The Gentleness of God…

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A podcast from a service at Curwensville Alliance.

Occasionally, in the back of my mind, I detect this thought — an ungodly thought — that God doesn’t really love me. It’s a thought that says that I don’t measure up and because of my failures, God would like to smack me. Hard. Now. Twice.

Now, before you say, “Steve, I never have that thought; what’s wrong with you!?” think. Think about your own thought talk. When someone approaches you with a ministry opportunity, how do you respond? With confidence? Or with reluctance based in your own feelings of inadequacy? That’s what I’m talking about. Or what about those times you reflect on a conversation where you said the wrong thing and really hurt someone you were honestly trying to help? When you think about that, do you think to yourself, “I am such an idiot! I should just keep my mouth shut! How can God put up with my stupidity!?” That’s what I’m talking about.

I was thinking about where that voice comes from. It doesn’t come from the pastor I had while growing up. He preached grace with clarity. Maybe it comes from teachers or youth leaders? Maybe I picked it up in the dorm at the Christian college I attended? (Late night freshman chats in dorms can be very good or very bad.) Maybe I picked it up at home?

I doubt it.

It was my wife who suggested something like this:

It came from the Garden, Steve. It’s exactly what the serpent suggested to Eve. “Did God really say…”

Immediately, when Laurel suggested this, I new she was right. It’s the enemy of our souls that makes us wonder if God really said what he said. It’s the enemy who wants to convince us we are unloved.

This podcast is from a series on The Nature of Jesus. A series presented to help combat such lies when they come into your life. This message, in particular, is about Jesus’ gentleness — and how he cares for you. May God embroider the truth of his love on your heart as you listen.

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Does God Exist for My Happiness? – Prep 4 the Big 1

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Presented 5/25/2014 at Curwensville Alliance Church by Pastor Steve

PART FOUR OF A SEVEN PART SERIES ON MAKING SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE

In my church, we taking Dr. John Stumbo’s suggestion and addressing seven issues to prepare us for The Big One.

You know what he means by The Big One, right? It’s what my friends, John and Gale experienced this past week. John was flown, by helicopter, to UPMC Altoona due to some bleeding on the brain.

I thank God for a good church family, remembering him in prayer. And I thank God for Elders who visited and who cared for other things in my absence.

As I sat with John and Gale when I returned from Albuquerque, I said, “Well — this is kind of The Big One for you guys.” They seemed to agree. None of us are looking forward to The Big One, but we can face it triumphantly, if we are prepared.

This podcast is about being prepared for the moment when something like that might happen to you.

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Learning to Ask for Help Now – Prep 4 the Big 1

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PRESENTED AT CURWENSVILLE ALLIANCE ON 4/272014
PART ONE OF A SEVEN PART SERIES ON MAKING SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE

In 2008, John Stumbo experienced what most would call The Big One. John was a long distance runner, even doing ultra-marathons. He was a mountain climber, often on Mount Hood. He was a cyclist – a healthy guy. He never spent a day in the hospital.

And then The Big One hit when he was 47 years of age. On October 18, 2008, he went for a short run — just 10 miles. He noticed that day that he had a rash on his body. Next day, he felt like he was getting the flu. In a short time he could not bend his arm to brush his teeth due to the swelling. In about a week’s time, he had lost his ability to drive. He couldn’t move his legs, even from the gas to the brake. Whatever was hitting him was hitting him hard and fast.

One of his last conscious memories was a doctor with a chart in his hand saying, “I’ve never seen anyone with such low levels of sodium who is still alive!” His whole system was shutting down. Over the course of time, his wife was called into the room numerous times, because they were sure he was dying. As he regained some strength, it was evident that whatever attacked him attacked his muscular system from head to toe. Unable to eat, drink — for months. He couldn’t swallow his own saliva. That was just the beginning of his journey. You can read about the rest of it in his book, An Honest Look at a Mysterious Journey.

When you think of that stretch of highway along Dr. Stumbo’s journey, eventually, you ask yourself the question: What if that happened to me? What will I do when the big one hits me?

A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Stumbo addressed that issue in a blog for Alliance pastors and international workers. What will you do when the big one hits? In his blog post, Dr. Stumbo gave seven pieces of counsel that apply to us all in being prepared for the future.

This podcast is the first of seven messages revolving around those seven ideas. We’re looking at being prepared for the Big One — not by stock-piling food, but by learning to prepare our souls.

I hope you’ll follow each message and that God will use them to strengthen you for whatever the future holds.

~Steve

If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? If you stumble and fall on open ground, what will you do in the thickets near the Jordan? — Jeremiah 15:12 NLT
To listen, click the play button below.

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