender to sign. It really challenges if you have made two commitments based
on 2 Corinthians 8:5. First, a commitment to Christ personally. In other words,
you have trusted in Him as your Savior. Second, you have made a commitment to
one another in the context of a local church.<br />
<br />
We expect people (yes, expect) to protect the unity of the church by acting in
love (Romans 14:19) towards other partners, refusing to gossip (Ephesians
4:29), and following the leaders (Hebrews 13:17).<br />
<br />
Second, we expect them to share the responsibility of the church by praying for
its growth (1 Thessalonians 1:2), inviting their unchurched friends to attend
(Luke 14:23-24), and warmly welcoming anyone who visits.<br />
<br />
Third, we expect people to serve the ministry of the church by discovering
their gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10), being equipped to serve- with the help
of our pastors (Ephesians 4:11-12), and developing a servant's heart
(Philippians 2:3-4, 7).<br />
<br />
A fourth expectation we have is to support the church by attending faithfully
(Hebrews 10:25), living a godly life (Philippians 11:27), and giving regularly
to the church (1 Corinthians 16:2).<br />
<br />
All of these expectations are based on the Bible and are the desires of Jesus
for the church He is building. If you would like to learn more about this
expectation and commitment and become a partnering member, contact <a href="mailto:babbott@firstfreelincoln.org" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-wrap: break-word;">Brian Abbott</a> or <a href="mailto:jflorom@firstfreelincoln.org" style="text-size-adjust: 100%; word-wrap: break-word;">Julie Florom</a>, or call the church office at
402.483.7635.<br />
<br />
Together as partners, I know we can accomplish our mission: to introduce people
to Jesus Christ, develop them into full, devoted followers, and equip them to
reach their neighborhoods.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Blessings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">Pastor Mark "The Bru" Brunott</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">P.S. Do you ever feel a
weight is on your back because you keep holding on to something you know God
wants you to let go of? You tried to master it, but it seems to keep mastering
you. What do you do? Join us this week at 9:00 AM or 10:30 AM as we discover some
answers to your questions.</span></span><span style="color: #583405; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>Julie Floromhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01175586581294646365noreply@blogger.com0