tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74888930450021142762024-03-26T16:36:28.739-05:00Ecclesiastes 12:10The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.comBlogger943125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-38873856281936636802024-03-22T13:30:00.001-05:002024-03-22T13:30:00.138-05:00 Less of a Cure Than You Would Think<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZSH6Pog7Qhs-iQyhG5qRLDUsGq-d1jFoLFCwUqzDvWS4Bk2PjJIZLSrlPmsESa-WjCltpzh5aLLGlE_2H-jTv7M6guKz7l6tHaJqYNKaJ5pd_ABaqQ5hVPwqW8Np8vuDkv7TZPuFKvNQvjEfNKRmz2Rfqfr9V8SzSI3g7rJbPi0f5xSRPpsZYd9oQ9A/s708/doctor-bad-news.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="708" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZSH6Pog7Qhs-iQyhG5qRLDUsGq-d1jFoLFCwUqzDvWS4Bk2PjJIZLSrlPmsESa-WjCltpzh5aLLGlE_2H-jTv7M6guKz7l6tHaJqYNKaJ5pd_ABaqQ5hVPwqW8Np8vuDkv7TZPuFKvNQvjEfNKRmz2Rfqfr9V8SzSI3g7rJbPi0f5xSRPpsZYd9oQ9A/s320/doctor-bad-news.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">A man comes into a doctor's office and
frantically asks the doctor, “Do you have a cure for hiccups?” The doctor stands
up and slaps the man right across his face. The stunned man says, “Why did you
do that?”. The doctor smirks and responds, “Well, do you still have the
hiccups?” The confused man replies “I never did, it’s my wife who has them, she
is out in the car”</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> Proverbs 18:13 tells us, “<i>He who gives an
answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him</i>.” I’m afraid too many
of us are like that doctor and are quick to dole out solutions before we really
know what the problem is. So many problems and people in our world are more
complex than we realize at a cursory glance. If we are quick to judge and quick
to speak, we might also be quick to harm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> Before we make a fool out of ourselves, it
might be better to listen and think before we react. It may save more face than
our own. </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-48546240565088848062024-03-15T11:40:00.002-05:002024-03-15T11:40:00.136-05:00That Is Not Helping<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37-6KBFfMk4cGEMrVFsyndEY4FUb69vjS56_ZLiorwDZAj2YfIRVlK6vflXObNLSNY3xH8KCNCpViOBnfHP0VPGWmFeksPGWeACPEkSYxajrkahO7zjJD0ajnqYbqGJFfxxDbznBQoTKE3YNXg1b2jdjrPtPMO11Ua2DkCELFDgv7Z2q4_56ff6cDjvs/s421/Piper_Alpha_oil_rig_fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="421" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37-6KBFfMk4cGEMrVFsyndEY4FUb69vjS56_ZLiorwDZAj2YfIRVlK6vflXObNLSNY3xH8KCNCpViOBnfHP0VPGWmFeksPGWeACPEkSYxajrkahO7zjJD0ajnqYbqGJFfxxDbznBQoTKE3YNXg1b2jdjrPtPMO11Ua2DkCELFDgv7Z2q4_56ff6cDjvs/s320/Piper_Alpha_oil_rig_fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">In July of 1993 an offshore
oil rig northeast of Aberdeen, Scotland had a catastrophic failure. The entire
rig caught fire and eventually exploded. The cause was attributed to a safety
valve that had been removed and not replaced.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Why would anyone do that? It was part of a safety inspection
to see if the rig was a safe work environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Many times, our attempts to ‘fix’ things make
them worse. We may think that our judging of things will make them better. They
rarely do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Consider what the Scriptures teach in James
5:9, “<i>Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves
may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Our complaints often lead to discouragement disputes and blowups without ever doing anything to help the thing we are
complaining about. Instead trying to be the judge, a position we are not qualified
for, let’s be a helper or a fixer. Instead
of pulling things apart, let’s work to strength and build them up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Let’s not create problems
let's work to keep them at bay.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-84874303532549618012024-03-08T10:00:00.001-06:002024-03-08T10:00:00.246-06:00 I Think You Can<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Robert Rosenthal
came to teachers with a new test called the <i>Harvard Test of Inflected
Acquisition</i>. This test he informed the instructors could accurately predict
kids that would excel in the coming year. The test was administered and the
teachers were given the names of potentially high-achieving students. Rosenthal expressed to them that these kids were
special and that even if they might not done well in the past they showed
unusual potential for growth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAL-Sgb8CIcLiGDuQg8fXENRq3m76t2Qx4e3LeIsqaMBh2RuJUiKkYglVsi0d5RUrqlyuWzAkYjeXKnag7rAnoImgqXlYmcKrB-OdYcoi49bo5QdDzwbeh-WD1PCPoUL-ktxz9cKkr9kKtsUnXLQOQG_ibhV0tWDrXf57fStnFxNIr7sCt8pZpnQz9Rs/s4563/Teacher%20and%20student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="4563" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAL-Sgb8CIcLiGDuQg8fXENRq3m76t2Qx4e3LeIsqaMBh2RuJUiKkYglVsi0d5RUrqlyuWzAkYjeXKnag7rAnoImgqXlYmcKrB-OdYcoi49bo5QdDzwbeh-WD1PCPoUL-ktxz9cKkr9kKtsUnXLQOQG_ibhV0tWDrXf57fStnFxNIr7sCt8pZpnQz9Rs/s320/Teacher%20and%20student.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />The test proved itself
right. Those students it selected scored better and improved more. The 1st
graders gained 27 IQ points as for only 12 for the rest of the class. In 2nd
grade, the potentially high achievers gained 17 points versus only 7 by the
rest of the class. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The result might be
right but the test wasn’t. Rosenthal selected
the kids at random. Nothing was different
about them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> What really changed was
how they were viewed by their teachers. Instead of seeing them as average, they
viewed them as special. And that viewpoint changed how they treated them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The teachers treated these
kids kinder with more warmth, gave them more learning material, and called on
them more in class. When the students made a mistake, they gave them the
benefit of doubt and were quicker to presume they needed better feedback. This
change in how they were treated changed how they performed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> I think this is akin to what Paul tells us in 2nd
Corinthians 5:16-17: “<i>Therefore from
now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known
Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;
behold, new things have come</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Instead of looking at people in the worldly, fleshy
light, we should see them in the way Christ does as one with the potential for
growth. That will change how we treat others and that can change what they become! </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-8819107137258356952024-03-01T09:00:00.003-06:002024-03-01T09:00:00.139-06:00 Forgive and They Won’t Forget<p><span style="font-size: large;"> I forgive you.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0aJIc19BIqCadWab9-e1xUdJ9Cz8mOlE-xIrNPKvU1oIGois5QLpv1fK23lazqr6UKrHOGX3Ni1FP_2lSq2tYRMmldYxCd2Yn6f6SrRfx6S579zp7zVomvTEnMqIbrx4ZBskfTR-w48sAoTI5gEdQVf8MkoWF4RqWm1wWxPY8L7-G-rZBWPp8mJ-sA0/s3849/Dollarphotoclub_106786189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2566" data-original-width="3849" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0aJIc19BIqCadWab9-e1xUdJ9Cz8mOlE-xIrNPKvU1oIGois5QLpv1fK23lazqr6UKrHOGX3Ni1FP_2lSq2tYRMmldYxCd2Yn6f6SrRfx6S579zp7zVomvTEnMqIbrx4ZBskfTR-w48sAoTI5gEdQVf8MkoWF4RqWm1wWxPY8L7-G-rZBWPp8mJ-sA0/s320/Dollarphotoclub_106786189.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Three of the most powerful words in all of
language. Forgiveness is a treasure some
folks are desperately searching for. A treasure that in a lot of the world is
very hard to find.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> I think about what Hebrews says about Esau in chapter
12 and verse 17, “ <i>For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit
the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he
sought it with tears.” </i> For Esau no
matter how much he wanted to find repentance and to get back what he lost, he never
got the chance. For many forgiveness is unavailable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> That is why it is so
powerful when not only do we forgive but also show others how to find forgiveness.
Everyone has a past, but not everyone has a future, at least not a future with hope
and forgiveness. Yet they can find it, if we will help them. That is why the
Bible is so clear on our requirement to forgive. "<i>But if you do not
forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions</i>"
(Mark 11:26). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Forgiveness given is
forgiveness found.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> I don’t know who
needs to hear those words, but they can make a difference they never will
forget</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-24867126078235083232024-02-22T10:00:00.001-06:002024-02-22T10:00:00.146-06:00 First A String<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In November of 1847, a civil engineer named
Charles Ellet Jr. was commissioned to build a bridge across the Niagara Gorge.
As you can imagine the greatest challenge was the start. How could you get the
first cable across an 825-foot chasm with 225-foot cliffs on either side?</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTEPMUMLcsnjy40nZnSg56yY11JxzOIyrkeV1hlq0dd6dTDY1TzpijPduYw46MoU0xFj8d3d4kH379US6aWk0BqXa-gLJQEEpusTIRMNyp04LqQX6kY2Eqt_c00bCMTUv1qBsBkju09Mjnv5zntRdPC00Q5oOF6nV0_ahjn01IyCz55T1H4nE2iPchO8/s576/puente-rio-niagara-con-una-cometa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="576" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTEPMUMLcsnjy40nZnSg56yY11JxzOIyrkeV1hlq0dd6dTDY1TzpijPduYw46MoU0xFj8d3d4kH379US6aWk0BqXa-gLJQEEpusTIRMNyp04LqQX6kY2Eqt_c00bCMTUv1qBsBkju09Mjnv5zntRdPC00Q5oOF6nV0_ahjn01IyCz55T1H4nE2iPchO8/s320/puente-rio-niagara-con-una-cometa.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> The solution came from a local ironworker named
Theodore Graves Hulett, who suggested a kite-flying contest. A fifteen-year-old
boy named Homan Walsh won the ten-dollar cash prize for flying the first kite
across the chasm.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The day
after that successful flight, a stronger line was attached to that kite string
and pulled across. Then an even stronger line. Then a rope. Then a cable
consisting of thirty-six strands of ten-gauge wire. The bridge would eventually
become the world’s first railway suspension bridge. It would connect two
countries, and it was strong enough to support a 170-ton locomotive. And it all
started with a single kite string!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"<i>For who has despised the day
of small things</i>?” <b>Zechariah 4:10</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Some
tasks seem at the start to be insurmountable. We can’t see how something so
large can be overcome. But never underestimate the value of small things. A small action can lead to more. Too many
times we do nothing, thinking a small act is meaningless. Yet action begets
action, one step takes you to the next, and success leads to more of the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Is there something you are struggling to
overcome? Some task that seems too big to overcome? A relationship broken by
too big a gulf? A habit that overwhelms you? Start with a small attempt. Even the
smallest action can lead to something bigger. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It may not be much more than a
string but it could build a bridge.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-79511876776490513442024-02-15T10:30:00.001-06:002024-02-15T10:30:00.135-06:00What Are We Constant In?<p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> For
many of life's endeavors, success is about consistency. Can you do something
not just once but over and over again for a prolonged period of time?
Everything, all the time without fail.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about success in pleasing the Lord? What
would God’s will be that we do always without quitting in all circumstances?</span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well luckily for us we have that answer. In
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18, we read: “</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.”</span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These
might not be the things we would have come up with if left to our own thoughts.
Yet here in black and white, the Bible says we are to always be rejoicing,
never quitting on prayer, and to be thankful in all things.</span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are
these things our constants? Or are we more consistent in negativity,
complaining, and fault-finding? Do we have a steady joyous, thankfully
appreciative to God attitude or a steady one of glumness, disappointment, and
demanding?</span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What
we are is what we are not in the momentary but in consistency.</span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are we
really day in and day out what God wants for us?</span></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-77632998776840602342024-02-08T10:00:00.003-06:002024-02-08T10:00:00.137-06:00 Repentance Should Not Be Delayed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8LFWN5n3RbcPhmd8bgPmhKoApRcrnZGZ4EcSIGHRLIKmPiR2JgBVcfQsaboqbNNKReyUZTNPSxxmBaHXXtIRfLisdPbv32FEVPAAMoYWHElrXl5GS0XjZ009sOC4vVFS5heDBULzeGLLWjUO4Qg3pnmq6tho3EPHs_3mrcvCMiQkdrXfrPyU8Yi9Lhk/s400/Repent.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="400" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8LFWN5n3RbcPhmd8bgPmhKoApRcrnZGZ4EcSIGHRLIKmPiR2JgBVcfQsaboqbNNKReyUZTNPSxxmBaHXXtIRfLisdPbv32FEVPAAMoYWHElrXl5GS0XjZ009sOC4vVFS5heDBULzeGLLWjUO4Qg3pnmq6tho3EPHs_3mrcvCMiQkdrXfrPyU8Yi9Lhk/s320/Repent.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: large;">As Francois de La
Rochefoucauld once remarked, “<i>When our vices quit us we flatter ourselves with
the belief that it is we who quit them</i>.” Many times, our repentance is really
nothing more than us trying to escape the consequences of our sin. We are sorry
only because we are caught or maybe it caught up with us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> That however isn’t the kind of repentance God wants from us.
Consider what is said about the woman Jezebell( probably not her real name but
an apt description) in the message to the church at Thyatira found in Revelation
2. Here is a woman who is involved in wickedness and leading others to it. It
is said of her “<i>I gave her time to repent, and <b>she does not want to
repent</b> of her immorality.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> God is willing to
forgive. He wants us to turn back to him. He will give us chances to do just
that. But there comes a point when our sin isn’t ignorance, immaturity or
weakness, it is just simple rebelliousness. That kind of sin will be punished
by God and we will face the repercussions!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Don’t let sin ruin
you before you quit it, Get out of it while the getting is good!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-80029933125033671852024-02-02T11:41:00.001-06:002024-02-02T11:41:00.142-06:00BULLying<p> </p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-TXatCFG_fLnSER-pSozPnS3LpGL5X4CeoJbwwFvdPidpmOVTi6fzJz21AIDuch6EJ1bEHpV4s38zYf8b_auzd7ZXGAtC58NdYSoBf5gTZ0zqB3ZGlXWWN6F-wq8vBv1uR5sRtXc-O1sCQCeu9iVTSLzDYM_PtMO99h23NHENlGwDIsbAOKugTVgK-U/s400/prosperous-farm-176934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-TXatCFG_fLnSER-pSozPnS3LpGL5X4CeoJbwwFvdPidpmOVTi6fzJz21AIDuch6EJ1bEHpV4s38zYf8b_auzd7ZXGAtC58NdYSoBf5gTZ0zqB3ZGlXWWN6F-wq8vBv1uR5sRtXc-O1sCQCeu9iVTSLzDYM_PtMO99h23NHENlGwDIsbAOKugTVgK-U/s320/prosperous-farm-176934.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">A DEA Agent stopped by
the farm of an old rancher. He told the man, “I need to inspect your ranch for
illegally grown drugs.” The rancher said, “Okay, but don’t go into that field
over there…”, as he pointed out the location. The DEA Agent verbally exploded
and said, “Look mister, I have the authority of the federal government with
me!” Reaching into his rear back pocket, the arrogant officer removed his badge
and proudly displayed it to the rancher. “See this badge?! This badge means I
can go wherever I want on any land! No questions asked!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The rancher kindly
nodded, apologized, and went about his chores. Moments later the rancher heard screams,
he looked up and saw the DEA agent running for his life, being chased by the
rancher’s big bull. With every step, the
bull was gaining ground on the officer. The old rancher seeing his predicament moved
over to the fence, and yelled at the top of his lungs, ““YOUR BADGE! SHOW HIM
YOUR BADGE!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> At times it can be
tempting to bully our way through folks. We can use the power of our prestige or
the weight of our words to back people into doing what we want. It may be our ‘right’
and we may even have the authority to do so, but that does not make it right or
even good for us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> When we speak to
people we need to remember to ‘<i>season
our words</i>’ (Colossians 4:6) God doesn’t call us to boss around people but
to serve them (Luke 22:25-26). You may get a person to do what you want but you
will not win him over by bowing up and bowling over him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If we want respect,
we must first start by showing respect to others.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-27546175925278673022024-01-25T13:39:00.001-06:002024-01-25T13:39:00.138-06:00 Proverbs For A New Year: Silence is Smart<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxQIpIkI7fG7THt0M83gZkO0Ba7fqaxdI9fuo2oh8p6MkFQ4jGxg24JEekdDIIzoGaPQPSBKCtAuLNkd37qBjyg2dM0Byq4YjgdxRgYzS-Es6zK4GAJZjN43oilTwIh8uMUmlmhsbOOQ3bZ69jV84fXglLzbj0aQSNsnunbC9LnMyUxT_3nIBVHRNW4w/s4256/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxQIpIkI7fG7THt0M83gZkO0Ba7fqaxdI9fuo2oh8p6MkFQ4jGxg24JEekdDIIzoGaPQPSBKCtAuLNkd37qBjyg2dM0Byq4YjgdxRgYzS-Es6zK4GAJZjN43oilTwIh8uMUmlmhsbOOQ3bZ69jV84fXglLzbj0aQSNsnunbC9LnMyUxT_3nIBVHRNW4w/s320/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even a fool, when he keeps silent,
is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Proverbs 17:28 </span></b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> You need to say
something. That’s what we think. A
person makes a jab. An accusation is hurled at us. We are questioned. It’s
human nature to want to defend ourselves, yet that can be at times the worst
thing we can do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Years ago, I had a
mentor tell me “Never get in a mudsling contest with a pig, they love it and
you just end up getting dirty.” We don’t
have to respond to everything. Sometimes the best thing we can say is nothing
at all. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Lots of the talk we
get into is not near as productive as we think. Silence may we more effective than
we can imagine. Think about how Jesus used it (John 8:6, Mark 14:61). Maybe we
should learn to use it as well.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-45218061737570914252024-01-18T11:18:00.000-06:002024-01-18T11:18:00.139-06:00Proverbs For A New Year: Get Some Advice<p> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without consultation, plans are
frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Proverbs 15:22 </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYGyROAItPWLKGO1Volir0fwYgvI21yDvADZZ0mGwTWK_TW0anWJkHEhJAzpPmNNqVCjuEL2BQxQca-SzywRCiEfZfrXwiGPhyphenhyphen-IlZJLS1Um92o1JKw0Aajrrf-x2dPiA50Fb4AtRPmt-jAOwil44C6UlA2oPdq6v3qmqyAZ7zZCaBdrBsgwrgEPoaIs/s4256/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYGyROAItPWLKGO1Volir0fwYgvI21yDvADZZ0mGwTWK_TW0anWJkHEhJAzpPmNNqVCjuEL2BQxQca-SzywRCiEfZfrXwiGPhyphenhyphen-IlZJLS1Um92o1JKw0Aajrrf-x2dPiA50Fb4AtRPmt-jAOwil44C6UlA2oPdq6v3qmqyAZ7zZCaBdrBsgwrgEPoaIs/s320/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If you don’t listen to
others, you may be hurting yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> We tend to think of
our own opinions highly, after all, they are ours. Yet that tendency might be causing
more frustration than we realize. Others can see things we can’t. They can see
the gaps and holes in our reasoning. They may have perspective we don’t. That
is why is important to not just rely on ourselves when it comes to planning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> When the world tells
us to “don’t let anyone tell you what to do” it might be setting us up for
failure. Just because you are in charge doesn’t mean that you can see it all.
That is why it is a good idea to get as much input as you can when you are
making a plan. You might not use it all but it might be the thing that saves it
all </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-70933100753517847932024-01-11T10:53:00.004-06:002024-01-11T10:53:00.140-06:00 Proverbs for The New Year: Is This A Good Time<p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He who blesses his friend with a
loud voice early in the morning, It will be reckoned a curse to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 27:14<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL13MCU5fsfbFHuqMKXWrSR85ekY7OTIOXQg31IuQwmCXcLnJBJhD5_vwXlfjidcvrtpd2lcOWlYIk95FujF-3p8BIyHF_BjFhqsG3gyFe2FgIvETqWzoamavUUp4wBGctO0_RjUmSjmFaRKMy3HXjDqUbUUGJnqfJhid8GjYoeBLVsX3ghLnpL30mdU/s4256/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL13MCU5fsfbFHuqMKXWrSR85ekY7OTIOXQg31IuQwmCXcLnJBJhD5_vwXlfjidcvrtpd2lcOWlYIk95FujF-3p8BIyHF_BjFhqsG3gyFe2FgIvETqWzoamavUUp4wBGctO0_RjUmSjmFaRKMy3HXjDqUbUUGJnqfJhid8GjYoeBLVsX3ghLnpL30mdU/s320/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> It isn’t always what
you do, it is when you do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> This proverb rather humorously demonstrates
that point. It doesn’t matter what you are saying to a person, if you do wake
him up early in the morning, he not going to appreciate it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> This is good advice
in dealing with people. Some things might need to be said but we also need to consider
the circumstance of when we are saying them. They will affect greatly the way the message
is received. For example, an important announcement made when everyone has a foot
out the door will most likely be missed by people. Or a minor critique made to
a person during a major crisis will be seen as much more insulting than it was.
Timing is everything!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If we want a message to be received well, we must
consider <i>when</i> we say it!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-40234144372853954672024-01-04T09:57:00.003-06:002024-01-04T09:57:00.138-06:00 Proverbs for The New Year: Talk Isn't Cheap<p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In all labor there is profit, But
mere talk leads only to poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proverbs 14:23<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxMmhUwru205S2d09ukeN2F9Wd1g3tyxLiSEiEWQGoz0nQI2mCFUnehcedVykBPw5ifU68oem-S5INJff-oBYn1x68jfy4dOtdl-DWeEGp_nr5H8XDpj5og6B9yfAeqGJSwsulxaRdLKDijnx14tWM2jUPhzcaGGtQEpkXeKlJVRK7VvB2P5IxyIPUwQ/s4256/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxMmhUwru205S2d09ukeN2F9Wd1g3tyxLiSEiEWQGoz0nQI2mCFUnehcedVykBPw5ifU68oem-S5INJff-oBYn1x68jfy4dOtdl-DWeEGp_nr5H8XDpj5og6B9yfAeqGJSwsulxaRdLKDijnx14tWM2jUPhzcaGGtQEpkXeKlJVRK7VvB2P5IxyIPUwQ/s320/Dollarphotoclub_61764879.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span></b><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">James Alber wrote his
own epitaph: </span><i style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">He slept beneath the moon, He basked beneath the sun; He lived
a life of going-to-do, And died with nothing done.</i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> “Going to do” is a very real problem. If something is “going to be” done chances are
it never will be. Too many lives are stymied by “going to do”. Too many churches
are stagnant because of “going to do”. Too many people will be lost eternally because
of “going to do”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">This proverb tells us a very truth. Talk isn’t
cheap, it leads to poverty. Doing nothing is the quickest way to failure. If
you want success, you must </span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><i>do</i></b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> something. Labor, work, effort, and
action make things better. Just talking about it does nothing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">What do you want to do in the New Year? Better
asked, what are you doing to make that happen?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-72557324936396351722023-12-28T09:44:00.004-06:002023-12-28T09:44:00.152-06:00 A New Way Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYqtz4fgUSfaYlxS7rHqpgDLfIrwp16FlvUVKyqqzoZjT6JeFFpvjHODlPuLYVCfcgSxrbmpdolcslhTP46sc_aYRy3N2hkQMHbNlSNCAD-xp9r6udcAo95X-LN8m6RB1XiXvtvK0jD1hYq8VHHFii08KTEp3ejAut_wqV3oHwzAujOn-A9brAKlKzSI/s2880/london-underground-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2880" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYqtz4fgUSfaYlxS7rHqpgDLfIrwp16FlvUVKyqqzoZjT6JeFFpvjHODlPuLYVCfcgSxrbmpdolcslhTP46sc_aYRy3N2hkQMHbNlSNCAD-xp9r6udcAo95X-LN8m6RB1XiXvtvK0jD1hYq8VHHFii08KTEp3ejAut_wqV3oHwzAujOn-A9brAKlKzSI/s320/london-underground-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: large;"> In 2014, some of the
workers on London's Underground system went on strike for two days. The strike
closed 171 of the system's 270 stations, leaving commuters scrambling to find
alternative routes using buses, aboveground trains, or the stations that remained
open. Researcher were able to track the commuters thru their fare card. They
found that most folks went back to their normal routes when the strike was
over.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> But what was
surprising is that when the strike was over, not everybody returned to their
habitual commuting route. One in twenty of the commuters who had switched then
stayed with the route that they had used during the strike; presumably, they
had discovered that it was faster or cheaper or preferable in some other way to
their old routine. The disruption had helped them find something better, a way
that was there all along but they were too used to the old one<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> In life, we all fall
into patterns of behavior. Some of those can be good things, but sometimes we
just get stuck in our ways. As the new year approaches, might I suggest that we
try to check to see if what we are doing is the best way for it to be done?
Some habits are just ruts we gotten stuck in. There may be new and better opportunities
if we take the time to watch our steps more closely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> What we have always done isn't always the best way for
it to be done.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">“Therefore
be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ephesians
5:15<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-16738466818332974222023-12-22T10:46:00.002-06:002023-12-22T10:46:00.140-06:00 I Woke You Up<p><span style="font-size: large;"> For 364 days of the
year growing up, I was not the easiest child to get out of bed. If the
circumstances required me to be out of bed at a particular time it usually involved
cajoling, threats, and occasionally a glass of cold water.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Yet on one day of the
year, I was ‘up and at em’ way too early. In fact, it became a requirement for
me to yell out from my room “<i>Can I get up yet</i>”? Can you guess what day that was?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcqmp4P7APtLS_TtKjqhZSSHjyCO2-uFoo9Ejk6CsVC7a7DY3c_JRi_fO4EJ_i7khUekRVaepjuA4UGACtHPeBEb5wB8y8mtdaAGpYRr1q7_AT2Ut6PfaHBwT7eT0zuwHN_tG1EqrBcpp3IzhujxrOpVSPcu8XjoZRnBO78tAAggCACRkFO-HA5MCO5g/s1920/holidaylights2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmcqmp4P7APtLS_TtKjqhZSSHjyCO2-uFoo9Ejk6CsVC7a7DY3c_JRi_fO4EJ_i7khUekRVaepjuA4UGACtHPeBEb5wB8y8mtdaAGpYRr1q7_AT2Ut6PfaHBwT7eT0zuwHN_tG1EqrBcpp3IzhujxrOpVSPcu8XjoZRnBO78tAAggCACRkFO-HA5MCO5g/s320/holidaylights2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If you have not
figured it out, it was a day that started with presents under the Christmas
tree. You see on that day, there was something worth being awake early. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> There is a common phrase
in scripture (Ephesians 5:14, Romans 13:11-12, 1<sup>st</sup> Thessalonians
5:6-7) that links being asleep to folks in a dangerous spiritual condition.
When it comes to the things of the Lord, we are just kind of out of it. We like
a kid in the morning, barely awake wanting to stay in bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Maybe
we would be more awake, if like a kid at Christmas, we focused on what was
awaiting us. The blessing of God that comes to those who are eagerly anticipating
them. Instead of being a church asleep at the wheel. We were bouncing in our
beds ready to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If we are asleep spiritually it may be because
we are not thinking there is something to be awake for. But the presence of God is something we should
be excited for!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-8847461553720397392023-12-15T13:54:00.001-06:002023-12-15T13:54:00.147-06:00 Oh Hear Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1W5_2qqs9rvQEQE0n1nRW7RHebq4U7PzQhejFdd59IlGbd7MzNlZ9yhJ5FRXW_bhJHbqPwN7tfZCZr0X2M5EVLekAGnviKqcDxgK8Sl5AiKbnprgiJsqYfMyeRlEudCYfetftw13LuB1XY0dI-swxE3s3jCp74I6XQbP67rBL8RbldKRJSV2AbkNCcw/s6570/listen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3990" data-original-width="6570" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1W5_2qqs9rvQEQE0n1nRW7RHebq4U7PzQhejFdd59IlGbd7MzNlZ9yhJ5FRXW_bhJHbqPwN7tfZCZr0X2M5EVLekAGnviKqcDxgK8Sl5AiKbnprgiJsqYfMyeRlEudCYfetftw13LuB1XY0dI-swxE3s3jCp74I6XQbP67rBL8RbldKRJSV2AbkNCcw/s320/listen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: large;"> I wonder at times if I developed reverse
speaking in tongues. Instead of the ability
to speak and the person hear me in their native language, it seems when I speak
to a person it is as if I am just speaking gibberish.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Ok, I know it is not
really that. It is not my language that is off but people just are not paying
attention. If a person is unwilling to listen it does not matter if I am
speaking English or Cantonese they will not understand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> When God wanted to separate
people, he confused their language (Genesis 11). When he had a message for the
entire world, he made it so everyone heard it in their own language (Acts 2). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="Normal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"And how is it that we
each hear them in our own language to which we were born? …</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—we hear
them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God."<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="right" class="Normal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Acts 2:8-11 </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Are we listening to those who are telling us
God’s message today? I often hear people criticize preachers that they are not
preaching the lessons they should. That may be the case sometimes but I know
that often it is not the lack of content but the lack of listening. I have been
told you need to preach on such and such and I’ve just recently done a lesson on
that very topic. It is not that it has
been said but rather we are not hearing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> An open heart is as
important to hearing as open ears. The problem isn’t we are speaking two different
languages it is we are not listening to the one we are hearing!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-18451288137657583932023-12-08T13:53:00.001-06:002023-12-08T13:53:00.133-06:00 That’s Who I Am<p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> People define themselves
in a lot of curious ways. The car they drive, the team they pull for, the brand
names they wear, the activities they participate in. We even define ourselves by
others. I am a fan of this band and follow this person.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is not a new phenomenon.
In the first century, there were those in Corinth who were defining themselves by
popular teachers. I am of Paul, I am of Apollos. Like so many today that name their
churches after a person or a practice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Yet it is clear in the
scriptures that isn’t who or what should define us. As we read in 1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians 3:4-5,
“<i>For when one says, "I am of
Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men?
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed,
even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one”.</i> Our identity should not rest in men but in
Christ. Who I am should be focused on
the Great I AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> There are great
teachers I can learn from. There are things that I can enjoy. There are some
practices that can help me in my life. But those things should not at the heart
of how I define myself. To know who I am I must learn about Him.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-17842241769657634292023-12-01T13:49:00.010-06:002023-12-01T13:49:00.148-06:00 Making A List<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">It’s the time of
year for lists. Your wish list, your shopping list, the list of places you will
be traveling to. The guest list, the gift list, the list of things yet to do.
The list of New Year’s resolutions, a list of things to get done before the
year ends and all that while you are trying to stay off the naughty list. </span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> In all those lists let
us not forget the most important list we want to be on:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is
the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written
in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were
in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were
judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were
thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And
if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into
the lake of fire. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Revelation
20:12-15 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Your name might be on the Dean's List, or the
list of Whose Who. You can be on the list of sexiest people alive, or an A-List
celebrity. You might be on the richest list or the most popular list or even
the most wanted list, yet none of these will be as important as having your
name found in the Book of Life. All the deeds we accomplish here having our
name in the Lamb’s book of life will matter most.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Don’t get so caught
up in all the other things going on that you forget to do the things that will
matter for all eternity.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-40929153629641943772023-11-24T08:00:00.004-06:002023-11-24T08:00:00.143-06:00You Will Never Walk Alone<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> The prophet Elijah is
at the low point. His victory at Mt Carmel turned into his being on the run for
his life. He is despondent depressed and ready to give up. When God asks him what
he is doing his response is telling. “I tried,” He exclaims, “but no one is listening
they all are after me, I Am Alone.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> There is nothing
worse than being alone and sad. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzg5qph2zDSKLrrlfq78_ur5d-aC_Uvk-BeAuytMRE0mdsmRacQ9c94zK-hfcpnbRy2gYfry0Fbr5YsCK0aZOQMXjLQl1n607LFX3-ttd4CXbBf76RjY1HeIOZ1edJ--J_R83WEiQitQ_JqG6Szxy3DIFXBvPb0U-sbgypWRMqVEt0jXQFK9-AT65hcI/s1000/alone%20in%20crowd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzg5qph2zDSKLrrlfq78_ur5d-aC_Uvk-BeAuytMRE0mdsmRacQ9c94zK-hfcpnbRy2gYfry0Fbr5YsCK0aZOQMXjLQl1n607LFX3-ttd4CXbBf76RjY1HeIOZ1edJ--J_R83WEiQitQ_JqG6Szxy3DIFXBvPb0U-sbgypWRMqVEt0jXQFK9-AT65hcI/s320/alone%20in%20crowd.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Yet Elijah wasn’t. God
would proclaim to him, "<i>Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees
that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him</i>."
He points him to Elisha, the man that would walk beside him for the rest of his
journey. He tells him how he has other in place that will right the wrongs that
have been done. As dire as his situation seems, God assures him he is not
alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> If a great man like
Elijah can struggle when he feels alone and abandoned, do we not think it can
happen to us and those around us as well? There will be sad times in our lives
but that does not mean we have to face them alone. And we don’t have to let
others face them alone as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> God is
never far away and his people should not be as well. There are those that are
struggling right now, let’s make sure they don’t have to do it alone.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-18847879287813204462023-11-17T09:00:00.001-06:002023-11-17T09:00:00.131-06:00 My Friend Come Back To Me<p> <span style="font-size: large;"> There are things
that Jesus does that amaze me. Not the miracles, though they are amazing, not his
teaching, though it is wonderful. It is the way Jesus can treat people even
when they are their worst.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> After a night in the
garden praying like no man has ever prayed before, knowing what is about to happen
and what is about to happen to him, he looks up and sees one of his own leading
a mob to arrest him. Judas keeps up the innocent facade by kissing him, even though
it is clear to Jesus and all those around what has just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> And then Jesus says
this, "<i>Friend, do what you have come for</i>."(Matthew 26:50)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> I can think of a lot
of things I’d want to call Judas at that moment but friend isn’t one of them.
Jesus knows what Judas has done, knows why he has done it, and even why it had
to happen like this yet he still does not want to lose Judas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Judas would not be
the only friend of Jesus to turn on him that night. He would not be the only person to harm him,
yet in all the betrayal and mockery and pain that would be lobbed at Jesus
during this next day, his attitude would be the same, forgiveness, mercy, and
love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> We sing the song <i>What
A Friend We Have In Jesus, </i>but I wonder if we truly understand the kind of
friend he is. Even when we are his enemy, he is our friend.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX3q2YMpOluA-UZAlr9BIicxbgNoIljaQEYgoiSyZsx4nh4WxPavB-V3JiohBxuts_h3ASnLNJR7G6ofNYkwqthxgP08kPSsg7spnKnHGhUwgt-79VtqWJfS5XYeRMTb2bpeSHwosiA9irUmp_EXnswgSx_fvVLy9b-aTasVTQ55vzmxc1pCNZx2KxNo/s849/Hand%20Jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="849" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFX3q2YMpOluA-UZAlr9BIicxbgNoIljaQEYgoiSyZsx4nh4WxPavB-V3JiohBxuts_h3ASnLNJR7G6ofNYkwqthxgP08kPSsg7spnKnHGhUwgt-79VtqWJfS5XYeRMTb2bpeSHwosiA9irUmp_EXnswgSx_fvVLy9b-aTasVTQ55vzmxc1pCNZx2KxNo/s320/Hand%20Jesus.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-22460980569624700042023-11-10T08:00:00.001-06:002023-11-10T08:00:00.138-06:00 Everybody Knows<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6zZ_MS8_d93uS0vM5z4hX0NVuIflZf-jHDm0DXDp-wBi_0dz15nLU0DC5dqMoPygfumx1KAmwj8xGF_jg00T3IA-SQgm9xaWjZS4nbY3EdDc3mbUPG5PRurK7yYljZfTRpy4oF-L0MvTNEAXFIpXzWFhxcoLBulaefkHJyWNMS2Th1BmXdN5FPWJcQ4/s4820/mouth%20hush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="4820" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6zZ_MS8_d93uS0vM5z4hX0NVuIflZf-jHDm0DXDp-wBi_0dz15nLU0DC5dqMoPygfumx1KAmwj8xGF_jg00T3IA-SQgm9xaWjZS4nbY3EdDc3mbUPG5PRurK7yYljZfTRpy4oF-L0MvTNEAXFIpXzWFhxcoLBulaefkHJyWNMS2Th1BmXdN5FPWJcQ4/s320/mouth%20hush.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I am always amused
by the oxymoronic phrase ‘known secret’. You will hear it about an actor’s bad
behavior or a politician’s indiscrimination. It is as if the truth is out there
but the collective all agrees to keep it under wraps. Maybe people are scared to
tell or think it does no good, but it seems eventually the story breaks and the
‘known secret’ becomes truly known.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It is not just in the papers it happens, we do
it in our lives as well. There are things we do but we just pretend we don’t.
We figure it is just better to ignore than to deal. A problem buried is a problem
solved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> However, the Bible tells us something
different: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“<i>For God will bring every act to judgment,
everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil</i>.” <b>Ecclesiastes
12:14</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"<i>But there is nothing covered up that will not
be revealed, and hidden that will not be known</i>. <b>Luke 12:2</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Normal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“<i>on the day when, according to my gospel, God will
judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus</i>.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Romans 2:16</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Do not think your secret
will save you. Judgment will bring every act every motive every thought to
light(1<sup>st</sup> Corinthians 4:5) We may have a lot of people in the dark
but we will never have God. Denial will not be a defense. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Don’t think you will surprise
God when you confess your sin, he already knows it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-36583120383301454232023-11-03T10:00:00.001-05:002023-11-03T10:00:00.148-05:00 Don’t Look Back In Anger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ3dv5FJGpsiGWAubkbcta_RFIcs8K6BAhW_DC5orpoby-tJjqR5D8YpYsAxJoH17LchlmEgpPsxUvFz0tU2NxxEZpHsUGfMnHjzHR3VrSFXxtlZqu1Oi1CCRK41Ma3FkItht6-ICn2oEy_iuV3kO_uP79M6sPDcUsIKeCw4P23Vw3zziLksA5qJiVR8/s1920/angry%20hand%20grudge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZ3dv5FJGpsiGWAubkbcta_RFIcs8K6BAhW_DC5orpoby-tJjqR5D8YpYsAxJoH17LchlmEgpPsxUvFz0tU2NxxEZpHsUGfMnHjzHR3VrSFXxtlZqu1Oi1CCRK41Ma3FkItht6-ICn2oEy_iuV3kO_uP79M6sPDcUsIKeCw4P23Vw3zziLksA5qJiVR8/s320/angry%20hand%20grudge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes I have a problem
letting things go. I am not talking about throwing away an old blender or the
kids' art project from 1</span><sup>st</sup><span style="font-size: x-large;"> grade but letting go of the feeling when
someone did you wrong. Maybe I am not alone in that.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Let’s consider what we read in Hebrews 12:15; “<i>See to it that no one comes short of the
grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it
many be defiled;”. </i>Here is a warning to us about a dangerous under-the-surface
growth that can bring trouble and ruin, bitterness. Bitterness is the lingering resentment that
comes when are angered or disappointed. At first, it seems natural but the
longer it stays the more it overtakes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> However, notice why this happens, it is when
we come short of the grace of God. Grace is the forgiveness we get that we do
not deserve. When we do not fully grasp that we have been forgiven, it keeps us
from forgiving. We cannot let go of what another did to us because we never grasped
how much we have done to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Arrogance and self-righteousness often go hand
in hand with grudges and unforgiveness. If we think we have never been wrong,
we cannot see the need to forgive those who do wrong to us. If we clearly see
ourselves as one in need of grace, we are more likely to give it to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The root of
bitterness is killed by the embracement of grace. </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-17381497236334771492023-10-27T15:08:00.001-05:002023-10-27T15:08:00.149-05:00 Dropping The Stone<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnAzqgCPPfgCsgzogbB6E9CAH3Nx__sm6nYVz-zZPYE-06vl1C42n2JT6qnK1U5YNHjFNl47JvcxsORG3cs0hZ-rnohHOiFA3TIv0MPHdDkpdGoHXgVgqqZd8w2QVB_9GJ3IS5-buK9qHkNqOCUH03c0vFxwfEMopsNTgI4e0bdgI2VbNLHARtd4hP6I/s1499/White+Stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnAzqgCPPfgCsgzogbB6E9CAH3Nx__sm6nYVz-zZPYE-06vl1C42n2JT6qnK1U5YNHjFNl47JvcxsORG3cs0hZ-rnohHOiFA3TIv0MPHdDkpdGoHXgVgqqZd8w2QVB_9GJ3IS5-buK9qHkNqOCUH03c0vFxwfEMopsNTgI4e0bdgI2VbNLHARtd4hP6I/s320/White+Stone.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> John chapter eight might
just start with one of the strangest recorded events in the life of Jesus. That
is saying a lot in a book that contains numerous miracles and wonders. It is
strange because of all the things it leaves out. It tells us about Jesus’ writing
but doesn’t tell us what he wrote. He is asked a question and he doesn’t give
an answer. Angry men are in a mob ready to kill yet end up slinking away one by
one with no definite reason as to why.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The story is about a
woman caught in the very act of adultery and then caught up in the political
games of the Pharisees. They want to test Jesus to find something they could
use against him. She is a pawn in that
test.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> So, Jesus says
nothing. He just stoops down and writes on the ground. They push for an answer.
He eventually responds, “<i>He who is without sin among you, let him be the
first to throw a stone at her</i>” The perfect person gets to go first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> But no one does. One by one they leave. It
starts with the oldest first and soon no one is there but Jesus and the women.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> It is then that Jesus
rises back up as if he had not noticed a thing. Where did they all go? Who
going to condemn you? None of them are left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Then Jesus does
something spectacularly unbelievable. He doesn’t either. In all the things left
out, he leaves out the punishment. The
only person that fits Jesus’ criteria to throw the first stone, doesn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Rather he challenges
her to something better; “<i>Go. From now on sin no more</i>” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Sin is evil, it must
be condemned right? How will people change if they are not punished? If we don’t
condemn sin we are accepting it, aren’t we? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Jesus didn’t. Sin no
more but I don’t condemn you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Strange isn’t it?</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-68619030189102449662023-10-20T13:20:00.004-05:002023-10-20T13:20:00.157-05:00 Change In Name Only<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XzvCPMNGQsdFbMwVub5Ywp_h5WfOE6AVQL7Y7WxjQyubqcPYq9xzsatc4U7Gokrdh-C-o7IaIPi1_Xj9nWHmU3FyM8fd2IFg1nqkf4B0aCWiFRZcjXqpi8-HA1NR4Y3Q9HwnbPmjxqieu3l8xnOkWD6dFfd0bL4lDfGyTv_KqM7R0WIe7WEv2qc_Ntw/s2400/200802-Hitt-Disney-miserable-pandemic-tease_adpdcj.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2400" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XzvCPMNGQsdFbMwVub5Ywp_h5WfOE6AVQL7Y7WxjQyubqcPYq9xzsatc4U7Gokrdh-C-o7IaIPi1_Xj9nWHmU3FyM8fd2IFg1nqkf4B0aCWiFRZcjXqpi8-HA1NR4Y3Q9HwnbPmjxqieu3l8xnOkWD6dFfd0bL4lDfGyTv_KqM7R0WIe7WEv2qc_Ntw/s320/200802-Hitt-Disney-miserable-pandemic-tease_adpdcj.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <span style="font-size: large;">I recently read about an interview with a former
Disney star about a peculiar practice of their shows. If you were a fan of
the Disney channel back in the day you might notice how every so often the show
would slightly change its name. For example, <i>Hannah Montana</i> became <i>Hannah
Montane Forever</i>, <i>The Suite Life of Zac and Cody</i> became <i>The Suite
Life on Deck, Liv and Maddie </i>became <i>Liv and Maddie: Cali Style. </i> Same
show just a new name. Why? Money.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> The company had a
deal that they would not have to pay full scale to the actors or crew for the
first three seasons. When the time came to up the pay, they just changed the
name so technically it was a new show and they could reset back to the lower
pay.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> New name but the
same old thing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> But it isn’t just
big business that does this. We do it as well. We take old sin call it
something acceptable. We do away with old denomination names but keep the same
old man-made traditions. We call ourselves Christians but we live and act just like
we did before we took the name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> In Colossians 3, Paul
writes to Christians that their new life must be a NEW life. Old practices must
die(vs3-9) new traits must be put on (10-14). It is not about the easy path, it is a call to a higher standard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Don’t just take the cheap
and easy surface change. Work to become something successful. Don’t just change the name, change to
something better.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-45944439584283581342023-10-13T11:23:00.003-05:002023-10-13T11:23:00.150-05:00 Not Eating Well<p><span style="font-size: large;"> Here is an old
saying worth considering: “Never trust a skinny cook”.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> A friend of mine
once said this at camp. That year our camp cook was a man of let’s say ample portions.
That year we ate good. His remark was about how in a previous experience, the
camp cook was a waify thing that didn’t seem to think you need much to get by.
That year he didn’t eat so good. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> Now consider a
passage of scripture: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">In
pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ
Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine
which you have been following.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1<sup>st</sup>
Timothy 4:6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> In this passage,
Paul is describing the traits of the man tasked with instructing the brethren.
In order to do that however he must first be a man who is well fed himself. Fed
on words of faith and sound doctrine. A man that is starved himself won’t be
very good at feeding others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> That is why it is important
that we take care to make sure those who lead and teach in the church. Often we
never give our teachers and leaders the resources and time to keep themselves
fed. We expect them to ‘serve it up’ for us but never make sure they are fed as
well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> When we notice the ‘pickens
are slim’ in our instruction, it might be that we are not taking care of our cooks.
A well-fed body starts by making sure our servants have what they need to cook
well.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0qQkSLDCtYt15nRCJAcEF5NBz1EgHUKY6eo-LCn6WbtA6VUnE4DA7_ukcvw56LqDtgrEBsOiQHN7vC40tkPYJvAdquyQY8_7XNESPMWGO-UcfzwxVz_YRZ2l3pRXdrhbVucaXZ2BjHFg-TSgpv6eiZP5efZVQLTWr__OHlbBDMDrP5B86cWHfP7EKDg/s820/buffet-dinner-party-clip-art-png-favpng-gsvfNFT1w9ZSdePcUC0aFQFPK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="820" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0qQkSLDCtYt15nRCJAcEF5NBz1EgHUKY6eo-LCn6WbtA6VUnE4DA7_ukcvw56LqDtgrEBsOiQHN7vC40tkPYJvAdquyQY8_7XNESPMWGO-UcfzwxVz_YRZ2l3pRXdrhbVucaXZ2BjHFg-TSgpv6eiZP5efZVQLTWr__OHlbBDMDrP5B86cWHfP7EKDg/s320/buffet-dinner-party-clip-art-png-favpng-gsvfNFT1w9ZSdePcUC0aFQFPK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7488893045002114276.post-66470216556976462402023-10-06T10:52:00.002-05:002023-10-06T10:52:00.211-05:00 Praying For or Praying About<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAls3rPFr55ppjnZ04npgNPcFMDMlrFxm3IJqw4hVN57iRV056HXEh28o3k6QnaKWIOPRjSOr79FNUhodPspIJduEjfHrBhUEeBgXv23r-TGAjeK9XQT0U1FOjRgrBUl9-xYVVdLIlDnuXELPWkzu-4_1kUC9TLzZRc9a-vw3blijRrBn03mMxHFMH3Lw/s1140/hands%20praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1140" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAls3rPFr55ppjnZ04npgNPcFMDMlrFxm3IJqw4hVN57iRV056HXEh28o3k6QnaKWIOPRjSOr79FNUhodPspIJduEjfHrBhUEeBgXv23r-TGAjeK9XQT0U1FOjRgrBUl9-xYVVdLIlDnuXELPWkzu-4_1kUC9TLzZRc9a-vw3blijRrBn03mMxHFMH3Lw/s320/hands%20praying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">I remember many
moons ago, my young daughter leaned over in the pew and asked me, “Was He praying
or preaching?” It was a rather good
question. The fellow had been leading a prayer in service but it wasn’t really
one. His statements were more indictments, his lines were more telling than
asking, and his attitude was more ‘let me tell you how it is’ than “let me ask
of you”.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> It wasn’t the first
or last time I’ve been involved in a prayer like that. I say involved because some
I pray like that. More focused on the me and less on the Him. Much like the
Pharisee in Luke 18:9-10, I can tell you all about me and all about them, show
you all my goodness and why they are all wrong. I pray for my enemies, how God should smite
them, and how unfair it is in how they treat me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> That however is praying <i>about</i> them, not
<i>for</i> them. Now don’t get me wrong, prayer is a place where we can lay our
hurt, our fear, our frustration before God. Yet we never need to think that is
all we do. Jesus commanded us to pray <b>for</b> our enemies (Matthew 5:44). In
1 Peter 3:9 we read, “<i>not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but
giving a blessing instead</i>”. Romans 12:14 says “<i>Bless those who persecute
you; bless and do not curse</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> If in attempting to
pray we are doing more proclaiming about others and less prayerful requests for
them, we might just be doing the wrong thing. A prayer that sees our own flaws and seeks the
Lord's help for others is an effective one that does much (James 5:16). A prayer
about me and about them is one that doesn’t do much.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Barry Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10529235235793676359noreply@blogger.com0