God

All posts tagged God

DESTITUTE

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2012/04/20
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des-ti-tute : (\’des-te-t(y)ut\

adjective

1: lacking something needed or desirable <a lake destitute of fish>

2: lacking possessions and resources; especially : suffering extreme poverty <a destitute old man>

Synonyms: beggar, broke, poor, down-and-out, famished, hard up, impoverished, indigent, needy, penniless, poverty stricken.

Her name (fictitious) is Karen …she’s 35 years old…she has 2 children…she’s stricken with guilt and shame…she can’t provide…she’s hungry…her family never met her needs growing up…she’s been beaten by every man in her life…she “uses” to burn the pain away…she sells herself to anyone who will pay (to support her habit and put food on the table)…yet, she’s worthy!

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  Proverbs 31: 8

Image

Perspective

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2012/04/15
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The below words were written by my 17 yr old daughter, Ani, for a class project.  Ani is a junior at Grand Blanc HS in Grand Blanc, Michigan.  She has a heart for serving others and has participated in various local missions opportunities.  She has built a church in the tribal village of Muxeye, South Africa, and will be traveling to Belize this summer to provide for the less fortunate.  I love her heart…read her words:  

Perspective

Judgmental eyes follow my every action.

I’m filled with loneliness, yet,

surrounded by many stares.

I can  not reach other’s satisfaction;

There are few filled with compassion.

Wishing for a pillow other than the broken road,

I dream people would see me as one other than a poor Pariah.

I live in a world set on an unknown mode.

Children’s pointing fingers ask,

“Why is that man shoeless and dirty?”

I push away the unwanted judgement,

For they do not have the right to judge my life.

I seek for a splinter of hope,

as I look up to see the eyes of God shine through a young child say,

“I Care!”

Ani

…The “HEART” of the matter…

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2012/02/14
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I took this picture to make a Valentines Day card for Tracy and my girls. In doing so, I was fascinated about a deeper meaning to the picture.  I went into the gift shop at Central Church (near my office) and pulled a bible off the shelf to accommodate the setup.  I placed the bible on a stand and opened it to the middle (curling each center page to the left/right and creasing it into the margin) to create the heart.  In doing so, I was reminded that the heart of God can be found in the “center” of the scripture….and he can also be found in the margins of life!  Proverbs 23:26 says, “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.”  Psalm 20:4 says, “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”  I think these scriptures give us much insight into His desire for us…He can find you in the “center” or the “margins”…but you must be available to Him!  It’s amazing what you find when you “open the book!”Image

What “Chains” You?

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2012/02/09
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Psalm 107:14 says, “He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.” As I look at this picture, I’m reminded how many “things” are chained up in the city where I live. Gates, blockades, abandoned schools, old hospitals, businesses, and the list goes on and on. An illustration can easily be made to our lives. Decisions we’ve made, places we’ve been, people we’ve been close to, places we’ve worked, and even sometimes our homes….could all be places where we feel “chained.” The scripture writer in Psalms gives us great hope and he says, “He brought them out of (utter) darkness…” and their chains were broken! What “chains” you today? I know what it is for me that could so easily “chain” me. What is it for you? Are you willing and ready to have your chains of utter darkness broken? There is hope…when you’re ready!

Nothing of the Old Life!

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2012/02/02
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Old GM Factory

2nd Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

I see this picture of an old GM plant and I think of this scripture….old things will pass away, and (in Christ) all things will be new.  Part of the difficult part of seeing things (buildings, houses, businesses, etc.) deteriorate, is that many times there’s no hope for a “resurrection.”  What has been, will never again be!  But as we live in Christ, we are new creatures.  Made new by and through His loving sacrifice for us.  As we look at our lives and see areas of “deterioration,” we need to remember to allow Christ to “make them new again.”  His work in us is enough…we no longer need to be satisfied with our old selves…we can be new in Him!  It’s a matter of choice…which decision will you make?

Contaminated?

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2011/04/29
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1 Timothy 1:3-7 gives us insight into the disciple Timothy’s life.  As “mentor,” Paul has carefully sent written instruction.  Paul urges young Timothy to “mature” in Christ.  Paul boils this message down to one simple concept: love. Not just love, but “love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith.”  Have you considered what “love” really looks like?  Is your love contaminated by self-interest…preconceived ideas…or bias that has been clinging onto your life for some time?  Paul asks that we remain ”open” to God in order that we might “reconsider” what love really looks like.  I love how successful businessman, Christian speaker and author Zig Ziglar puts it.  Sometime (he says) we need “a checkup from the neck up.”  Maybe instead the neck…we need “a new start from the heart.”

Finding God?

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2010/06/26
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One of the things I enjoy in life is nature!  Last night I sat on my deck with my family and we enjoyed seeing the deer come out from the woods.  Then God gave us an unbelievable sunset to enjoy. The scripture says we are to look into the heavens for “evidence” of Him.  I think we saw His presence last night as we viewed His handiwork!