Author Archives: Steve Shields

Got Trust Issues?

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PRESENTED AT CURWENSVILLE ALLIANCE ON 5/15/2016 BY PASTOR STEVE SHIELDS

You’ve heard people say it, right? “I have trust issues.“ Sure you have. And if you’re like me, you sympathize, but a part of you wants to reply, “And… you think that makes you different than…who?” Struggling to trust is not unique to the few.

Almost everyone I know has trust issues. We’d like to think it’s because of the day in which we live. How can we not struggle to trust when we see so much evil around us. But it’s no more unique to our era than the concept is unique to you or me.

It’s said that the most often repeated command in Scripture is Fear not. Do you ever wonder why? Sure, there are the everyday reasons. Fear leads us backwards. Fear doesn’t accomplish anything extraordinary. Fear stifles. But perhaps there is a more basic reason. Maybe fear is the opposite of trust. Maybe the commonness of the command, Fear not, serves to remind us of the commonness of trust issues.

sheep

Part of Jesus’ mission was to show us the glory of God — filled with grace and truth. And in His statement, I am the good shepherd, Jesus gives us good reason to trust God. He helps us with our trust issues.

This podcast addresses this in ways I hope you find helpful.
~Steve

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PODCAST: “Good morning. How can I help you?”

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A Talk I Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 1/27/2016

Your phone rings. Or the text alert sounds off. You check who it is, and it’s Willis. Willis doesn’t contact you often, but when he does, you almost always know what it is: He needs something. His son has a fever — could you pray? His lawn needs mowed — could he borrow your mower? He has a job opportunity — could you write a recommendation?

willisThese are the only times you hear from Willis, so you know, as you look at his name on your caller ID that he needs something.

And you — like every other good Christian, like you do every time Willis calls — respond with kindness. You pray, you lend, or you write that recommendation — whatever the case may be.

And you love Willis. Because that’s what Jesus does. He loves you.

I know that through various seasons in life, I have been the “Willis” in Jesus’ life. Sometimes I’m the one who comes to Him only when I need something. When my wife is sick — Help her, Jesus. When my schedule is packed — Help me get this done, Jesus. When my finances are a little iffy — Help me find ways to make ends meet, Jesus. 

And Jesus responds with kindness. He heals. He helps me find margin I didn’t have before. He provides. He loves me. That’s what Jesus does. He loves.

But may I suggest that if you are Willis on the caller-id of heaven’s prayer-line that you’re probably not the most spiritually healthy person who ever calls?  I don’t mean to judge. Judge for yourself. This podcast gives you a way to do just that.

More than helping you see for yourself, this podcast helps you see ways to become more spiritually healthy!

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PODCAST: Precious In The Sight of the Lord Is the Death of His Saints

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Whether I live or die, I'm ready.

Whether I live or die, I’m ready.

Today is the fourteenth anniversary of my father’s death.

Fourteen years.

It seems like yesterday.

As a pastor, I have heard people say, “I’m afraid to die” numerous times. I’ve felt it myself, when I was younger. But I never heard my dad say those words. He was not afraid to die.

Years before his death when he had his very first heart attack, I arrived at the hospital moments before they took him in for surgery. They stopped long enough for me to tell him I was praying for him. His face, taped with a tube coming from his nose, was marked with a relaxed expression of calm.

And his words brought peace to my anxious mind: “Whatever is before me, I am ready. Whether I live or die, it’s okay.”

I miss him every day, but I’d never wish him back. I wonder if they serve cake in heaven on the anniversary of your arrival.

How can we all face death like dad did? This podcast gives some answers.

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