Life Matters - job, kids, ...priorities

Hey folks...I hope everyone is having a great week. Those of us who have kids are realizing that summer is just about over and the school year is just a couple of weeks away. There are even a couple of us who will be taking our daughters to other states far away from home (gulp!!). I'm sure I'll be sharing some of my feelings about that in the near future.

I had a change in my job this week that will require me to stretch myself in some ways that might not be comfortable. Pray for me. I hope I will allow God to use me in whatever way He shows me. Easier to say, harder to actually follow through...

I found this devotional that really spoke to me this week. I hope it makes you think like it did me...

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but on thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NASB

Priorities

Paul had about as many responsibilities as you can imagine--dozens of churches needing his oversight, new cities yet to head the good news, life-threatening opposition all around. But in the midst of these cares and concerns, Paul's heart was gripped by one consuming passion; the person and presence of Jesus Christ.

That all-compelling prize motivated Paul to lay aside all the fears, all the uncertainties, and fix his attention on God. Obedience to this call was his one thing. What's your? To hold on to Christ as Paul did, you also will have to dispense with lesser things. You, too, will need to forget what lies behind and reach for the goal. Salvation isn't the end; salvation is the beginning! - The Book of Days - Living the New Rebellion, day 185

Have a great weekend!!

Todd Nince

http://reslehecnin.blogspot.com/

http://www.shawneeheights.org/

Life Matters - Other gods...

Hey all,

I know it's been a long time since I've sent out an email. I could use the excuse of having "writer's block" but I know you probably wouldn't buy it. So, no excuses except to say that I'm going to try and get back into the groove of writing more again. Let me just say up front that if you want taken off of this email, just let me know...no hard feelings or questions asked.

The other night at our Small Group meeting we talked about Elijah and those "other gods" we put before the One, True God. We all do it...whether it's money, sports, family, church, working out, jobs, food, material stuff, etc., we all put things that are "temporary" in front of God and many times, in place of God. We had some good discussion amongst the group about the things we struggle with daily and how we as Christians need to encourage each other. (That means during the week and not just on Sunday mornings when we see each other at church).

Also, going along with what God's trying to get through my thick skull (so says Tamra), Catherine Lischke posted something on Facebook that really hit home with me..."Are the things we're living for, worth Christ dying for?". Wow...think about that one for a minute. We get so caught up in our own lives, our own desires, our own busyness, we really don't think about what Christ's desire is for our lives.

On another note...I really would encourage you to get involved in a Small Group @ SHBC. You can connect with other folks who go through the ups and downs of life just like you do. Get involved, it's worth it!

God Bless,

Todd Nince

http://www.shawneeheights.org