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If you have been paying attention to the media, you have probably heard about the Christmas Star that is supposed to show up on December 21st. The Christmas star is a widely used Christmas decoration on the top of Christmas trees. The bible tells us in Matthew 2:2 that the wisemen when they arrived in Bethlehem said, “Where is the one who has been born the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
There has been lots of buzzing about the star occurring this year. They call it the Great Conjunction where Jupiter and Saturn are so close, they look like a double planet. They say that it hasn’t occurred since 1226 and the next time they are that close will be 2080. They go on to say that Jupiter is known as the planet of kings and Saturn is known as the protector of Jews. The Christmas star, a symbol of hope appeared and caused a lot of excitement for the Jews. They had been told of a savior coming and this star led the shepherds and the wisemen to the baby, Jesus. Now here we are in December of 2020 and the star is to appear again. What a year we have had. With all the COVID stuff, the derecho, the elections and the civil unrest, it is safe to say it has been challenging year. I believe that the star represents a symbol of hope as it represents the birth of Jesus. My Hope comes from God. He sent us Jesus, provided us with His Word, and God’s promise of redemption to us. His promise: God Loves You He made you and loves you. His love is unconditional, and God is real. He wants you to personally experience his love and have a relationship with Him. Sin Separates You Sin damages your relationships with other people and God. It keeps us from experiencing the life that God intends for us. As a result, you are eternally separated from God and the life he planned for you. Jesus Rescues You Jesus died, but he rose to life again. He offers you peace with God and a renewed relationship with him. Through faith in Jesus you can experience God’s love and have eternal life after death. Will You Trust in Jesus? You choose to trust Jesus when you believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and surrender your life to him. So, if you get a chance and are able to see the Christmas star on December 21st, reflect on what the Star pointed to. Times were hard for the Jews at the time the Christmas Star led the shepherds and the wisemen to Jesus. 2020 has also been a hard time for people all over the world. Is it just coincidence that the Star will shine again this year? Is this God’s way to provide us with hope? What do you think? Have a great weekend!
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Real Dudes,
I’m really not much of a car guy. I hardly know anything about vehicles, but for some reason I enjoy watching vehicle restoration shows. This article is similar to how many restoration projects begin…“Sometimes, custom trucks end up being created by accident because the owner took a truck they never intended on modifying and went crazy with ideas and their checkbook. Alfredo Diaz of Houston, Texas, is one such enthusiast who originally purchased this '04 diesel-powered Dodge Crew Cab dualie to haul parts for his machine shop. The truck was a daily driver until Alfredo bolted up a one-off set of 24-inch wheels. Once the rollers were on and the truck was looking decent, the project snowballed from there, and Alfredo had a show truck on his hands. The dualie has become Alfredo's main extracurricular automotive focus-and with good reason. This truck is used to showcase the machining capabilities of Alfredo's company.” Full article and images of the truck. This made me think of what Kevin Stensrud mentioned at Ox Strong last weekend. Kevin talked about how our sins have a snowball effect to them. How spiritually we can slowly but surely get farther away from the Lord than we ever imagined. Again, the “How did I get here?” moment of realizing where you were and where you are now. I know I posted some of these verses and songs yesterday, but really take some time to absorb them into your hearts and minds. What next steps would God have you to take after navigating through these verses and songs? Nate 1 Kings 8:38 (NKJV) states that, “whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple:” Judges 17:6 (NLT) In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. James 1:14-15 (ESV) But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 2 Samuel 11-12:25 (ESV) David's Spiritual Snowball Effect 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! Psalm 1:1 (ESV) Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Songs: Real Dudes,
We had 18 men present at Ox Strong this past Saturday (one new attendee), and many others viewing on YouTube / livestream as well. Below is a summarization of Kevin Stensrud’s testimony and challenge to us men. He did a fabulous job. If you’d like to still view it, then it’s available at this site https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy1VWJwH_Vk&feature=emb_err_woyt. Enjoy! Nate 1 Kings 8:38 (NKJV) states that, “whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple:” “The Plague of His Own Heart.” What was the plague/disease/cancer/sin in Kevin’s heart?
What fed Kevin’s inner-ego?
Some results of Kevin developing an inner-ego?
Lessons Kevin has learned along the way.
Kevin’s challenges to us.
Songs: I feel it safe to say that each of us has experienced trust being broken at some point in our lives. Each of us has experienced someone not having our best interest in mind. That hurtful experience sometimes never goes away / exits our minds. May we remember that God is not like man. He will never fail us. His love is perfect. He keeps His word. He is good all the time. He genuinely always has our best interest in mind.
Having faith in God is communicating to Him that you fully trust Him. Do you find yourself struggling with fully trusting Him in any aspect of your life today because of past experiences with other people? Do you compare Him and His ways with others? Have you ever placed your faith and trust in Him at any point in your life? Have you ever read His word to see for yourself His consistent character? What lack of trust can you confess to the Lord today? Let me encourage each of you to take some intentional / set-aside time this morning to meditate on the passages, songs and lyrics I’ve provided for you below. Hope this helps. Nate There is no one like our God. Jeremiah 10:6 (NLT) LORD, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Psalm 86:8 (NIV) Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. Deuteronomy 4:35 (BSB) You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NLT) But for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live. David…A man after God’s own heart. David was so in-tune with God’s heart that he trusted the Lord’s heart intentions throughout his life. Due to God’s faithfulness, David knew that he could trust the Lord’s heart and word. Acts 13:22 (NLT) But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ Reminders from Proverbs and the Psalmist to Trust in the Lord…Unwaveringly Trust His Heart! Proverbs 3:5 (NLT) Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Psalm 13:5 (NLT) But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. Psalm 26:1 (NLT) Declare me innocent, O LORD, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Psalm 28:7 (NLT) The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 37:3, 5 (NLT) Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 52:8 (NLT) But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love. Psalm 62:8 (NLT) O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude Hymn: Only Trust Him by Alan Jackson Song: No One Like Our God by Lincoln Brewster Music Video with Lyrics...Trust His Heart by Babbie Mason "Trust His Heart" Lyrics by NewSong | from the album Light Your World All things work for our good Though sometimes we can't see how they could Struggles that break our hearts in two Sometimes blind us to the truth Our Father knows what's best for us His ways are not our own So when your pathway grows dim And you just can't see Him Remember, He's still on the throne God is too wise to be mistaken God is too good to be unkind So when you don't understand When don't see His plan When you can't trace His hand Trust His Heart He sees the master plan He holds our future in His hands So don't live as those who have no hope All our hope is found in Him We walk in present knowledge But He sees the first and the last And like a tapestry, He's weaving you and me To someday be just like Him, oh... God is too wise to be mistaken God is too good to be unkind So when you don't understand When don't see His plan When you can't trace His hand Trust His Heart, oh... He alone is faithful and true He alone knows what is best for you, oh... God is too wise to be mistaken God is too good to be unkind (Lord knows He is so kind) So when you don't understand When don't see His plan When you can't trace His hand Trust His Heart When you can't trace His hand Trust His Heart https://www.newreleasetoday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=94356 I had one of those few and far between moments of clarity this morning and stumbled across an interview between the US Senate and Fred Rogers in 1968. The purpose of Fred’s statements to the US Senate was to share his passion for helping children and to convey his message that each of us is special and unique, and that is a great thing for building young people into responsible adults. At one point in the interview, Fred asked a Senator if he could share a song he had written for his new show. The Senator said, “Absolutely”.
I thought Fred’s song, while intended to guide young minds into channeling their emotions and anger, was fundamental and the truth for our current adult world and experience. In the end, nothing is new, and we will likely not have to deal with anything uglier than in 2020. However, the healing of families, our country, and ourselves will take time, sacrifice, and a lot of effort. Your choice is that you have no choice but to stand tall. The tenants of Ox Strong are much like Fred Roger’s story in that our mission is to remind men the fundamentals of the bible that God is pure, God is tolerance, God is rewarding, God is loving, God is healing, and most of all, God is available. When was the last time you opened your Bible? Are you lonely, are you lost, have you put God aside to deal with your emotions? I will step up and tell you I have set God aside in critical moments in my life, and yes, at times of this crisis, I am ashamed for my sins. Did God put me on this planet to feel this way? No! Our time here is a spec of dust in the winds of time, and what little time we have is a test we must pass. God is an A+, he is only asking you for a B, because we have to make millions of decisions from birth to death, and eventually, the temptation will step in the way of what is best. This means dealing with stress, loss, pain, and failure. This doesn’t mean you have to like it or put up with people or situations to pass the test of being Christ-Like. Jesus said ‘no’ better than anyone and my moment of truth was when Jesus proclaimed that no one should occupy his Father’s temple for profit. Matthew 21:12 Take your mad and turn it into something worthwhile for you, your family, and your community. Enjoy…. What do you do with the mad that you feel? When you feel so mad you could bite? When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong... And nothing you do seems very right? What do you do? Do you punch a bag? Do you pound some clay or some dough? Do you round up friends for a game of tag? Or see how fast you go? It's great to be able to stop When you've planned a thing that's wrong, And be able to do something else instead And think this song: I can stop when I want to Can stop when I wish I can stop, stop, stop any time. And what a good feeling to feel like this And know that the feeling is really mine. Know that there's something deep inside That helps us become what we can. For a girl can be someday a woman And a boy can be someday a man. Fred Rogers' video of him singing What do you do? |
AuthorNate Smith is a college baseball and football coach, a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters, a police chaplain, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. 
#girldad including granddaughter
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